Seeing Voices
By megan dealOctober 22nd, 2007
By Megan Deal
In our contemporary culture, advances in technology have granted everyone with something to say a means to be heard. This forward movement has given people of all ages, race, and sex a powerful voice, and an accessible means of expressing their ideas. I myself am only being heard, like it or not, thanks to this this blog, something that would have been impossible just a short time ago. We’re a generation unafraid to talk openly about things in a public forum, and we’ve established these weird kind of digital families with others who share our views. We exist in a society that’s granted us the opportunity to speak-up, be heard, and make a difference if we so choose. Right?
Many of you have probably noticed the blinding array of Type One studies, that currently grace our third floor walls. Seeing this vast display makes me think of two things: 1) I’m glad that we’ve all made it past the days of rubber cement coated black paper squares and 2) When so many different “voices” are displayed in such close conjunction, is it possible to recognize any particular voice above the rest? Each 8×8 square, now matter how unique it may be on it’s own, looses it’s prominence when placed among other squares communicating a similiar message. The individual designer’s voice is being lost among a sea of other screaming voices.
Compare this now to these advances in technology: when everyone is given an equal chance to speak, is anyone really heard?
Despite the democratic and pluralistic society we live in, equality is still a romanticized notion. I say this because although we are all given the opportunity to speak, most do no seize said opportunity. And unfortunately for most that do, their voices are lost amidst the cheering masses. This is why we do what we do; to develop a voice that can be heard over the rest, whether they want to hear it or not. This voice may not be as powerful, articulate, or commanding as we want it to be at the moment yet given time, it will grow strong, passionate and louder than the rest.
Technology seems to be both helping AND hurting the volume of our voices. It’s a beautiful thing that opinions are being expressed through technology via blogs, forums, etc. and that people in this world are more connected than ever before, and able to express themselves through new meduims all over the globe. It really is great and I think that Megan is doing a great job of embracing this idea… However the unfortunate side to this situation is that the LOUDEST voice is heard, even if there is little or no meaning. Look at the type squares. The loudest one wins. But where is the meaning?