Maybe I'm Wrong

A comment to yesterday's post Musings on Conversational Writing is so good I'm copying it here.  Jeffrey Rubin, a fascinating person in his own right, says:

"Susan,
I agree that emails often don't rise to the level of genuine conversation - in which one is, in some important way, expanded - but I wonder if that is inherent in the form or more related to the spirit of the senders and the receivers? Could we - don't we - write some emails with a willingness to see the world from the different, and unique perspective, of the other person so that we might challenge our own cherished viewpoints? Then perhaps a generative dialogue might be stimulated...."

Jeffrey is right, of course.  In fact, his comment illustrates the kind of thoughtful perspective that I stated is rarely the stuff of emails.  He's right; I'm wrong.  Perhaps because the majority of my email activities are associated with my business, my perspective is stunted.  No, as I write this, I realize there is no "perhaps" here; my perspective IS stunted.  Because the nature of business does not allow for such multi-layered, inquisitive introspection.   Maybe I'll have to make a plan to write and read more email conversational exchanges in 2007.

Comments

[Brett Rogers]

I noted your post yesterday and loved the quote that said that we do better in a conversation when we go to it ready to emerge a different person.

I can apply that to so much of my everyday life: conversations, email, blog posts, comments on blogs, etc. Wonderful and provocative - thank you!

[Jeffrey B. Rubin]

Susan,

Further reflections on genuine dialogues and emotional growth in cyberspace: Bloggers seem to have had an immense impact on the political landscape in 2006. I suspect many people think of this as "community." This trend certainly gave voice to diverse -- and previously neglected -- voices. The danger, however, in this form of communication might be that the emphasis is on SPEAKING OUT rather than LISTENING TO...