I am fascinated by addictions and compulsions.
We all have them.
I eat too much.
Others drink too much.
Some are hooked on dope.
For others their "jones" is work, exercise, the Internet, gambling, video games, sex, plastic surgery, or porn.
I'm sure there are dozens more possiblities.
But lately, I've run into something different.
Compulsive talking.
Is there such a thing?
I think there is.
This past week, I've been witness to several alleged "conversations" which were NOT conversations.
They were speeches.
Monologues.
One way, extemporaneous presentations.
Opinions and details.
Clauses and adjectives.
For forever and ever.
How can someone talk for 20 minutes (20 MINUTES!) about something, without ONCE seeking some kind of input, or feedback, or "affirmation" of some kind from another?
Why doesn't it occur to some people that they've stopped communicating?
Do they care?
Or are they just compelled to talk.
In my college journalism classes (for radio) we were taught to keep the length of our stories to 45 seconds.
One of my teachers used to make us stand on one leg while we were making oral presentations. As soon as we had to steady ourselves by putting down our other foot, we had to end our speech. She said that exercise would teach us about the average person's attention span.
Communicating is supposed to be "communion" of some kind.
It's supposed to be an alternating current.
Give and take.
Sharing.
Caring.
Reciprocity.
One way conversations.
I think that's what blogs are for.
