There is a semi-valid legal view that ‘silence’ means consent. That is, if you don’t object to the proposition you agree.
This may be true in some cases, but in most, it isn’t.
Years ago, when someone contradicted a position I would quickly jump into the argument. I would labor to explain and give examples as to why the position was correct.
I can recall long diatribes and dialogues to clarify, express, underline and expose the issue and my position.
Then…
Then I simply stopped. I couldn’t be bothered.
I’d hear someone babbling about what they didn’t know and instead of flashing my knowledge, I would be silent.
It wasn’t the silence of consent. It was the silence of contempt.
It is not only vocal.
Sometimes I’ll note a comment under an article or on my Facebook page and I won’t answer. I might have been in conversation with someone on a Forum, discussing a topic, and someone pushes in to spread his ignorance; I stop posting.
In many cases in life, when people don’t respond, it is a painless almost politically correct way of showing contempt.
It a way of ‘expressing’ yourself without expression; like turning back or closing a door.
Sure there are people I care about and I will spend my words trying to explain or clarify or debate; but for those I don’t care about?
Silence.
What is the Main Cause of a Heart Attack? What is its Solution? A heart attack is the blockage of… Read More
In the vast economic arena, one term that often takes center stage, inciting extensive debates and discussions, is the "debt… Read More
De-Dollarization: The Changing Face of Global Finance The financial landscape is in a state of flux, with an intriguing economic… Read More
The curtains closed on a dramatic Bundesliga season with Bayern Munich standing tall once again, clinching their 11th straight title.… Read More
The Unfolding Story of Celine Dion's Health In recent news that has left fans across the globe stunned, iconic singer… Read More
As the echoes of the recent NBA season start to fade, the attention of enthusiasts is firmly glued to one… Read More
View Comments
Love this!
Thank you... I'm glad I hit the spot.
Silence sometimes is too loud. It shatters because you want to hear someone saying that you are right or you are on the right track.
There is a phrase 'strong and silent' which conveys a deep meaning.
The point is, when someone is saying what you don't want to hear, why add fuel? Be silent and go away. Unless you are being paid to advise. so what?
Most times I do heard about silence as people relates it meaning as "YES".
But I try when I compared it to myself as to some time I can easily ignore someone and kept silence at him or her because of his/her loquaciousness. Then that reminds me that I don't need accept everything people says about something but to actually give it a response which may sometimes means silence to them.
Anyway to some people silence means yes but to others contempt.
I used to wax long and hard about something I knew. Maybe I was physically at the meeting that someone who wasn't there is discussing. Maybe I heard something from the person her or himself. If I care about you, I'll tell you. But if I don't care, I let the person wallow in ignorance.
I do this often too especially when I am talking with someone who insists what she is saying when obviously, it is just plain stupid.
I just want to share my favorite quote about sîlence by Aristotle: "Be silent unless you can say something that is more useful than your silence."
A friend of mine's father said; "When you argue with an idiot it is hard to remember who is the idiot."
You have just nailed it. that is exactly how i would have put it if i was to write such a piece i agree with you. nowadays i think people use silence more as a weapon of scone or disagreement. i won't jusmp at you and start arguing with you that something is wrong i will just be quiet and that will definitely tell you something. Then there are also people people who will be silent say to their partners when they have been wronged thus (the silent treatment) you talk to me and i don't answer that can be very annoying but it works sometimes.
Some people never shut up, some people have opinions based on nothing, and I don't need to hear the sound of my own voice to know I exist.
If I know someone and they are flying off into stupidity I will speak. But if I don't care what they thing, I'll let them talk and not listen.
Few people notice that you aren't saying anything. They can talk for hours . The person they are talking to could have died 55 minutes ago. They wouldn't notice.
I guess it is also a way to practice this. The silent treatment is also one of the best expression of disagreement. Some people do such an act to let others realized the bad things done. It is effective for those people who are insensitive towards the feelings of others.
An intelligent person will notice that you aren't responding and stop talking. A fool won't.