Chapter 1:

Evaluate this chapter’s definition of communication:

What are its strengths?
In my opinion, the strength of the definition may be one of the simplest aspects; the aspect that communication requires a sender and receiver. Without having someone that is coherent to what you are communicating; the sender is only disposing of information.
What are its weaknesses?
Personally I would identify communication producing a state of unity as a weakness. Communication can also be used between different groups or people(s) to distinct themselves from one another. Also, it is possible when information is shared and comprehended, both the sender and receiver still may choose to have different beliefs. Thus the phrase “agree to disagree”.
If you were asked to improve it in one way, by adding, subtracting, or modifying something, what would you change?
The text mentions communication being a “transmission of meaningful information”. If possible, I would remove meaningful from the text. Reason being, is sometimes when we communicate the information we may possibly receive may not be “meaningful” at that particular moment. However, as things and times progress someone may find a past conversation very useful.

Recall an incident in which you or an acquaintance experienced a communication breakdown because of a verbal or non-verbal linguistic barrier:
There was an incident at work between myself and a co-worker that involved a communication breakdown due to a verbal barrier. We were looking at information on the computer to perform a task. As we were searching individually for bits of information throughout the page; my co-worker asked me to scroll “up”. As I’m scrolling through the page slowly he is continually kept repeating himself. When I reached the top of the page, he still asked me to scroll up. Out of frustration, I yelled “how can I scroll up anymore?” He then explained when stated to scroll up he actually meant up as to scroll forward and not up as in directional.

This chapter questions the statement that no people can see the same thing because the statement is self-discrediting. If the statement were true, the person making the statement would have no way of knowing that it is true since, by his or her own admission, he or she could never gain access to what other people see for the purpose of determining this. What do you think?
I believe that people share common beliefs; however with different personalities everyone perceives things in different manners. They can be very similar in nature but people comprehend differently so it’s highly unlikely that someone sees something exactly as another person may see it. Therefore, I think the statement is neither true nor false. Yet there is no true way of determining if people can see something quite the same, one can assume with common knowledge and beliefs that the possibility of one seeing the same as another can exist. However, there wouldn’t be any such thing as opinions. Furthermore, without possessing the physical abilities to determine if people do or don’t view things as the same I can’t confirm whether that statement is true or false. Under the factor that everyone is unique I would agree but if viewed from the perspective of common knowledge I would disagree and say that it is possible for people to view things exactly the same way.

Chapter 2:

Drawing from your personal experience, write a 100-200 word response in which you describe the power of words to be destructive and to be constructive.
From my personal experience I would use my teachings of WWII history. If one could reflect back in history during the Nazi era in Germany; they could account how words can be constructive yet destructive during the same instance. Prior to the Nazi regime gaining its power, the citizens of Germany morale was at a huge low. It was the Nazi faction led by Hitler who gave the people grand speeches about prosperity and unity yet in the same instance he was speaking of destruction and chaos towards other races; even to those of different races who were residents of Germany at the time. He indeed boosted the morale of the people of Germany; however he also killed a vast amount of people based on those same words.

In a paragraph or two, answer the following questions about your use of artifacts to send people information about yourself:
Which colors to you like to wear? I like to wear colors that are very neutral in tone. I would rather be noticed for the type of clothing I wear and not the color of the piece of clothing. I prefer colors such as black, brown, green or grey. Which do you not like to wear? I do not prefer colors that are real vibrant. Clothing that is red, orange, blue or yellow is not the usual target of my selection when buying clothes.
Why do you like or not like them?
It’s not that I like or dislike any particular color; it’s that sometimes colors could send off unwanted perceptions. Therefore, I try to remain with less noticeable colors so the person can interact with me with the possibility of not having a preconceived opinion of me. I would rather speak for myself than to let my clothing do so.
Which ideas or feelings do or might they communicate to other people?
It can possibly make someone feel that you are a part of a gang. It could also sway someone decision of how conservative you are as a person.

Consider the following statement by Cornelius LaPide, a 17th century Jesuit priest:
Write a 100-200 word response that states your agreement, partial agreement, or disagreement with this statement.
It is written that what happens in the dark shall come forth to the light. It is also understood that a person’s true character is expressed at their weakest moment. I had an experience where a friend committed suicide unexpectedly. His outer appearance never showed any intent to harm himself or others, yet there were signs in his emotions and behavior that was not realized until he took his own life. When he was around people who he was not close to him he seemed completely happy. However, around those who were close you could detect pain within his heart. I would agree with the statement. People can sometimes camouflage themselves behind material things or social statuses, but sooner or later their true intent and feelings will arise inevitably.

Share an example of a strange regional word or expression that you or a friend has encountered during your lifetime. Be sure for each of these to identify your hometown or region and where you were when you encountered the strange expression. Who said it? What was his or her home region? What did you think when you first heard the expression? How did you learn the intended meaning of the strange expression? Which term do people from your home region use for the same thing?
I’m originally from central Louisiana and we normally call any kind of soda Coke. When I joined the military I moved to St. Louis, Mo. In my office there were some local civilian employees and one day I was heading to the vending machine and asked them if they wanted a Coke. One looked at me and sure why not, so I then asked him what kind of Coke do you want. He immediately looked puzzled. A few seconds later he caught on to my expression and explained to me that how we use the term Coke they call it “Pop”.