Necessary Talking

[Jeff Kirkpatrick <jeffkirk@SNI.NET>]

Friends,
        The thought took shape in a dream, this morning.  In that dream,
the family had found itself stretched across a crowded place, while
endeavoring to get to a specific destination, and with less than adequate
means for us--or those around us, it seemed--to easily and efficiently get
to our specific, individual destinations, together.
        And while we jostled about, together, striving to find our
disparate ways, a sign was vocally noted by one thankfully thoughtful
observer--a sign which announced, with quiet (if shrill), authoritarian
zeal:

        "NO UNNECESSARY TALKING."

        Most of us in that crowd had been rather subdued, as it was.  Few
had observed, or consciously noted, the sign.  Anxiously focused on our own
ways, not many were choosing to chat across the aisles, as it was.  And it
was really only after that wag had astutely suggested how absurdly
presumptuous the sign's message was, that we noted, first, how very quiet
we were being, and that we started, second, to talk... .

        Just what IS unnecessary talking?  And who presumes, with the
actual purpose and plausible result of healthful helpfulness, to decide FOR
us, when--and what--communication might be necessary and beneficial, for
each of the individuals crowded into this world, on the way to our
disparate destinations?
        Our right to remain silent has been (in many cases grudgingly)
acknowledged.  What about our right to give voice?

        The point?  And specific to the LM_NET forum?

        Recently, we touched on the practice and practicality of noise
traffic lights in school cafeterias.
        And here, in the past week, some have questioned not whether, but
HOW we might seemingly--and successfully--eliminate, but not censor,
"unnecessary," inaccurate and unhelpful web sites.   (And, understanding
the point, we would perhaps each LIKE to help and agree with this endeavor,
in many of its aspects.)
        Meantime, some suggest there are too many, or not enough, of a
given type or variety of literature, available.  And an appeal is made to
have more, or less, made available, depending on individual needs,
perspectives and observations.
        Others make a perhaps questionable case as to their justification
for ordering when, where, how, why, and even WHAT others will, and will
not, READ.
        Some inquire about how (as if) we might finally succeed in
eliminating the hassles associated with missing or overdue materials.
Then, when others dare (?) frankly suggest that the practiced
pseudo-solution of routinely punitively suppressing borrowers often equates
to throwing the baby out with the bath water, some few may be observed to
quickly ORDER, with observably neither the right, the authority, nor the
sensibility to do so, that the very communication of the SUGGESTION somehow
represents unnecessary, and even offensively unacceptable, chatter.   And
so they then understandably claim it to therefore be their right to
abusively order the messenger to learn to stay mute, for having seemingly
been so presumptuously out of line; for simply having dared to speak--to
share an alternative view!
        What IS unnecessary talking, if I may (rhetorically) ask?  And who
properly and respectfully decides this, for us?
        Please.  I find it necessary to have this examined, and perhaps
understood, once and for all.  (Now THERE's irony for you!)
        Thanks!
        Take care.

JEK

*****
        Shutting up ought not be shutting down.

Jeffrey E. Kirkpatrick
Present Occupation: Self employed at freely sharing (in Aurora, CO)
e-mail address: jeffkirk@sni.net

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