Communication

Community arises from Communication

Communication involves sending and receiving meaning. The methods of communication are myriad. We can receive communication verbally and non verbally. Non verbal communication may be the most powerful, but vital communication comes from speaking and listening or writing and reading. Communication requires both a sender and a receiver. The receiver makes meaning of the communication; that meaning may or may not be what the sender had in mind. The obligation is on the sender to be clear and thoughtful and aware of how the communication may be received.

Communication creates and sustains community. Community cannot live without communication. Brands thrive on marketing. Fan clubs grow around stars. Together we can accomplish far more than individuals alone so communication is required to accomplish goals. Positive communication builds a community of kindness, but fear-mongering or negative communication can seed and grow hatred and racism. Much communication depends on icons or symbols that convey shared ideas. Think of the American flag and the various meanings that it can convey.

Community building communication takes place via sport and the arts: music, painting, architecture, theater, sculpture, dance and more are vital to a strong community. Schools have a role in educating children to appreciate the arts. Likewise, teamwork and sport communicate norms around how to win and lose without rancor, how to depend on others, and how to be dependable, how to play your role in the community.

Communicate often, but carefully consider what you mean, how you convey it and how it may be received. Likewise when you make meaning, consider who the sender is, what the sender really meant, and why. When Ken and I were born the earth sustained about 2.3 billion people. I remember in high school when the population of earth topped 3 billion. Wow! Now 7.8 billion people occupy our planet. In high school I chatted with friends in person or on a phone fixed to the wall and shared with family. Now a teenager may have thousands of followers on Tik-Tok.

Humans cannot adapt as fast as methods of communication have changed. Communities and nations need to cope with the proliferation of lies over mass media. A snake oil salesman might have grifted a few hundred persons as he moved from town to town. Now a grifter can tap the pockets of millions over social media. But as always the leagues of decent people outnumber the grifters. Our messages of hope and constructive dialog can reach the masses as well.

Communicate often, but carefully consider what you mean, how you say it and how it may be received. Likewise when you make meaning of a communication, consider what the sender really meant, and why.