Sometimes, strange things happen. In fact, strange things happen just about every day, and if we get around to notice it, we can appreciate just how strange they really are.
Like, for instance, people talking. People talk at just about every chance they can manage to get, so people talking shouldn't be a strange thing.
It can be.
Like, say, when two people in your general virtual vicinity, who previously have gone about doing whatever it is they do when they do what they do. Previously, you've seen them around, and know the gist of what they're about. - and suddenly, they find each other. And start talking.
Strange things happen when people start talking.
This happened to me recently. Two persons from different spheres suddenly interlocked in conversation, and I could see how both of them talked to each other. It was almost as if I eavesdropped on them - if such a thing can happen in the virtual.
Or, rather, they talked at each other, or pass each other. Like two persons sitting on a hill and admiring a beautiful view, with the one sitting just a tad bit above the other. And as they describe the view to each other, they find that there are differences in what they see. There are subtle differences in shades, colors, nuances - in some cases, entire features are missing. Yet they are still looking in the same general direction. At just about the same thing.
From my eavesdropping point, I can hear them talk at each other. And from my general knowledge of what they tend to be about, I know that they should be able to enjoy the view together, if only one of them could move their head just the slightest of inches.
Have you ever had that experience? When two people you know meet for the first time and don't quite get along do to a tiny difference of perspective?
I'd wager this is not the strangest thing to have ever happened in the world, and that it happens often enough that at least one of you can recall that time it happened to you.
Please do tell me how it turned out.
I can't tell you how it turned out, but I can share an observation ;)
ReplyDeleteOne of the most obvious traits of humankind is that we tend to think that we Know Best™. When defending this notion, we are stubborn to the point of foolishness and beyond.
People in favor of democracy often tend to mean that they appreciate the opportunity for them to push their agendas, but are utterly respectless towards people who do not share their values.
People claiming to advocate "thinking differently" often mean "thinking like me".
You know, I think you just pushed me that last inch that I needed to be pushed. To action! To the translatemobile!
DeleteI can tell you how it turned out, this time,being one of the participants. But I think we need to be clear, D and I have been exchanging notes in various forms for quite some time and consequently the 'suddenly find each other' is personally historically mistaken.
ReplyDeleteWith this in mind what you might consider is that we already had an understanding of the differences that exist between us but quite accidentally, because of something else began to explore them a little further...
You did? Hmm. That's good, I suppose - and I'm not above admitting that I'm wrong when I'm wrong. Being nudged, as it were.
DeleteGlad to hear I'm wrong for the right reasons, though. Makes me rethink this whole notion of knowing the gist of what people in my virtual vicnity are up to. In a good way.
There is no shortage of the world, after all.
Yeah I've had this happened to me. And sometimes I want to walk up to them and go like: "seriously, can you two just shut up and hug each other? Because you really do agree with each other".
ReplyDeleteThe best thing to do would be to get them into a café, sit them down and let them talk it out. Properly.
DeleteIf I ever fall into this pattern - do grab me by the ear and get me to that café. ;)