Dialogue

I think I love reading for the same reason I love old movies, dialogue. We get into the guts of the mind and communication. The norm now is action. People are watching reels and tik toks for the forty second visual stimulation. I too enjoy a good action movie! Conversation and the inner thoughts seem to have dropped off. Even with kids a two minute attention span is a stretch to pack in things that will keep them engaged. A book read aloud is well received with silly voices, expressive movements and pregnant pauses!

I dropped into a friend’s house the other day and an old western was on. Immediately I was sucked in, sure there was a gunslinger and action, but there was conversations that had a moral or perspective that makes you feel better for hearing it. My Momma could name all the old actors, and I stated this fact. My neighbour immediately was able to tell me the key people on the screen. I love that! Have you ever seen Guess Who’s Coming For Dinner? Very old movie, mostly conversation and I was riveted during the whole movie.

I know I am a visual gal, but there is something that draws you into the use of language. Maybe it sparks intellect, or peaks curiosity. It challenges your reasoning, it expands our understanding for sure. It is important to question, recount events and answer our whys. My hope is that these are not things that are falling away for the generation coming up. The art of speaking and listening is a valuable asset we can’t afford to lose. Learning really is for life.