Re-Communication on Communication

I realized something after talking to a good friend about his relationship with a love interest and after reading a very well communicated blog on communication. I discovered some very rich nuggets of what I see are true that I hereby revise, but only for the sole purpose of submisssion into the UNIVERSAL LAWS OF HUMAN INTERACTION. I’ll discuss my realization after all laws have been submitted at the end of this blog.

These are MY laws and rules of “universal human interaction” and are subject to debate, but only if you have something of substance to add or a “good” argument to discuss deletion or alterations. In other words, use the laws and the rules which are being submitted hereforwithunto, or simply keep to thineself. I thoughteth that to be funnieth.

1. Interpretation is not fact. In communication, subtext is not real until clearly defined in the form of words coming out of a mouth or written on a page. Until then, it is not fair to assume that other human beings “get” what you are saying when being facetious, cryptic or bullshitting. Most normal human beings are not mind readers. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY. And when what you have said is questioned, either know how to back it up or concede.

2. Listen to what the other human being has to say.

Let them complete their point, then refer to rule 1 to get more clarification. Don’t let the “subtext” rolling around in your own human brain take priority over the facts (what is actually being said). Give the other human being the benefit of the doubt that they are obeying the first rule.

3. Respond to what the other human being has said, not what you thought was said.

“Don’t put words in their mouth. Don’t anticipate what is going to be said or your response. Don’ t swing like you know it’s a fastball when it’s actually a curve. You’re otherwise guaranteed to strike out and miss the point altogether.” ~ Alton Spencer, 2007 (untouched, verbatim genius)

4. Recognize that all human beings are human beings.

It is inherent in our species to make mistakes and we sometimes say the wrong things (fabrications or misinterpretations of fact), say things the wrong way (exaggerate or proceed without tact) or have our words and/or actions misconstrued, twisted, exaggerated, anticipated, tangled, fucked up, shit on, disregarded, ignored, misheard or just plain old misunderstood.

“As evolved as we may think of ourselves, talking and listening, especially when there’s a problem to be resolved, now seems often replaced by ranting and raving. Or worse, running and hiding.” ~ Alton Spencer, 2007