Haves & Have-Nots

The expression "haves and have-nots" has been with us for many years now. Generally, when used, it refers to the impression that society is divided into two camps: persons of wealth and privilege in the one and those with neither in the other. While such an assessment may be cynical, it is no doubt reality-based. In terms of economics, there does appear to be two such groupings that differentiate life styles and opportunities. In fact, this economic-divide is the focus of much conversation among political and societal leaders these days. Whether anything even close to a resolution will ever emerge remains to be seen.


Does such a division exist when it comes to communication? Are there those with a louder "voice" than others? Is there one group of individuals who, when they speak, generate more attention and exhibit greater influence than others? Without question, the answer is "yes."  Media moguls, for example, are one. Their "voice" is heard through a range of media outlets, including newspapers and radio and television stations. Celebrities are another. Due to their fame, people tend to pay attention to what they say, particularly when it comes to endorsing products and speaking on behalf of various causes.


Then there are the rest of us who neither are famous or all that wealthy. Certainly we, too, have a voice, but how much weight do our communication efforts have? Can those of us in the "have-not" column adequately compete with our "have" counterparts? Further, how much of a tie-in is there between those of wealth and privilege and the weight of their voices with those with little of either and the lack of  influence their voices carry? The potential for any one to speak and sway others, of course, is ever-present. But the chances of such a dynamic is slight. Ultimately, what will be the impact of this communication-divide?