Signals
Signals...
Red light: stop; green light: go. Have we changed the law?
It's been a few years since I took a driver's license test. I simply renew everytime it is due to expire. (Please, remind me to do this next year). I wonder by the way in which everyone drive's today if the signals still mean the same thing as when I first received my license.
These days red lights seem only to be a suggestion, especially in the left turn lane. The shorter the green light, the less likely drivers will stop after the light turns red. And when the light turns green? The lead driver often waits to finish their text message before they move forward. Ugggh.
Yellow lights have always been ambiguous. Do you slam on the break or gun it?
Theoretically, signs and signals help us know what to do and when to do it. Or, in the case of communication, what to say and when to say it.
Those who don't read signals risk collision.
An urban legend captures the importance of correctly reading signals. The captain of a battleship in bad weather spotted a light in the distance and seemed to be on a collision course with another ship. The captain ordered a look-out signal to the other ship:
Captain: "We are on a collision course. Please divert your course 0.5 degrees to the south."
Reply: "Advisable for you to change course 15 degrees to the south."
Captain: "I am the captain. I say again, divert your course."
Reply: "I am a seaman second class. I say again, you divert YOUR course!"
Captain: "We are a large battleship. Divert YOUR course now!"
Reply: "This is a lighthouse. Your call."
The ability to read signals, and people, is a vital skill. Body language and facial expressions provide signals to stop, proceed with caution, or "hit the pedal to the metal." Clearly, some people do not recognize expressions or misinterpret what the expression means. I assure you, a wagging tail from a dog means something entirely different from a cat's switching tail.
Paul Ekman is an expert on reading emotions through microexpressions. He offers training tools to develop skills that I trust we all could use to enhance communication and relationships. https://www.paulekman.com/micro-expressions/
Reading signals, the first step in navigation, is important; the second step is to respond. Like a fast-moving train, it does little if you cannot stop after you see the flashing red light.
Do you remember the safety instruction for children to "stop, look, and listen"? Could it be that easy?
Back at the traffic light, after you stop, look, and listen, please, please put down your cell phone and hit the gas. I'm probably behind you running late for a meeting. Thank you!
~ LowTide explorer, Carolyn Fjeran
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