If these walls could talk
In April 2014, Roger Turner wrote his poem, If these walls could talk, which reflects one of those interesting focal points of Man’s musings about the human condition, and some of the ‘what ifs‘ in life. The first stanza goes: “Everywhere there's secrets; Some are dark, some light; Everywhere there’s secrets; Some best kept out of sight; Everywhere there’s secrets; Of the living and the dead; Everywhere there’s secrets; Some are better left unsaid.”
The rest of the poem asks questions about the fear of hearing about the range of things those walls have seen and heard: crying, death in the family, secrets and lies, games and fights, verbal injuries and “sounds of laughter and of moans”.
Clearly, and hardly surprisingly, most of us would shudder at the possibility of the walls of our lives being able to relate the stories which they have observed. Some events and experiences are so private that nobody would be comfortable to have them exposed to others.
The privacy ramifications of the expression: “Let’s keep it within these four walls”, sits very comfortably with most.
Another poem which comforts those who need their privacy and confidentiality for their wellbeing, written by Renata Suzuki, reflects with a combination of nostalgia and reassurance, that all of our secrets - “good, bad, shallow or deep” - are all that the walls have to keep.
But has modern technology not changed the privacy status of walls (and rooms) in considerable ways? Can discussions in meetings ever be guaranteed to be confidential during these times?
The role of recording devices ranging from ‘bugs’ to mobile phones and many others of ever-increasing technological advancements, enable those who want to listen in or record, to do so.
Audiovisual devices continue to improve in complexity and efficiency, which effectively enables walls ‘to talk’ as well as to show. Has privacy become a thing of the past? Has confidentiality gone ‘out of the window?’ And, perhaps the worst case scenario, is ‘Big Brother’ watching us at an ever-increasing rate?
5G and the ‘internet of things’, offshoots of the 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution), appear to be ushering in alarming threats to privacy. It seems that the ‘technological walls’ will be talking as never before.
Of course there are many among us who like their walls to talk, not of events and secrets witnessed, but of significant messages, photographic records and creative decor. Paintings and portraits tell a story, as do craft pallets portraying motivational messages and exhortations to respect others/enjoy life/feel welcome.
One such sobering message warns of the effects of our choices of those with whom we interact; that we become like the 5 people with whom we spend the most time. The message is to choose those significant people carefully.
Two diametrically opposed views on our attitudes to our fellow men illustrate the extremes that drive Man’s thinking:
Donald Trump advocates always getting even “when people wrong you” for it’s good feeling, and for the gains to be seen doing it by others.
Jesus’ guidance in Luke 6:27 (NIV) is to: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you”. (May the reader choose the best fit!)
As developments have influenced the way humans live and interact, one of the undeniable realities is that walls talk more loudly and more eloquently than ever before.
Decor tastes, communication practices and technology have ensured that.