I watched the film ‘Cast Away’ when it was released in theatres 12 years ago. In a nutshell, the movie depicted Tom Hanks getting washed up and stranded on a deserted island. While there, Tom Hanks proceeded to create an imaginary friend, Wilson, from a volley ball that he found.
He talked to Wilson all the time, and to me, Tom Hank’s desperate attempt at creating a communication partner even on that uninhabited island is a clear indication of how desirable communication is to humans. Indeed, it is undisputed that in today’s globalised society, being able to communicate with others is of penultimate importance. In fact, humans manage to communicate through a myriad of ways. Hence everyone can communicate, but effective communication is much more elusive, and that is what we all seek.
He talked to Wilson all the time, and to me, Tom Hank’s desperate attempt at creating a communication partner even on that uninhabited island is a clear indication of how desirable communication is to humans. Indeed, it is undisputed that in today’s globalised society, being able to communicate with others is of penultimate importance. In fact, humans manage to communicate through a myriad of ways. Hence everyone can communicate, but effective communication is much more elusive, and that is what we all seek.
I define effective communication as being able to get one’s point across effectively and efficiently. Effective communication skills are important to me because I believe they enhance the quality of life by decreasing the likelihood of misunderstandings when communicating. Furthermore, it would aid in strengthening the connection I experience with my communication partners, which would, in the long run, satisfy the human need for belonging.
Another reason much closer to heart, and one that I’m sure all of us can relate to, would be that effective communication skills would pave the way for a brighter future. As a psychology student, I am interested in applying psychology to the real world and am currently seeking an internship in consumer and business development. This job would entail extensive interaction with clients. Being able to communicate effectively would definitely enable me to engage in better client management, and it is more likely that I would be able to do a good job than if I went around giving clients the wrong impression. It would also place me a cut above my peers and colleagues in my future work place.
In conclusion, effective communication skills are definitely beneficial. I look forward to graduating from ES2007S as a better equipped individual ready to face the communication challenges of the world!
Hey sweetie,
ReplyDeleteBravo to a piece well informed. I think we can all determine from what you've written that you are a practical lady with common sense. If you had with you some dough and baking powder, you'd find a way to sell it for far more price than rolling yourself a nice loaf. You are somebody who'd go after every last drip of economical value you'd see in anything, and perhaps as well, anyone. There are good and bad points about that, actually.
But when you get to the point where you start to pass on the dough and baking powder to feed another household you'd have attain enlightenment and arrive at a level of cultivation with which we honor and venerate saints in our history, men and women of great heart and soul, who do sacrifice and toil for the improvement of others' lives. Brad, your professor, in rendering his expertise and sharing his experiences with his students, is quite close to such a point right now. But of course, he is well compensated economically, but I refuse to imagine that being the overarching factor in his current profession, because everyone grows in wisdom and knowledge. An opportunity to grow old and wise is also one to replace the economical and self-interested drive with beneficience for others.
But lest you start to worry, dear Gail, about the difficulty of becoming a full fledged adult, you shouldn't. You have a very clear idea, and in Brad, an obstructed highway, of how you want to milk the potential of good communications skills to its last ounce, so that you can appear confident, powerful, and admired among your clients, which would get you a higher income if anything else to be able to feed your family in future. That is very fair and you have not lost any ethical or moral standing, only those to gain as you grow and wise like Brad.
Have a great semester Gail!:))
Hi Gail,
ReplyDeleteI liked the way of how you used the film 'Cast Away' to stress the importance of communication. I can’t imagine how he must have felt in such a situation. It reminded me of an article that I have read from somewhere. Early prison experiments indicated that prisoners may prefer lashing over solitary, because it did not induce permanent damage and would not incite madness like solitary confinement arguably could. Indeed we humans need someone to communicate and relate to and that was very well illustrated in your post.
This is an excellent first post, Gail. You start with the reference to Castaway, demonstrating clearly how essential we humans find communicating, even when and if alone. You then connect that point with the value for effective comm skills. Finally, you wrap up the exposition with a description of your own goals and needs. You also do this all in a clear, concise and well crafted manner.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the effort!
Hi gail,
ReplyDeleteI think you have planned your blog post very well. I am quite impressed by how you started off with the movie “cast away” and link it to what is the purpose of communication. I think this introduction is quite impactful and really capture the readers’ attention.
Good job!
Michelle