~Have you ever been influenced by a speaker? Think of the best speaker you've ever heard? What was it about that speaker that made his or her communication memorable? Think of the worst speaker you've ever heard. What do you remember about his or her message?
Yes, I have been influenced by a speaker and she was a speaker at a conference I recently attended about Meth.
One of the best speaker's that I have heard recently, (there are a lot of good ones), is a woman at a, "Meth is Our Problem," presentation that spoke about her Meth addiction, the stereotypes about who looks like a Meth user and who wouldn't be identified as a Meth user, how it affected her and her children, the measures she would take to get Meth, no matter the cost, how she took her first steps towards quiting Meth, and the struggle she went through to get back custody of her children, earn their trust, and love again.
What made this woman's communication so memorable was first by how she allowed all participants at this conference a look into her personal life. Her communication all six positive social functions, according to Rhetorician James Herrick. She was definitely well informed about Meth, she tested ideas about sterotyping Meth users (She looked like a normal soccer mom who was your next door neighbor), she persuaded the audience that there is no one that is immune from addiction, she shaped our knowledge about judging and stereotyping Meth users, she built a community by creating a shared vision within the room, across many ages and cultures, and she also distributed power by giving herself personal power (skills needed for personal success), she used psychological power (gave us knowledge to shape the way other people think), and most importantly she granted herself political power (A voice). Whew! She was good!
The worst speaker I have ever heard is my father, he would ocassionally give speeches at our church. What I remeber about his message is that they were all about power, and he wouldn't take any consideration regarding how his message might be interpreted in many different ways. He cared only about his core beliefs, attitudes, and values. He did not have credibility, emotion, or logic. It was a complete nightmare!
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4 comments:
You mention that your father's speeches would not consider the fact that others might interpret his words in many different ways, causing confusion and misunderstanding.
We hired a sales person a few months ago and sometimes when I hear her give information, I wonder how she got hired. Im not trying to be rude, but as a sales person you have to convey your message in a way that it is correctly understood. She never considers the fact that people might misunderstand what she is saying. She explains the benefits of aquatic exercise (which is a service we try to sell) but does not realize that when she stereotypes older people as the only ones needing aquatic arthitis classes, that people in the audience were going to be confused since they had children who were suffering from this disease. She also goes on a power trip (she just got promoted from being a part time receptionist to a full time inside sales position) and it's all about power rather than correctly conveying the benefits.
It not only reduced her credibility but also reduced her power.
Although it's a totally different setting compared to your dad's speeches in church, I think the outcome is the same. Rather than being about the audience, it's about the person's power trip.
Cherry,
It appears that your nightmare was more on the issue of your father’s beliefs (core beliefs are basic long-term beliefs that cannot be changed without disrupting our entire belief structure – p. 258), values (convictions about what ought to occur or about what is or is not desirable and right – p. 259) and attitudes (evaluative mental structures that predispose us to act in certain ways – p. 258) rather than his ability or inability to speak before a church group. One thing I do know is that beliefs, values and attitudes are, as you can see, the hardest things to change about people. I would hope that you care about your core beliefs, attitudes and values!
It was wonderful to hear about the individual who spoke regarding her addiction to methamphetamines, the havoc it played in her life and how it destroyed her family. It is amazing how the personal testimony of an individual has a far greater effect than someone just giving a lecture on the subject. Her personal experience provided the knowledge and basis on which to relay the facts regarding methamphetamine’s devastating effects on so many lives. The ability to reach those of various age groups affected by this addiction is also a great asset. She truly did have political power, as her voice will reach many people who face or faced the same problem.
I enjoyed what you had to say in regards to the women that had a Meth Addictions. Needless to say that was very brave of her to even speak about this never the less in front of a big group of people. I also believe that she gave some knowledgeable information regarding her struggle as well as painting a mental picture that drug users don’t have a face. It could easily be the all star soccer mom or very much so be a very close relative, (of whom you would never think in a million years would even do something like that). In a way your story kind of reminds me of a show that just recently aired called the CLOSER. In an episode that I recently watch it was about the perfect house wife who had everything in life. She had the luxurious home with the white picked fence, the nice expensive cars and she was addicted to Oxy Cotton and was also running a drug ring amongst her children’s friends’ parents. Yes I know it’s only a show, but I am sure it does happen in reality. I too had the pleasure of a speaker come into my Drugs and Society class and present her Meth Addictions. I especially loved the title of her talk “An angel without wings”. She too allowed us (the audience) a look into her personal life and oddly enough she was a San Jose State University student just like you and me. Who knew???? She definitely used her ability of Pathos as well as Logos, as well as the ability to use her psychological powers.
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