The Lost Art of Communication

In this era of smart devices and all the socials, the art of communication has been reduced to its lowest common denominator. I witnessed an ugly few days of vitriol, venom and some truly awful underbellies in response to my Australia Day post. And it quickly became apparent that in this new age of instant comms, where opinion and ignorance alike masquerade as fact and no-one is interested in even considering an opinion that differs from their own, the casualty is understanding. Sacrificed on the altar of cognitive dissonance, traded for slings and arrows.

A debater from way back, I learned very young and from some very great teachers, the joy of wrestling with ideas and points of view. That an elegant argument can be made if it is supported by facts and presented with wit and passion. That there is room for all points of view, even the ones we do not personally share. That much can be learned from their vigorous debate. And crucially, that listening is at least as important as speaking when differing views are on the table.

Last Saturday those principles took a bus to crazytown and found themselves adrift in a sea of insults, presumptions and little desire to understand or even to be understood. Traded for off topic rants, targeted abuse or very telling assumptions based on politics, sex and race. Some of them remain on the page by the skin of their teeth. Those unprepared or unable to engage without the above were fast shown the digital door. And missed the big learning opportunity on offer when your button is pushed by someone else. Shadow work, anyone?

Today our master of communication Mercury is reborn through the heart of the sun. His cazimi in Aquaria paves the way for fresh inventive approaches to the how of our own comms inventory. The next few days give us a window into the recurrent themes and results of our personal communication style and a slingshot into a whole new world of understanding. The trick to mainlining the magic is held in how you listen and process the new info coming thick and fast.

Communication works for those who work at it
~ John Powell

If you're keen to grab some new keys to effective communication, I'm offering hour mentoring sessions for those stuck in their rut. Let's talk your way out of it.

Image of Scarlett Johansson as Buster Keaton - both have Merc in Aquaria - by Tim Walker.
Words c. Kerrie Basha, 2019