Raising the Ante

People will go to all kinds of lengths to communicate. It may not always be clear what they are trying to communicate, but nonetheless they will do all they can to let those around them know something is on their mind. Whether it is a person who initiates a killing spree at a public facility, a man who attempts to illegally enter The White House or, a young woman who decides to have a third breast surgically implanted on her chest, people seem to not hesitate to go to most any length to let others know they have something to say or share. On the one hand, this is good as it is important for us to express ourselves, but on the other - a third breast? Really?


Perhaps if I were smarter I would have a better grasp of the reasons that drive folks to take such extreme steps. Or maybe not. Still, make no mistake, it is all about communication. Everything we do ultimately leads back to wanting or needing to communicate. Whether it is our feelings or wanting to share information of some sort, communicating is always the driving force behind our actions. My own guess is that when people begin contemplating what they can do to communicate a message, they do not automatically go from zero to 100 miles per hour in their thinking. In other words, what ultimately may come out as a drastic step, is usually the final step in a series of earlier efforts they have taken to signal what is on their mind. The difference is the person may feel their previous signals may not have received the attention they deserved.


No question, it is frustrating when we feel those around us are not paying attention to us. Nobody wants to be ignored or overlooked. Naturally, when that occurs - or when we feel it is occurring - we conclude we must communicate differently in order to get the attention we want. One may tap another on the shoulder and say, "Hey, I have something to say." Another may start talking more loudly. And others might take a drastic step to communicate a message that, ironically, ends up getting overshadowed or lost in the horror or outlandishness of their actions. Perhaps if we did a better job of listening, then maybe those others would not be as inclined to go to the extremes they do.