#TKN

Weighing our Words on the Scale of Human Interaction

Words have power. So much power in fact that we use them a lot. Each day it seems there are more ways to distribute words faster and farther than ever before. How valuable or how true those words are is another issue! In the old days, words were shared one-on-one between individuals. Then Mr. Guttenberg, through his moveable type printing press, made it so we could not only put those words on paper, but then reproduce them fairly easily for distribution. Eventually we had pamphlets and newspapers that could be distributed broadly, followed by the nearly unrestricted modes of radio, then TV, and now of course the internet.

In the early days of the internet blogs (anyone remember Xanga?) I cautioned my teenage sons to exercise care in what they posted. I warned that with each advancement in technology that allows the broader communication of ideas comes the danger that those thoughts could be misinterpreted and then disseminated without control. Even if the words were true, the reach was potentially infinite. Tell someone a secret and you run the risk that they will tell someone else. Write something on paper (remember passing notes at school?) and it could be read by anyone who snatches it up in their hand. Post something electronically and there is no stopping the extent to which it can be spread.

Some Guardrails for the Highway of Speech – TKN

Is what I’m saying or about to say True? In the court of law we vow to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. These are 3 sides to the same coin, but important in their distinctions. The oath calls us to say only what we know for certain. It also warns us to tell all we know about a given situation, omitting no significant detail. And lastly is the warning to not embellish the information so as to distort its presentation to the listener. Different personalities are tempted to break this oath in different ways. Some can’t resist the chance to garner attention through some wild story they’ve made up, while others leave out the details and thereby putting the speaker in a more unfavorable light. The more dramatic person may dress things up or exaggerate to make the story have a bit more pizzazz.

Secondly, is what I’m about to say Kind? Is it meant to tear someone or something down, just to elevate myself, my ideas, or someone I like? Am I willing to do this even at the expense of another? I hear lots of verbiage today promoting the notion not to judge a particular person or group just because. Good idea. However, from the same mouths I hear extremely unkind words used about a different group or individual they judge not be due that same respect. Kindness, it seems, is conditional and the application of it completely subjective. It’s not that serious, hard things should never be said. The key is context. Is this the best or most productive venue for these comments? And what is the intent – to promote education, provide useful information, encourage goodness, or is it really to inflict harm?

And lastly, and perhaps most importantly when it comes to the telling of things, is it necessary? Do these words need to be said? Am I simply looking to elevate myself or impress others with what I know? Are my words just filling an uncomfortable quiet void, or is there substance that may be helpful? Might these words lead to promotion of problems or be destructive to someone’s reputation or put someone at risk for harm? Loose lips sink ships, after all. Oh the number of times I have wished I could grab the words I have just uttered before they hit the listener’s ears!

It can be difficult to squelch that desire to launch a verbal or written attack against someone or some idea. But what’s the goal? Will you regret launching those words out into the universe after they’ve left your mouth, pen or keyboard? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Perhaps as a preventative measure for social well-being we would all do well to put the letters that represent true, kind, and necessary – “TKN” – on top of our computers as a reminder before we post that Facebook post, send out that tweet, or comment on that news site.