TO:
DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL SPECTRUM
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
HIGH TECH vs LOW TECH
I have not read a Detroit Catholic Central Spectrum newspaper since I graduated from C.C. in 1961. Now 63 years later, what a surprise to see such dynamic improvement… in layout, size, content and quality of writing.
What caught my eye ??? The opinion piece, Reworking the Phone Policy, by Senior, Christian Bakkal. Christian is light years ahead of where I was as a Senior… in writing talent, civility and ability to see “both sides of the story.” Christian shows the gift of equanimity as he “courageously” and yet “diplomatically” drives home his dissent with C.C.’s cell phone policy (directed to C.C.s Administration, Father Dennis Kauffman and Dean of Students, Mitch Hancock). “Equanimity” ??? The gift of emotional balance that will serve Christian well the rest of his life, no matter the profession.
I write, however, to respectfully suggest that Christian overlooked the third side of the story… the need for the students to put down the cell phones so they can master the vibrantly textured and multi-colored layers of face-to-face communication and extemporaneous, vocal interaction… before… well before the C.C. student enters the “oh so competitive” world of laissez faire, “survival of the fittest” Capitalism.
You C.C. students of the 21st. Century communicate with emails and text messaging, always composing, composing and composing your thoughts in written fashion (not bad, in and of itself). But, in doing so, much is missed… like the spontaneous and extemporaneous human interaction, upon which your post high school success will depend.
As my 9th grade educated Father (one year at C.C. 1929-1930) was wont to say, “We are all in sales”… selling ourselves as talented, reliable and trustworthy men and women of character. The tools to successfully sell ourselves ??? Strong education, a solid work ethic of discipline and a great command of the written and the spoken word. Once we acquire and employ those skills, the world is ours for the asking. We are driving the bus… to our own destination, where we can, hopefully, live the remainder of our lives (“mostly”) on our own terms. Nothing is more empowering than being your own man or your own woman !!!
But, you can’t sell yourself in an email, in a text message or even in a video conference. Those high-tech devices, although of great service to all of us, are not (repeat for emphasis, not) a substitute for selling yourselves to the world… your integrity, your character and your likability quotient, the hallmarks of humanity that are emphatically sold in the face-to-face, personal interaction of tone, personality, charisma, drama, humor, hyperbole (exaggeration for effect), body language and a multitude of other visual cues that speak to the wit and soul of humanity.
The 43 years I spent as a Trial Lawyer standing in front of Jurys required (no, make that demanded) that I stand on my feet and face the music– fully armed for the ensuing “war of words and concepts”… where the inarticulate come to the battle unarmed and defenseless. You don’t prepare for the face-to-face battle of selling yourself in the economic world of Capitalism by composing texts or emails or skyping. It takes years and decades of “face to face” interaction with humanity so that what you say has gravitas and the “appearance” of extemporaneous (off the top of your head) expression. The Basilian Priests knew this long before they arrived in Detroit in 1928. Ditto for the lay staff when they later came onboard.
At C.C. you pay thousands of dollars a year for the benefit of a Basilian education. Hey, you C.C. guys, every time your phone is disabled by the C.C. staff… you get the opportunity to practice extemporaneous, eye to eye, person to person communication… the necessary preparation for the demanding competition of Capitalism.
Have faith in the Basilian education formula and strategy of Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge (now, mostly taught by lay teachers). Thank the Basilians and your lay teachers, today (and for the rest of your lives)… for taking away your phones so you can learn how to sell yourselves with the command of the spoken word in a “nowhere to hide” world of face-to-face Capitalism. You never get a second chance for a first impression. Seize it !!!
My first and only conversation with Father Dennis Kaufman took place a few days ago during the C.C. Hall of Fame breakfast (9/29/2024). I shared my views herein with him. Now Father Kaufman is gone. But, thanks to that conversation, thanks to Christian Bakkal’s article, Reworking the Phone Policy and thanks to the 2024 edition of the Spectrum… I am left to treasure my memory of Father Kaufman.
Fred Lauck
C.C. Class 1961
