The Physics of Communication

The longer I study communication the more convinced I am that none of us communicates in a vacuum. Everything we say and do - even if we are alone when we say and/or do it - affects others. Granted, the impact may be slight, but it is real and inevitable. This reality represents the physics of communication. Communication is a social science but it is also a social force. It is an act that triggers reactions in terms of reactive thoughts and sometimes even behavioral changes in others. I see little, if any, difference in this than the physical affect a person ignites by driving their car into the side of a building.

In the eighteenth century, scientist and philosopher Sir Isaac Newton put forth what he termed laws of motion. Of the three, the one most well known is: "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." In simple terms, Newton's observation identified a fundamental reality of our physical world. There is no physical action or movement that does not create a counter action or movement. Two people dancing is an example I see no reason why this does not apply equally to communication. For instance, if we think of our acts of communication during the course of an average day, then what appears is a list of vivid examples as long as any interstate highway.

All of us are in relationships. They may not necessarily be ones of romance or marriage, but instead may include connections we have with neighbors, family members, the cashier at the local grocery store or co-workers. The acts of communication we exchange with any of those other individuals cause a range of mutual adjustments that continue for the duration of our interaction. My concern is that I am not certain how much we really appreciate this reality. It is my hope that knowing everything we verbally and non-verbally communicate affects other, even slightly, then this will make us communicators who are more respectful and thoughtful.