2005: How Stories are Written; The Rest of the Story

One famous radio commentator, I think it was Paul Harvey, used to tell his news but leave out the key part till the very end, and reveal it as the "rest of the story." I was reflecting recently on how we get used to the stories being written. I remember in college, the 8am Sociology class in the Winter term. The large Johnson Hall lecture hall was warm. The prof would begin the lecture by announcing the topic and note that at the end of the lecture there would be plenty of time for questions. After 50 minutes, the bell would ring and he would say, " Well, I guess there is no time for questions." There never was.

After a while, we kind of got used to it. It was warm and cosy. He seemed to revel in pontificating. He seemed so sure of himself listening to himself talk. Why wreck a wonderful start to the day with a question?

Then I was assigned to David W. Noble for History for a course in my senior year. In addition to the lecture, there was a study group of 7 students that met at his home on Tuesday nights. David was a veteran who had suffered a back injury in the war, and he was able to stand for one hour max. So, when he was at home, he had to lay on his back most of the time. And for the class, he lay on his back on the floor with the students on chairs around the room, and he went from one to the next and asked what they thought about various aspects of the books assigned.

Prof Noble would start with an idea, and the students would go around the room and elaborate on it or debate about it among themselves. After just a few classes at his home, it was real hard to go back to sleeping in the lecture hall. The debates that we had, I still remember. The clash of ideas became a very real and exciting thing. My attitude about what teaching could be changed big time.

In a traditional newspaper, the reporter writes and you read. In the blog, I begin the thought and you the reader shape it and complete it. Big difference. Some government types have labeled questions from the public "misinformation." Excuse me. We are all writing the story. The whole community. Not just one. Not just me. Not just you.

Writing together the stories of our community requires something more than merely turning pages. It requires involvement, thoughtfullness and a willingness to be responsible for our thoughts. Willingness to speak and ....listen. So...

I have eliminated the anonymous comment feature and all comments on the blog will require you to register with a name or "Handle" and a password. You will be tracked by your ISP identification and will be responsible and accountable for your views. I will block any user that indulges in slander. We will stick to the issues and have fun on the blog as well.

It is too late to go back to the lecture hall. There are plenty of papers to read in this world that require nothing of YOU for participation. Buy one at your leisure. I only start the story. You all finish it. Different deal.
Posted by Evansville Observer at 7:09 AM