Hello
Gentle Reader
Communication
is defined as the ability or skill in which information is imparted and
exchanged. Simple enough. The formats of communication are more diverse now
than ever, from telephone to in person conversations, text messages, instant
messaging, e-mails, letters, reports, meetings and social media communication
networks. The world today is saturated in media, information (factual and
false), and all forms of technological and virtual social exchanges. Yet,
apparently, communication is a dying skill, and conversation a lost art. The
decline of these skills and art forms are so terrible, post-secondary education
institutions have now undertaken the stewardship and curatorial preservation
and promotion of these skills and art forms, in order to resuscitate them back
into relevance in today’s society. In other words it’s a cash grab.
Post-secondary
education is expensive—but necessary. It is one of those necessary evils of an
ever increasingly educated world. This being said, one does need to ensure
their degree or education is relevant and equivalent to achieving a career of
some sorts or value. In other words: a degree in oriental pottery, medieval
poetry, or renaissance fashion, will not have any transferable skills to a
competitive job market. Instead explore more practical options: law,
accounting, taxation, policy/political science, finance, engineering, medicine,
veterinarian sciences, administration (public, health, or business/management),
pharmaceutical sciences, computer science, statistics, applied mathematics or
economics. Though, those programs sound as about as dull and dry as a popcorn
fart. Yet if it is one thing all these degrees, programs and majors have in
common: they all require the student to pay and study a communication course of
some sort.
Now,
not all communications courses are created (or taught) equally. Some have
actual merit. For example: I took a business correspondence course, which
covered an array of subjects and materials. The course went through different
types of business writing and correspondence from routine memos, to e-mails,
persuasive messages, to declining an offer, to business reports—all rather
practical knowledge when considered in the grander scheme of the work world.
The business writing course turned out to be one of my favourite courses, and
the text book is worn with reference and use, even today. A while later, I was
once again asked to participate in a communications course, this time: an
interpersonal communications course.
Interpersonal
skills are defined as a set of social skills an individual possess which
regulates how they interact with other individuals in a social, professional or
business environment. My honest opinion about my own interpersonal skills: I am
severely deficient, and unfortunately there is no vitamin supplement to take in
order to enhance this deficiency. I’ve been called: cold, aloof, impersonal,
and an extremely private person. All of which is true; and therefore: no
offense taken. Yet, as part of the program of the day I was required to take
this course, which would ideally cure me of my interpersonal deficiencies, and
wretch me from my introverted shell. Needless to say I was not cured. Instead
of discussing where one lacks in interpersonal communication, we went over the
theoretical ideas of communication. These theoretical ideas ranged from
perception verses reality, symbolic communication, nonverbal interactions, and
emotional responses versus emotional reactions. Then came the different types
of communication, specifically: Asynchronous versus Synchronous Communication.
Needless to say I did not succeed in increasing my interpersonal skills tool
box. I remain introverted, though highly articulate and eloquent in
speech—though I have been described as prosecutorial in nature, when it comes
to matters pertaining to moral arguments; but I insist I am a guardian of
veracity in an otherwise pointless and vernacular world.
Now
once again, I am forced to take yet another communications course! This course
is much the same as the two previous communication courses I have taken. It’s a
combination of business correspondence and interpersonal communication—both
heaven and hell. My most recent assignment was a: ‘reflective exercise,’ where
I have been tasked to reflect on my communication habits, and pin point and
document my poor habits, and then reflect on them and become a more ‘active
communicator.’ Well first off: I don’t interrupt people when they are talking;
I don’t play on my phone when I am engaged with someone in a conversation;
though admittedly, I do stop listening to someone talk and already begin to
formulate my response before they have finished speaking.
During
this exercise I found myself more drawn towards critiquing others then
reflecting on my own conversational styles and habits. The IT kid was far more
engaged in playing a game on his phone, or scrolling through Facebook, or
responding to a text message, or reading some article, then paying attention to
my concerns in the conversation. Then there is the odious co-worker—the
know-it-all, who feels the need to interject with his/her own insights into a
conversation which otherwise does not concern them.
I’m
left wondering: why am I taking this course? I broached the institution of
course, and presented them with the fact that I had already taken two courses
exactly similar to this, and they responded: “every student must take this
course as part of the requirement to fulfilling their program. We are sorry we
cannot offer you transfer credit at this time.” So, once again I must suffer
the torture of yet another communications course, where I am to learn about:
active listening, nonverbal ques, business correspondence, presentation skills,
and professionalism in the workplace (which includes outdated 80’s
instructional videos). If I were to imagine hell, this would be it; stuck in a
classroom with a bunch of half-baked, brain dead young adults, or post-teenage
students, who are blazed and beyond, and can barely mumble a sentence let alone
articulate an intelligent response. After which, I return to work, only to be
met with a continual breakdown in communication. I then ask myself: what’s the
bloody point?
The
point my Dear Gentle Reader: post-secondary education is a business. It is a
business where you pay seven-hundred and some dollars to take the necessary
courses to fulfill your program (usefulness aside), and hope to the heavens
above you get a damn good career out of it; or at least something sustainable
where you find some success. Part of the required courses for your program will
most certainly be a dreadful, useless, cash grab communications course, which
generally does not have any relevancy or real world application.
For
now I am stuck sitting next to the baked brain dead kid who continually wears a
Bob Marley toque (sorry: beanie), as he gradually slips in and out of
consciousness, whereupon I worry he will slowly transcend to the marijuana
heavens of Valhalla, where he will converse with his famed heroes Bob Marley
and John Lennon about world peace, congeniality, and the beauty of kush and
hemp; only to be zapped back to reality from the AED (automated external
defibrillator), where he will find himself with a mild concussion.
For
now I ask for patience, tolerance and strength to get through this mind numbing
course. If the art of the conversation is dying, and this is what is left on
this planet to converse with, I’d rather take a solemn oath of silence, and
live as a nun or a hermit.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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