Re: Neurodiversity and the Dumbest Generation

phaedral — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:53:25 -0000

Thanks for the reply. I'll start at the end and work backwards, asking, "Alternative to what?"

One concern seems to be that over reliance on texting and the like is eroding a whole generation's competence at an invaluable skill set. To the extent that such a concern is grounded in fact (and that extent could well be zero) I would say any such erosion is cause for alarm. To the extent that there is a silver lining in possibly granting greater access to some who would never have managed that skill set in the first place, I would say a silver lining doesn't obviate the need for an umbrella.

Re: Neurodiversity and the Dumbest Generation

phaedral — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:30:01 -0000

First, you offer a false bifurcaction: Set A, “feelings, attitudes, reactions and judgements”, contrasted with set B, "ideas, observations, criticisms, analyses, insights, explanations, etc". Not a one of those words is sufficiently concrete to support the kind of reasoning in which you purport to engage.

Second, Hall's informed use of the term notwithstanding, "non-verbal communication" is inseparable from "verbal" communication. The verbal/non-verbal distinction is akin to the text/context distinction, which is to say, there never is one without the other. You might enjoy scanning Hall's "The Silent Language", particularly the section on learning styles, in the nomenclature of which I would say your preference for what Hall calls "technical communication" is only that, a preference. A healthy human successfully navigates in all three, formal, informal, and technical.

Third, saying text allows greater access to those non-proficient in navigation of in-person contextual cues is arguably akin to saying printing dmv materials in various languages allows various non-English speakers greater access to the roads. True as that may be, it does nothing towards increasing access to the communication systems which in fact govern our world, those of interpersonal relationships and communication. (That is, Hall's formal and informal learning styles, and the communication systems associated with them, have far more influence than the technical.)

But, hey, anyone who cites Hall gets high marks from me, and I often enjoy a provocative post even when I strongly disagree with its premises and conclusions. Peace.

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Re: Neurodiversity and the Dumbest Generation

Re: Neurodiversity and the Dumbest Generation