Echo Chambers

Dear Reader,

Once upon a time, the word starvation was on my weekly spelling list. That same week, my brothers and I were punished for some long-forgotten misbehavior and sent to bed without supper. I proclaimed that we were going to die of starvation! I probably said it loudly and repeatedly—and to no avail.

I wonder now how hard it was for my parents not to laugh out loud.

It’s funny how words and ideas can get stuck in our heads, and we see them—or hear them—every time we turn around. A phrase that’s recently stuck in my head is “echo chamber.” Between confirmation bias and online algorithms, it’s also likely that particular words and ideas rattle around in “echo chambers” that reinforce what we already think and believe.

The problem comes in when we can’t see—or hear—beyond our own echo chamber. It’s so easy to disregard and dismiss people whose ideas are outside of our familiar thought patterns. Regrettably, that also makes it easier to dismiss or disregard those people as worthy humans.

Challenging as it might be, it’s important to figure out ways to break the boundaries of our personal echo chambers, to open our minds to new ideas and ways of thinking. And, especially to widen our understanding of people with whom we tend to disagree. Not easy, but really important. Different people and divergent ideas open up new worlds to us, expanding and enriching our lives. And maybe spreading a little more peace.

I was wrong about dying of starvation after missing supper one night. I could be wrong about a few more things.

Our next in-person workshop is coming up soon. Breathing Room: A Feldenkrais Mini-retreat at the Jung Center of Houston is on Friday afternoon, October 3.

As usual, our Tuesday online Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Lesson is still Free/Pay as You Wish.

And, if you’d like to work with me privately, you can Book an Appointment or reply to this email and let me know what you’re interested in.

Have all the fun you can!