Words

I deal in words--every day.  I love words; but sometimes, words overshadow everything else--to the point that I'm overwhelmed with words.

 

Information comes to us in words.  Of course, a sighted person can also receive information visually, through pictures or through actually seeing something occur.  Even for the sighted person, however, words become more and more important in this age of information.  Even graphic displays are full of words.

 

Words and verbiage play such an important role in my life that I sometimes lose touch with other aspects of life which can also be rewarding.  I play the piano; but lately, I find that I'm not playing the piano very much.  In fact, I don't spend nearly as much time as I used to  enjoying music in any form.  

 

We can't open the windows in this house.  I enjoy hearing the sounds that come from outside; but I'm not able to do that either.  You might say that I've exchanged the sounds of the birds for the sounds of more words.  The TV and radio, my computer, telephone services, all of it is driven by words.

 

I was thinking of all of this several days ago and wondering if perhaps things were a little bit out of balance.  I'm not sure that it's really a bad thing.  Certainly, as a blind man, I rejoice in the ability to read by means of a voice synthesizer.  I'm thankful that I can dial a telephone number and hear hundreds of newspapers read to me from anywhere in the country.  I've always enjoyed the radio.  I know that sighted people have much the same problem as I do.  The information we absorb, particularly if we're "professionals," comes to us increasingly through words.  But I wonder about the impact of this "Age of Information" on others, especially the younger generation.  I know that they see hundreds of thousands of images.  Some people worry that because of all the visual images, the process of linear and logical thinking may be adversely affected in young people.  On the other hand, when we are given so much information--whether through words or images or a combination of both--we reach a point of saturation.  Marva Dawn comments that one of the problems in our day is that we are given so much information over which we have no control that we become desensitized, even to some of those things over which we could have some influence.  I suspect that culture suffers through this glut of information and the surplus of words.

 

Are there people who are taking time to enjoy or create great art today?  What is the status of the classics?  Are people taking time to cultivate culture and the appreciation for it? Where are the great symphonic composers of our day?  Can one even find great musical recordings any more--whether classical or religious?    How often do any of us take time to sit and enjoy the quietness of the words, the sounds of birds and crickets, the wind in the trees, the murmur of a brook, or even the sounds of the neighborhood, the small town, the city?

 

Today, I have a meeting.  It will be virtually an all-day affair.  I've read the agenda.  There will be recommendations, discussion, more words--most of them rather insignificant.  I find myself at odds with much of what will be proposed.  More words, more talk, but no real decisions will be made, no real principles enunciated.  It's all just words.  Maybe that's one of the things that bothers me.  Most of the words we hear today do not challenge us to take great stands or great risks for things in which we believe.

 

I think I need to hear more music, to be moved by great thoughts, to open the windows or sit out on my porch and hear life teeming all around me--without this never-ending cacophony of words! Do you feel the same way?