Silence

After discussing our experience with Sal's silence activity on the first day, the entire class seemed to agree that the silence was awkward. But why was it awkward? What makes people think that silence is such an uncomfortable thing, especially in a classroom? Ever since we were children we have been brainwashed into thinking that if teachers don't get up in front of the class and lecture, or talk the entire time, that something is wrong. To students, silence is unconventional. It's not what is supposed to be. People need to stop having a problem with things, or in this case silence, that are out of the ordinary. Just because we aren't used to something, it isn't automatically bad or unacceptable. This situation is similar to one I was in over winter break. I asked my mom if I was allowed to stay out later than I'm normally allowed to and she didn't respond whatsoever. I am so accustomed to thinking that the "silent treatment" means I've done something wrong, when in reality she said yes shortly after. Humans are trained to think a certain way and often have a hard time adjusting to thinking in new and different ways. The saddest part about this is that most people don't even realize it has happened to them and nearly everyone around them.