The Art of Listening in a Noisy World: Why We Communicate More but Understand less
Table of Contents
In an era defined by constant connectivity, we find ourselves in a paradox: we communicate more than ever, yet understanding seems to elude us. Social norms dissolve as dialogue rules multiply. Social media platforms give everyone a voice, yet manny feel unheard. This contradiction has been the subject of extensive research and debate, but one critical aspect has been largely overlooked: the art of listening.
Bernhard Pörksen, a media scientist at the University of Tübingen, delves into this underappreciated facet of communication in his book, “Listening – Art to open Up the World.” Pörksen’s work is not just an analysis but a call to shift our perspective on how we engage with one another in an increasingly noisy digital age.
The puzzle of “Knowing Ignorance”
At the heart of Pörksen’s exploration is the concept of “knowing ignorance.” He illustrates this through the decades-long sexual abuse scandal at the German Odenwald School, which persisted as an “open secret” despite media reports as early as 1999. It took a full decade for the events to be truly acknowledged and addressed. Pörksen examines why such critical information often goes unheard, even when it’s publicly available.
He introduces the idea of the “deep story,” an emotionally charged framework that shapes how we listen. “Listening is one of the few free acts that a person can perform,” Pörksen quotes Spanish philosopher Francesc Torralba. This deep story acts as a filter,influencing what we hear and how we interpret it.
The Attention Economy and the Challenge of Listening
The digital age has amplified the competition for attention. While more people than ever can raise their voices, as seen in the Odenwald School case, the sheer volume of information makes it harder to discern what truly matters. Social media platforms excel at capturing attention but fail to distinguish the essential from the trivial.
Pörksen highlights the phenomenon of “intellectual immunization,” where individuals reject information that challenges their worldview. A poignant example is the failed project “Papa Pover” (“Papa, Believe Me”), where Ukrainians attempted to discuss the war with their Russian relatives. Despite their efforts, Russian propaganda proved stronger than familial bonds.
“Real listening takes time, calm, and concentration,” Pörksen writes. This is not just an observation but a reminder of what we lose in the cacophony of modern communication.
A Shift in Perspective
Pörksen’s book is not a guide but a call to rethink how we approach communication. By emphasizing the importance of listening, he challenges us to move beyond the noise and truly engage with one another.
| Key Insights from “Listening – Art to Open Up the World” |
|—————————————————————|
| Paradox of Modern Communication: More communication, less understanding. |
| deep Story: Emotional frameworks shape how we listen. |
| Attention Economy: Social media amplifies noise, making it harder to listen. |
| Intellectual Immunization: rejecting information that challenges our worldview. |
In a world where everyone speaks but few truly listen, Pörksen’s work is a timely reminder of the power of listening. it’s not just about hearing words but opening ourselves to the world and the people in it.
“Listening – Art to open Up the World”* is published by Hanser Verlag and is available for purchase here.
The Art of Listening in a Noisy World: Why We Communicate More but Understand Less
In an era defined by constant connectivity, we find ourselves in a paradox: we communicate more than ever, yet understanding seems to elude us. Social norms dissolve as dialog rules multiply. Social media platforms give everyone a voice, yet many feel unheard. This contradiction has been the subject of extensive research and debate, but one critical aspect has been largely overlooked: the art of listening.
Bernhard Pörksen, a media scientist at the University of Tübingen, delves into this underappreciated facet of dialogue in his book, “Listening - art to Open Up the World.” Pörksen’s work is not just an analysis but a call to shift our perspective on how we engage with one another in an increasingly noisy digital age.
the Puzzle of “Knowing Ignorance”
Senior Editor: Dr. Pörksen, you introduce the concept of “knowing ignorance” in your book. Can you elaborate on what this means and why it’s so critical in understanding the challenges of listening today?
Dr. Pörksen: Absolutely.”Knowing ignorance” refers to the phenomenon where critical data is available,yet it goes unheard or unacknowledged.I illustrate this thru the decades-long sexual abuse scandal at the German Odenwald School, which persisted as an “open secret” despite media reports as early as 1999. It took a full decade for the events to be truly acknowledged and addressed.This concept highlights how societal and emotional frameworks can act as filters, shaping what we hear and how we interpret it. Listening is not just about hearing words; it’s about being open to the truths they convey.
The Attention Economy and the Challenge of Listening
Senior Editor: The digital age has amplified the competition for attention. How does this impact our ability to listen effectively?
Dr. Pörksen: The digital age has given more people than ever the ability to raise their voices, but the sheer volume of information makes it harder to discern what truly matters. Social media platforms excel at capturing attention but frequently enough fail to distinguish the essential from the trivial. This environment fosters what I call “intellectual immunization,” where individuals reject information that challenges their worldview. A poignant exmaple is the failed project “Papa Pover” (“papa, Believe Me”), where Ukrainians attempted to discuss the war with their Russian relatives. Despite their efforts, Russian propaganda proved stronger than familial bonds.Real listening takes time, calm, and concentration, qualities that are increasingly scarce in the cacophony of modern communication.
A Shift in Perspective
Senior Editor: Your book is not a guide but a call to rethink how we approach communication. What are the key insights you hope readers will take away?
Dr. Pörksen: My work emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the noise and truly engaging with one another. Here are the key insights I hope readers will consider:
| Key Insights |
|---|
| Paradox of Modern Communication: More communication, less understanding. |
| Deep Story: Emotional frameworks shape how we listen. |
| Attention Economy: Social media amplifies noise, making it harder to listen. |
| Intellectual Immunization: Rejecting information that challenges our worldview. |
In a world where everyone speaks but few truly listen, it’s crucial to open ourselves to the world and the people in it. Listening is not just about hearing words but about understanding and connecting on a deeper level.
Conclusion
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Pörksen, for this insightful discussion. Your work is a timely reminder of the power of listening in an age where it’s increasingly undervalued. We hope our readers will take your call to action to heart and strive to listen more deeply and meaningfully in their own lives.
Dr. Pörksen: Thank you. I hope that by shifting our perspective, we can create more meaningful connections and foster a greater understanding in our increasingly noisy world.
