“I think television has betrayed the meaning of democratic speech, adding visual chaos to the confusion of voices. What voice does silence have in all of this?” – Federico Fellini
A good question… This idea that silence is a part of our process. It is the yang to the ying, the rests to the notes, and the pause to the run. We Americans are losing the art of quiet, with all of our running off at the mouth. should we say something when we’ve yet to consider the wealth of what has already been said? And, to even speak without listening, or before knowing what thoughtful peace is worth, demonstrates our willingness to consider singularly, our own opinion. No one… Let me say that again… No one knows enough wealth of thought to speak all of the time.
I value those who can be with me, and enjoy the silence. I cherish those who can listen and not interrupt. When I’ve watched recent televisions programs, it is clear that even the writers and directors have no understanding of the importance of simply shutting up, and letting a moment of silence say volumes. (Are they in a rush to go to commercial? Where is the story without time to think?) I find myself walking away from news programs because I don’t see the participants listing to each other… They all seem to