What about Media?

30.6.07

What is communication?

For me, communication is an art.

An art of expressing one's self.

An art of conveying ideas and knowledge

An art of gaining friends as well as enemies.

In this entry, allow me to discuss how strong and dangerous communication can be.

According to our CA201 class, there are two ways of communication. One of which is the verbal communication and the other one is the nonverbal communication.

Speaking is a skill under the verbal communication. As we speak, we send words through a channel to the receiver. When using words, one must be very careful. Words are very powerful medium. It can create great relationships but always remember that words are sharper than swords. It can be very dangerous when it is used recklessly.

There are some things that we should put into consideration before saying some things. It is very important to be well-informed and to be sensitive enough in order to have a good feedback in a conversation.

Next is the nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is very broad. We can even engage ourselves into one without being aware of it. It is shown in the way we move, talk, and even dress.

A good example is Cameron Diaz who wore a green olive bag with the words "Serve the People" printed in Chinese. This statement is the most famous political slogan of Mao Zedong, a Chinese Communist leader, who brought a great disaster over Peru in the early 1990s.

Diaz unconsciously hurt the people of Peru who suffered because of Mao Zedong. Indeed, it is important to have an understanding of the various cultural factors that play a role in communication.

I have also learned that body language is also an essential part of the nonverbal communication. One can even finish a clear conversation without saying a word. Body language includes eye movements and hand gestures.

This picture was taken by an Italian photographer, Roberto Belleni. The man in his photograph is Giovanni Leone, former-president of Italy. If you will look closely, you will see that he is making a certain hand gesture in his left hand.

He became embroiled in controversy when, as President of Republic, visiting his native city during an outbreak of cholera, shook the hands of the patients with one hand, and with the other, behind the back, made the corna. This act was well documented, as all journalists and photographers were right behind him. The gesture was interpreted especially as offensive for the patients.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Leone

This hand gesture is what they call “Corna” or horn. By extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb, a horn will be formed. In Italy, it symbolizes the devil. Because of this action, Giovanni was impeached.

See how simple actions create great effects. This is how powerful communication is. Communication can create good bonds among the people but also create severe damage when it is used improperly and/or impulsively.

We must always remember that God gave us this privilege of communicating freely and it is our duty to learn how to manage these great skills carefully and properly in order to blend ourselves right in our society.

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