Hu'man Beings Talk
Last November 15th, the Sunday Stream, Task Master, had a quote by D.T. Suzuki which included: "Human Beings talk - this is their will," which I initially considered to be a short-sided view towards people. After all when we look around at our numerous accomplishments, our good deeds, our efforts to aid each other and teach each other those things we ourselves have learned... even the arts we have created which speak their own language and provoke talk, and all D.T. can say is "Human Beings talk"? It seemed to be a slight miscalculation reducing all that we think we are, all that we have done, all that we've learned... and simply say "human beings talk"? But since 'hearing' those three words they have echoed in my own head at least once a day, particularly when I observe others in daily life. Whether they're sitting in cars, buses, public places, even their work environment, there is that constant buzz of chatter that surrounds us. Alone in our cars, there is the likelihood of at least a radio playing music, listening to the news, hearing the advertisements pushing products or even those who speak to themselves or sing in the comfort of their own space. Words are a dime a dozen, or really much, much cheaper than that.
But not only are our words cheap due to the ability of each of us to make use of words, but words are also very valuable. We put value on certain words we hear from others, including the written word, to be confirmations of honesty, their own honesty to speak the truth. These valuable words are guarantees, treaties, business contracts... anything that places a value on promises to be kept.
We are so accustomed to our words.. our incessant talking, that we have learned to distinguish fact from fiction (most are anyway, depending upon who is saying what). Libraries are filled to capacity with words (which speak to the reader). We even have huge depositories dedicated to words (I'm thinking the Library of Congress in the U.S.). Words that have been saved from decades and even hundreds of years passed... they are still very important to us as hu'mans... it's a record of what we do: talk.
We pay our hard-earned money to hear others talk, be it newscasts, comedy, fact or fiction... as long as we can hear others we are in familiar territory. Without talk, we talk to ourselves... maybe not aloud, maybe out loud, but talk is our Nature. It's what drives us more that thinking... this ability to use our voices to make sounds that make sense to us.. we use that ability constantly... even when it makes little sense, we talk, talk, talk.
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" is a quote from Oscar Wilde, a person well-known for his words. This particular quote, which not only favors drink, but to me epitomizes talk, for where else is talk so bountiful but amongst drinkers? Is it not an environment conducive to talk where one is more inclined to have a drink? In a climate such as an Irish Pub, sipping on a pint of Guiness or a shot of Bushmill's, chatting with one's friends, the idea of 'work' is a damnation... a curse word which has the tendency to destroy a good conversation. To imagine oneself leaving such a comfortable environment where talk is positive and even funny is such a departure from work where seriousness is key and talk is not encouraged for that is not what the employer is paying the person to do.
How many times have I been in that place where drinks are as plentiful as talk, where joy is heard in the same air filled with the sound of talk? Indeed, D.T. Suzuki, "Hu'man Beings Talk!" It is our will to do so and there is not a hu'man amongst us who is immune to saying what is on their minds to anyone who will listen.
cecil
07 march 2010
Picture of the Week:
Fence Art
photos: cecil
photos: cecil
My old heart prohibits such excessive activities any more, but memories haven't faded.
