What’s The Use In Talking

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• January 26, 2018

What’s The Use In Talking.

It was my great grandfather’s saying.

“What’s the use in talking.”

While he is someone I would never meet, perhaps he is someone I have much in common with.  Growing up, my Dad recited his mantra frequently, “what’s the use in talking.”

That could be the log line of my entire life.  With the exception of being with my family (and a few close friends), quiet is my disposition.  Pretty much anytime I left my Home, I seldom spoke.

One of the rules of writing a comedic screenplay is every line of dialogue should either advance the plot, be a joke, or better yet, both.  Though my actual life/conversation isn’t nearly as clean, witty, and thought out as my writing, I suppose I follow the screenwriting rule in life as much as I do when writing.  I don’t interject much unless I feel I have a salient point or a sniper joke (I mean a joke that you will not see coming, not a joke about snipers with guns, though I do have a bit about snipers with guns, it’s very funny, you should come to a show sometime).

Less than half of what you say is ever being listened to, let alone heard.  So…

What’s the use in talking.

Pick your side and scream as loud as you can.  Put the ear muffs on.  Only hear things that are agreeable with your already made up mind.  The left versus the right.  Battle of the sexes.  This religion that is based on no facts whatsoever is better than your religion that is based on no facts whatsoever.  You could learn more from staring at static on the television and just follow your thoughts.  Seriously.  Try it.

What’s the use in talking.

It’s what makes some of my best friends and favorite people.  That we can be in each other’s company, sitting around, in restaurants, driving, and we hardly say a word to each other.  Being comfortable in total silence with someone else is a powerful form of communication, but people are quick to spoil silence.  Be still.  The moment is already almost gone.

What’s the use in talking.

Like talking to people who are clearly insane.  Which is most people.  Most people are insane.  Present company included.  But my God, at least I have the decency and self-awareness to recognize (and embrace) my insanity.    Even when I see someone very intelligent try to get a point across to a crazy person, I think, “why is that intelligent person even trying.”  There’s no point reasoning with a crazy person; they are crazy.

What’s the use in talking.

When someone is yelling.  Because yelling is a projection of anger.  Anger, often, is irrational.  Careful not to speak out in anger.  Get angry.  But don’t allow anger to trigger an impulsive reaction.  Remove and regroup.  Too many sharp tongues have cut only themselves on their own words that were spoken before they could be stopped.  It’s okay to be angry.  In fact, at times, it is not only reasonable but good to be angry.  Though anger will aim to attempt to take the wheel.  What would be the point of arguing with someone who is not even in full control of themselves.

What’s the use in talking.

To yourself.  Pacing a small apartment.  No one else hears you.  If a tree falls and no one is there to hear it.  Mumbling to yourself on the streets, which no one notices.  No one notices in New York City.  Even if they did, they wouldn’t give a shit.  And they won’t talk to you.  Because clearly you have mental problems and they know, already, there is little use in talking to someone with mental problems.

The use in writing.

Without a doubt, I am (way) better at communicating not only my thoughts but also my feelings when I take to paper.  Verbally, I’m a little dim that way.  But if you’re reading this, you’re paying attention.  And, in actuality, you could stop reading this now, no longer paying attention, and I wouldn’t know either way.  Here you are, at the second to last sentence of all this and I’ve spoken to you without even speaking.  Whether you agree or disagree, or think my writing flows well, or it’s shit, or if you think I’m insane, or just sane enough, I have had your attention and thank you for hearing me.