But you said... A conversation about (mis)communication

When they were young I frequently told my children that language is important. The words we use express not only our thoughts but convey to others an image of who we are as people. Or was I wrong? Tonight we will be discussing the nature and limits of communication.

1. Who or what is most often to blame when miscommunication occurs: your thoughts? The words you choose? The hearer’s biases? The hearer’s interpretation? Why?
2. Do you think that an artificially created “universal language” like Esperanto should be taught as a mandatory subject? Why or why not?
3. Do you find it easier to understand written words or spoken words? Why?
4. When you vote, do you consider how well-spoken a candidate appears to be? Why or why not?
5. How do you deal with miscommunication when you are misunderstood?
6. Does society ever benefit from miscommunication?
7. "Bad human communication leaves us less room to grow." (Rowan Williams) Discuss!
8. Is English a bad language for communication? Why or why not?
9. Should we simplify English so that it has fewer words and fewer exceptions? Why or why not?
10. Do you think that it’s possible to be completely understood by anyone? Why or why not?
11. What do you believe contributes most often to miscommunication?
12. Is effective communication more about listening than speaking? Why or why not?
13. What skills can foster better communication and guard against miscommunication?
14. How much of your daily communication is non-verbal?
15. "Extremists think 'communication' means agreeing with them." (Leo Rosten) - Discuss!
16. In your experience, how often does miscommunication result from non-verbal communication (tone of voice, body posture, etc)?
17. Would you consider having a computer mediate your communications and your relationships?
18. In your experience is there ANY language that is useful to avoid miscommunication?
19. Do you use emoticons in your writing? Why or why not?
20. Do you think that it is beneficial to learn a second language? Why or why not?
--- BONUS QUESTIONS! ---
21. If English is your second language, do you find that you try harder to be understood - that you are more careful choosing your words or speak more slowly - than you do in your native tongue?
22. Do you find that you have more effective communication with people of similar age? Why or why not?
22. "In the whole round of human affairs little is so fatal to peace as misunderstanding." (Margaret Elizabeth Sangster) - Discuss!
23. Do you find that you have more effective communication with people of the same gender? Why or why not?
24. How much does your emotional state affect your ability to communicate effectively?
25. If we could communicate telepathically would we necessarily have better understanding and less conflict? Why or why not?

I hope that you will join us for this discussion.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Given the success of this format we are going to be continuing to gather via Zoom. We will be allowing up to 30 participants for this meeting and, after a brief introduction, we will be splitting off into virtual "tables" of six.
As long as you have RSVP'd before 5:30PM on the day of the event you should receive an email from Robert prior to 6:30PM giving you the Zoom meetup credentials.
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
If you are a member of Table Conversations and you didn't receive an email announcing THIS Table Conversations meetup then you likely won't receive the email with the Zoom information on the evening of the event. Please confirm that your Meetup.com profile is configured correctly by carefully following the step-by-step instructions in this link: https://www.meetup.com/tableconversations/events/270360456/
Otherwise, since I don't control Meetup's mail system, if you are not receiving notifications please contact Meetup.com for assistance.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
* Room opens at 6:45PM (often earlier) for socialization
* Discussion starts at 7:15 and finishes at 8:45ish
* Keep talking until dawn!