by Polo Guillermo
Husserl has introduced the concept of the said and the saying. These terms underscore the importance of communication amongst individuals. The said pertains to the message or thought an individual wants to express and share to another person. The saying on the other hand is the manner how this thought is expressed and interpreted. There are instances when the said and the saying are directly proportional or are intimately intertwined. The said can be clearly reflected or implied by the saying. However, there are also instances when there is a disconnect between the two aforementioned concepts. The saying can be the opposite of the intention and content of the said. This can be done either intentionally and inadvertently.
More than the technicality of the definition and correlation of the two terms, Husserl asserts that the saying is more significant than the said. The said can be thought of and imitated by anyone. The saying on the other hand is a particular and unique experience which cannot be copied by anyone. Each encounter and conversation between two individuals is distinct. Husserl therefore gives more importance and meaning with how one interacts and connects with another person. This assertion affirms our nature as relational beings. We are defined by the relationships and interactions we have with other people. It is through communication that we build these linkages.
The innovation of technology has undeniably redefined communication. The invention of telephones and cellular phones has made it more convenient and accessible for people to keep in touch with people regardless of distance and time differences. These creations were initially intended connect people and make the world seem smaller. What is rather ironic is the fact that as time passed, it caused the opposite: technology marked the death of genuine communication, an interaction defined by a face to face exchange of words and ideas. Since instant messaging has made everything easier and faster, the younger generations unfortunately resort to these medium in establishing relationships with other people.
Leisurely talks and long conversations seem passé to most people now because of technology. This culture has unfortunately affected social skills of people for the worse. People have relatively become more aloof and uneasy with personal encounters because of the continued progression and advancement of gadgets. People don't normally establish eye contact as much and engage in conversations. They would rather isolate themselves in their own worlds in cyberspace. This mindset has created a generation who are dependent on gadgets to live and build relationships. This clearly undermines the assertion of Husserl that it is actually the interaction and manner of communication that is more important rather than the content of the conversation. More than anything else, it does not recognize the nature of people as beings conscious of others in the world.
I don't believe that the continued innovation of the field of technology directly equates to the death of communication. Its effects, may it be good or bad, depends on how we use them.
It is not bad to use these gadgets readily made available for us in order to make our lives more convenient. However, one should not be a slave of machinery to the point that one has to be in solitary confinement from the rest of the society.
I like how you stress in the end that, "one should not be a slave of machinery." I think a lot of us fall victim to this, especially with the presence of all the smartphones and apps that they have. I guess it's also important to know the "sayiiiing" when we communinicate with other people with these advancements in technology. It's even harder now that we are not actually in front of a person when we communicate. We really have to focus and work hard so we don't miss out what the said, is "sayiiiing." I guess I just want to stress again that the matter in which we use these advancements is of utter importance in communicating with people today. Let's not abuse these innovative gifts of language/communication.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this! Whenever I'm out with my friends, they tend to be on their cellphones more. They use Twitter and Facebook as a means of communication rather than talking to the person in front of them. The link is somewhat destroyed and it's difficult to talk to them. Sometimes I find it hard to even understand the context of what people are telling me because of the lack of eye contact and expression they give out. This eventually gives me a wrong idea and eventually misinterpret things. I think all we have to do to fix this is to not get too consumed with technology and to put down our phones when we're with someone. Spend time actually talking to the person who you're with rather than just texting to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that the said and the saying can be different because the saying can always be misinterpreted and I fully agree with you that "The innovation of technology has undeniably redefined communication." I believe that technology has also affected the divergence of the said from the saying as the message sent electronically is not as rich as the message if said face to face. We must not be slave to machinery, as you said, and I believe that face to face conversations should be done more often in being with others.
ReplyDelete-Diane Cheng (A)