Headphones and Speakers

Headphones and Speakers | Headphones and Speakers Blog

By: Mike Doria

Yes, I’m titling the first post in my new blog by the blog’s name.  Why?  Because it appears that ever since we crossed over into this “new world” — as it’s being coined; people don’t seem to remember how to listen.  For that matter — they don’t seem to know how to talk to one another either. And I don’t care to be part of the problem.  I’d rather be part of the solution.

I completely understand why this occurred.  You take four or five generations of people sharing the same spaces (work, home, the supermarket, movies theaters, etc.) and we forgot to set the ground rules when it comes to etiquette and interaction.  Life always reminds us that we need refresher courses.  My solution is Headphones and Speakers.  It was either this blog or me running around giving people the finger and verbally sparring and spewing venom at every twist and turn.  Personally, I prefer the latter.  However, I’m trying to behave.

The title would have you think this blog is all about music.  It’s not — completely.  The idea for this blog came from one of the chapter titles in my latest book “The Light Year.”   The headphones represent the things people tell us and how we choose to listen to world at large.  The speakers represent what we say and how we choose to use our voice.  So where do I come in?  Well, I’m sort of the moderator.  Since I have a B.S. in Communications and significant experience in this arena — why not?  I’m using my degree. Plus, it’s not like anyone else is doing it.  And it gives me another reason to open my mouth.  I’m going to use it while our Constitutional right of Freedom of Speech is still in place.  Sometimes you’ll get a video — other times you’ll get a song.  Sometimes you’ll get an interview — other times you’ll get a picture.  This blog isn’t normal.  Would you expect anything less?  You’ll just have to see for yourself how it unfolds.  I plan to blog a few times a week.

While I was in church this morning, a man by the name of Carlos Whitaker took the stage as the guest speaker.  In roughly a 1/2 hour — this man managed to tell us who he is, share photos of his family, grab our attention with three videos, share a story of a plane ride in which he helped calm down the very anxious passenger sitting beside him and deliver his overall message regarding how to manage various moments in our life. I’ve seen zillions of presentations.  Mr. Whittaker’s is in my top five of favorites.  His genius approach to captivating an audience using various means of communication was un-matched.  The title of his book, “Moment Maker,” couldn’t be more apropos.  And this blog will make use of various moments in which I can teach people how to interact.

It’s interesting that I chose today to debut this blog — or at least acquaint you with its future contents.   Carlos Whitaker shared a video in church this morning of his kids singing Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” in the car.  He wanted to send the video family so they could see the kids.  He didn’t expect the more than 7-million hits and viral video that followed.  Why?  Because he said something to one of his kids that wasn’t very nice.   Carlos Whitaker didn’t intend his comment to cause such commotion — or garner calls from news networks either.  But, this video is a good reminder for us to consider our “speakers” or how we say things to one another.  See the video below.  It’s cute.  I met Carlos Whitaker after the church service.  I can attest he’s a great guy.