Forum Moderators: not2easy
We want to address ourselves to others in a manner that represents "I get you" or that "I understand" or are "I am like you", when an outside might say "not" to our proposition or presentation.
1. Do we ever stop being ourselves long enough to actually see out of anyone else's eyes? How? What is the art or science of it?
2. We see the world through the "filters" of our own experiences, values, principles. How do we know what "filters" we have running and whether they are turned off? Can we actually filter check? How do you do it?
3. Ultimately, I don't know from "that (hypothetical) person's (group's) experience since I ain't him or one of "them". Still, we may claim empathy. IS empathy real and, if so, then what is real empathy?
4. Is it vanity, too much to assume this proposition of seeing the world through another's eyes?
5. How does one know the boundary lines, when writing to an audience - as if the writer is one in the same?
How do you "see the other person's POV"? How do you do it?
What makes you think or conclude that you got it right, to any degree?
What makes you better at it, than others, IYHO?
After years of speaking on behalf of people, as an advocate, to other people who sit in judgment - and laboring, LABORING to divine and make a connection and to discern the art of what touches and connects people, and how to connect, here's what little I can tell you:
If I venture to assert that something "is fact" it darn well better be indisputable fact. That's the easy part, if I have my eyes and ears open and did my homework.
The making a connection part?
There are, IMHO, layers of getting to another's POV. Some approach it by immersion: They spend time "in the culture" whilst they may not be "of the culture".
My real, elemental, practical question is this:
What is your art (form) of seeing the world through the eyes of others?
How do you do it? What do you do?
I'd say that an effort to write to others, in a manner that is responsive, is real hard work, requiring more than just words on a screen.
What are your tips and techniques for "writing to an audience"?
[edited by: Webwork at 3:24 pm (utc) on July 26, 2006]
What are your tips and techniques for "writing to an audience"?
If it's an audience that has something in common (such as gardening or boats) I buy as much magazines in that area as possible to get up to date with current events and the terms used.
Another huge part is researching the history leading up to the audience today. You often find good examplans and references, which can be used when jotting it all down.
To try to grasp what certain members of the audience thinks and feels I visit a number of online forums. What are the most common questions and the major issues?
When writing about people, countries or events it gets much harder. Sure you can research a lot but you still need to visit the center of it all, meet the people and feel the atmosphere. Otherwise the text will be quite dry.
