Expectations rely on normative assumptions of action and rationality. How far can you see into the future? Do your expectations for the future extend to hours, days, weeks, or even years? Determining what is about to happen requires understanding the current state of the world. Political pundits attempt to analyze and interpret trends to predict the future based on historical patterns. Anticipating change requires a degree of measured rational thought and analysis without confounds and bias. Finding ways to communicate ideas in a rational way requires understanding the current forum.
Consider for a moment how the confinement of an airline flight forces dialogue. During the entire process of taking off and landing conversations stop and start with any shared standards for communication. Expressing opinions opens the door to arguments. Most people try to avoid major arguments and confrontation within the confinement of an airline flight. Perhaps the endless parade of arguments without any forum for response has shattered the peace that was civility within society. A better explanation for the serious communication problems in society today involves recognizing that listening is in danger of becoming lost in the endless procession of history.
Actually having a substantive conversation about significant issues facing society requires actively listening and considering different perspectives on various arguments and observations. Constantly streaming sources of mainstream media supplied information tend to reduce very complex ideas to a short phrase or even a single word. Understanding that every issue has reasons for support or rejection based on different arguments and observations depending on how different perspectives influence factors like complex value choices can test even the best listening skills.
Airplane flights can be full of turbulence and at the same time be devoid of turbulent debate or discussion. Airplane flights are full of random strangers doing what seem like essentially random things. Breaking the silence and monotony of conversations about the weather a series of small televisions suspended above the seats start playing a second rate movie. After a few minutes of watching the movie, it is easy to see that for some reason the screenwriter decided to voice over almost every scene in the movie instead of actually writing meaningful dialogue or background details. At the same time most travelers did not bring a set of headphones to listen to the in flight movie. Creating a scenario where some travelers are listening to a movie and other travelers are unaware of the extensive voice over. At this point attempting to have a conversation will probably create a degree of frustration.
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