When ones point of references are so different, and trust is so hard to find, how does one find the common ground to communicate. There may be an exchange of language and words but it isn't communication because what is being said is filtered through two totally different set of values. ...

I guess the easy answer would be that we need to listen more but I am not sure if that is as easy as it sounds. It's not listening, it is the different and often contrary filters that the information that is processed in. I say one thing and it is processed completely differently. After having this happen a couple of times, it makes it very difficult to keep trying. It is like two different cultures trying to interact. The question is asked, "What is Thanksgiving Day celebrate". For Europeans, it is the celebration of a new world, a fresh start, prosperity. For Native Americans and Canadians, it meant the start of their land being stolen, disease, death, and poverty in many cases. Same day, two different meanings.

It makes me wonder if that chasm can be crossed.

[via wendycooper.net]