Sure, you use signs (words, pictures, etc.) to attempt to communicate some meaning to someone or someone else. You have chosen these signs based on the meaning you assign to them.
Your listener(s) receive a certain amount of the signs you have given, but not necessarily all the them, because select the signs that have meaning for them, organize it according to their personal schemata, then assign meaning to the signs that you transmit to them. You ask them if they understand. They nod (give a sign of understanding). You interpret that sign as meaning that they understand your meaning.
You explain back to you what they understand. They give you signs. You interpret those signs, according to your personal schemata. You decide either that, 1) they understand, 2) or they don't. If you are not satisfied that they understand (share your meanings that you have assigned to the signs), You may take away some signs (simplify) or add more (clarify).
This cycle continues until you are satisfied that your meanings have been transmitted, or you give up, walking away, shaking your head and mumbling.
There is no objective way to verify any of this.
Nothing is happening here.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
Why am I here?
Dear Reader,
If you stumble upon this and want to know what's going on, it is this. I am newly registered in COMS 135 at San Diego Mesa Community College, Interpersonal Communication, and one of the requirements is to blog! I'm excited about this.
You see, I already fancy myself to be a good communicator, having some writing-related projects on the Internet (see). This class, for me, will be a validation of that belief, not withstanding the fact that this course is now a pre-requisite for applying to the Physical Therapy Assistant program. I believe I would take this class for fun, if I ever allowed myself to have more fun. (Remind me to revisit this reflection in a later post).
Why Physical Therapy? I want this as a fourth career, to help people, and to make some money along the way. I'm a non-traditional student, in my early 50's, and have already done lots of cool stuff in my life. With a life-long interest in human movement via some martial arts and yoga, a late-life interest in health and fitness (this happens when you get old), and a desire for remunerative employment before I retire, this is what I chose.
It is difficult to get into the PTA program. This will be my second time applying. Last year, there were 26 students chosen by lottery a la Hunger Games from a field of 174 applicants. Yes, other people thought the PTA program was a good idea, too. I do have a Plan B, which is the Medical Assistant Certificate program. Not quite as cool or flexible as working as a PTA, but still has the qualities of helping people and being somewhat in demand. They can't outsource hands-on medical work yet.
Helping people requires getting inside their mind to some extent, and how we do that is through communication. I understand why they've made this course a pre-requisite. What I've learned thus far in the field is that healing quickly or slow, surviving or thriving, is largely a choice of the patient themselves. In PT, it is getting people to actively participate in therapy and continuing with exercises. All the science and technology will not help people who don't want to help themselves.
So, what are the Jedi Mind-tricks of persuasion? How, as a communicator, can I overcome resistance and encourage enthusiastic participation in health and healing (or political engagement, or whatever). I said I already think I'm a good communicator. I hope learn what I don't know, which is all we can ask of any course of instruction.
If you stumble upon this and want to know what's going on, it is this. I am newly registered in COMS 135 at San Diego Mesa Community College, Interpersonal Communication, and one of the requirements is to blog! I'm excited about this.
You see, I already fancy myself to be a good communicator, having some writing-related projects on the Internet (see). This class, for me, will be a validation of that belief, not withstanding the fact that this course is now a pre-requisite for applying to the Physical Therapy Assistant program. I believe I would take this class for fun, if I ever allowed myself to have more fun. (Remind me to revisit this reflection in a later post).
Why Physical Therapy? I want this as a fourth career, to help people, and to make some money along the way. I'm a non-traditional student, in my early 50's, and have already done lots of cool stuff in my life. With a life-long interest in human movement via some martial arts and yoga, a late-life interest in health and fitness (this happens when you get old), and a desire for remunerative employment before I retire, this is what I chose.
It is difficult to get into the PTA program. This will be my second time applying. Last year, there were 26 students chosen by lottery a la Hunger Games from a field of 174 applicants. Yes, other people thought the PTA program was a good idea, too. I do have a Plan B, which is the Medical Assistant Certificate program. Not quite as cool or flexible as working as a PTA, but still has the qualities of helping people and being somewhat in demand. They can't outsource hands-on medical work yet.
Helping people requires getting inside their mind to some extent, and how we do that is through communication. I understand why they've made this course a pre-requisite. What I've learned thus far in the field is that healing quickly or slow, surviving or thriving, is largely a choice of the patient themselves. In PT, it is getting people to actively participate in therapy and continuing with exercises. All the science and technology will not help people who don't want to help themselves.
So, what are the Jedi Mind-tricks of persuasion? How, as a communicator, can I overcome resistance and encourage enthusiastic participation in health and healing (or political engagement, or whatever). I said I already think I'm a good communicator. I hope learn what I don't know, which is all we can ask of any course of instruction.
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