Communication is one of the most amazing but tricky things we do. It goes way beyond the words we say or write, yet it’s something we rarely stop to think about in all its complexity. Communication is this mix of ideas, feelings and thoughts that lets us connect, understand and even influence each other.
It can be as simple as a smile or as deep as a debate. A look, a gesture or even a tone of voice can carry meanings that go beyond words. For example, body language and facial expressions play a huge role in how we understand each other. Sometimes, just a look or gesture can say more than words ever could.
Through studying under communications professor Nelle Bedner-Runge, I have been able to uncover the many layers of communication, the depths and the stories we share through communication. I’ve also learned about communication today, the age of technology.
With technology, we can now communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime, which is incredible. But this also brings its own challenges. Digital interactions don’t have the nonverbal cues we’re used to, like body language or tone, which can lead to misunderstandings. That’s why emojis and GIFs have become so popular—they’re like a stand-in for the emotions and tone that are hard to capture in text.
At the same time, digital communication has opened up so many possibilities that people couldn’t have dreamed of a few decades ago. We can now maintain relationships, engage in political conversations and exchange knowledge with people anywhere in the world, any time of day. Social media, video calls and instant messaging allow us to stay connected across time zones, forming communities that transcend the past. It’s a reminder of how human beings are innately drawn to connect and communicate, even across great distances.
Communication isn’t just about talking; it’s also about truly listening. Often, we hear people, but we don’t really listen to them, especially in today’s extremely busy world where we’re constantly distracted. Real listening is when we let someone speak without cutting them off or making snap judgments. This is a critical skill that’s pretty rare but so important. When we listen well, we can understand others better and even build empathy. This is how we build relationships, how we create a community.
Communication is also powerful. Words can spark change, inspire, and bring people together. Think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” or Malala Yousafzai’s speech about girls’ education or Selena Quintanilla when she chose to inspire young Hispanics by believing the impossible is possible. Through words, people have pushed boundaries, started movements, and given a voice to those who need it, people like me.
The impact of communication reminds us it’s not just something we do every day, it’s a tool that can shape the world.
Communication is both an art and a science, and we’re all constantly working on it. Some days we do it well; other days, not so much. But it’s worth the effort because the connections it helps us make are what make us human.