Dear Editor,
I must use this medium to thank the Observer for your 'Talk Back' pages, providing us with a succinct outlet to view or air concerns, likes, dislikes and further highlight matters of public importance.
The opportunity to write to the editor is not new, but with increased usage of electronic communication, many of us who may not get published or who may not be willing to pen a full letter are happy to make comments, responsible or not, serious or flippant, sober or funny, all while provoking further thought, analysis or, at best, action.
There are countries where a dissenting view is not allowed. Our expressions are borne out of freedom and privilege, which most of us accept with responsibility. Some comments are facetious and even roguish but many are sincere and deep and present a fresh way of thinking from a different angle. A cursory read-through will also show that participants present a wide array of knowledge or thoughts from different levels with different communication styles and abilities. This is a great opportunity to learn different perspectives from a worthy cross-section.
Most of us write because we feel passionately about things, we want to influence thinking or behaviour, or we hope to solicit another viewpoint. I love the feedback segment, 'Talk Back' that showcases online comments and I really hope that our movers and shakers put on their big people thick skins and read what people are thinking sometimes even when those are opposing views that may cause cultural, ideological or intellectual discomfort. This is especially important for people cloaked with 'yes men' who are afraid or unwilling to provide any form of criticism to their bosses, thus contributing to 'the great disconnect'. Thanks for the opportunity if only to blow off steam. Thank you for this outlet in an era where there isn't enough time to meet, pen a real letter or wait in line to call the talk shows.
Sandra M Taylor Wiggan
sandra_wiggan@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for letting us 'Talk Back', Observer
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I must use this medium to thank the Observer for your 'Talk Back' pages, providing us with a succinct outlet to view or air concerns, likes, dislikes and further highlight matters of public importance.
The opportunity to write to the editor is not new, but with increased usage of electronic communication, many of us who may not get published or who may not be willing to pen a full letter are happy to make comments, responsible or not, serious or flippant, sober or funny, all while provoking further thought, analysis or, at best, action.
There are countries where a dissenting view is not allowed. Our expressions are borne out of freedom and privilege, which most of us accept with responsibility. Some comments are facetious and even roguish but many are sincere and deep and present a fresh way of thinking from a different angle. A cursory read-through will also show that participants present a wide array of knowledge or thoughts from different levels with different communication styles and abilities. This is a great opportunity to learn different perspectives from a worthy cross-section.
Most of us write because we feel passionately about things, we want to influence thinking or behaviour, or we hope to solicit another viewpoint. I love the feedback segment, 'Talk Back' that showcases online comments and I really hope that our movers and shakers put on their big people thick skins and read what people are thinking sometimes even when those are opposing views that may cause cultural, ideological or intellectual discomfort. This is especially important for people cloaked with 'yes men' who are afraid or unwilling to provide any form of criticism to their bosses, thus contributing to 'the great disconnect'. Thanks for the opportunity if only to blow off steam. Thank you for this outlet in an era where there isn't enough time to meet, pen a real letter or wait in line to call the talk shows.
Sandra M Taylor Wiggan
sandra_wiggan@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks for letting us 'Talk Back', Observer
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