Thursday, November 18, 2010
Does "sorry" really mean what is used to?
Sometimes during our class discussions, I wish Ms. Serensky could press a "pause" button, just so that everybody can observe everyone else's facial expressions. These discussions remind me of a pack of warthogs fighting over one tiny carcass in the Mohave desert. Only the strong survive, while the weak ones get trampled, and then eventually die. Manners fly out the window, as the word "yeah" is used to cut people off before they have the chance to contribute their piece of mind. Not to mention, when three or about ten people start blurting out their ideas at the same exact time, the mother warthog prevails by shouting, "Oh, SORRY" and then continues to use each and every quote he or she prepared while the other warthogs groan because they now have to dig for another important point. Why do people say "sorry"? They actually feel no remorse for rudely interjecting incoherent phrases. In life, only the points seem to matter anymore. This phenomenon needs to cease. How can a class discussion ultimately be productive if it usually consists of a battle for the maximum amount of points with sweat beating down people's faces, feet anxiously tapping, and personal character put to the test? Well, we, the superior beings of the senior class at Chagrin Falls High School are warriors. We trample the weak, and hurdle the dead. Only the strong survive.
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I completely agree with your observations about class discussions! Although I believe we have,as a whole,have improved on our discussion skills since the extremely stressful ones of 11th grade, the points you make still hold extremely true. The conversation often becomes many individual points, as opposed to responding to each other and actually listening to the points each individual makes. I hope we continue to get better at looking past the points and actually analyzing the topic at hand.
ReplyDeleteI also agree about your opinion on class discussions. I feel like many people, including myself, often find themselves speaking not because they have something intelligent to say but simply to get points. I agree that compared to 11th grade these discussions feel much more relaxed and calm, but still there remains tension and stress in the room whenever one begins. However, I feel that even though the discussions can contain anxiety and frustration, overall they help prepare us in the long run to speak our minds and act assertively.
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