Today I was playing the observer in an otherwise useless meeting. Not so much useless because of the topics discussed, but because of the attitude – state of mind – people were in.

After about 5 minutes I looked at everybody in the meeting one by one, and they were all withdrawn in their own little – or big – world. The movement of lips did produce sound waves travelling across the room, but they never reached their destination. Not because they did not reach the physical point in space where they could be translated to meaningful brain waves, but because the door to the brain was closed.

As the observer I was fully receiving any wave pattern send out by the others. My brain translated them into meaningful words and body language. It was the world upside down. The so-called listeners did the talking, not speaking any word, not hearing any words. The body language did all the talking. The one speaking did not pay attention if his words were received and to the body language that was spoken. Useless communication. But not for the observer. Not for me.

As the meeting progressed and the agenda items passed by the only thing which was actually moving was time. The speakers started to turn their attention to me, hoping to find acknowledgement for what they were saying. They hit a dead end. I was the observer and I was not tempted to give them a sign of approval. I just looked. Observed. Solely enjoying the experience.

As the meeting came to an end, it was as they ran out of words. Some opened their mouth to say something, but decided it was of no use. There were plenty of opportunities to reply verbally with some meaningful comments, but I chose not to.

What is the use of talking when nobody listens.

Orginally posted here: http://300words.posterous.com/why-talk-when-nobody-listens

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