a year of silence

3/15/14

  To me, to be more quiet is to be more calm. To be more calm, is to be more patient. To many other people, quiet is calm, and calm is boring.
  Boredom is just a form of depression. I've known many people who have said that they need to keep occupied by something or they get bored. It doesn't matter if it's the t.v., radio or rearranging the furniture for the millionth time, as long as they are kept busy. If they are not somehow distracted, they get bored and depressed. A lot of these people do not even like to pause and read a book, as it is perceived to be too quiet and no fun.
  These are the same people who tend to get impatient in heavy traffic or in a long checkout line. Things aren't moving, there's nothing going on to hold their attention. Nothing to do but think....


3/16/14

  Silent reflection is often used as a form of punishment. If a child misbehaves, he or she is given a "time out" to sit and quietly think. If prisoners become hard to control, they are placed in solitary confinement, where (i assume) it is quiet and distractions are minimal, forcing them into silent contemplation. When we are displeased with someone, we give them the "silent treatment".
  Silence and the accompanying introspection, are commonly seen as punitive measures. In this country we all have "the right to remain silent", but no one wants to use it.