Corona hits hard. The strong measures that are being taken have been labeled as social distancing. A poor choice of words, when it is in fact physical distancing what’s demanded, out of social solidarity. Social distancing is what we don’t need, not now and not ever. For the worst distance between people is misunderstanding.
People waiting to be tested © Asad/Xinhua/Newscom
Weighing Words
I could have named this article ‘Social distancing is what we don’t need’. It might trigger more clicks. Stir up more discussion. I thought about it. I decided not to. Even without emotion evoking communication techniques, it is so easy for people to misunderstand each other. To misinterpret words or to miss an important piece of context or intonation. And our words are so often not exactly what we mean.
It is not that hard to attack someone on and with words. While it’s the underlying needs and ideas that should be the focus of our social collaboration. Small misinterpretations can build up to huge interpersonal gaps. Intersocietal, even. In times of crisis, emotions tend to get mixed up with facts. In a storm of impulses, it is hard to think critically and keep an open mind, let alone to communicate clearly and considerately. This goes for all of us.
We are the system
Communication is as crucial as ever. Marketing is too - although that might be the same thing. Humans are social beings, and in order to function as a society we build a grid where supplies and demands are met. In the continuous process of building and innovating this grid, we should be asking the right questions. To get to the core and to not get distracted by semantics. Ethics come into play. Humanity. Sustainability. It helps us prioritize: what is important? What has to be done now, what can come later? Who need to be involved? Practical conditions need to be met as well as (re)organized.
But for some reason, we like to distance ourselves from the grid. We call it ‘the system’, an unpersonal thing which is by definition unjust. Meanwhile, in crisis, the vital parts of our grid shine bright, mercilessly laying bare the lacking parts. The light in the heart of our human grid is impossible to ignore. And a crisis is a good time as any to boost progress.
Our future grid
In an attempt to capture the definition of a futureproof grid, I chant four words: circular, smart, healthy, inclusive. Checking all these boxes means keeping the lines of communication open. Let’s have conversations throughout society. Let’s listen and try not to judge too quickly. Let’s talk and be aware of the effects of chaos, both physical and mental, on those who are listening. Let’s try and develop some deeper understanding. It could very well be our future grid.
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