Leah Beth Parsons Theories of Strategic Communication February 21, 2011 Connection Paper 2 Grounding In class last week

we discussed Habermas and his idea of public sphere. His idea, as discussed in class and throughout the reading material (Public Relations and Social Theory by Ihlen, Ruler, and Fredriksson and The Theory and Practice of Corporate Communication: A Competing Values Perspective by Belasen), is that in order for a true conversation to exist, people need to find some sort of grounding in the subject matter. Grounding can only be discovered if four things are successfully communicated: intelligibility, truth, truthfulness, and legitimacy (p 147). Once these things are uncovered, a conversation that unites, not polarizes, others can take place. When a common truth is found, real issues and the point of the conversation are made known. Until then, people will be polarized and communication will not exist - we will only hear/see a bunch of people talking. There is a sentence in Public Relations and Social Theory that Dr. McArthur pointed out in class. This sentence reads, The purpose of critical social theory is to liberate our minds from things that enslave us (p 141). This reminds me of the Core curriculum that all undergraduates at Queens are required to take before they graduate. The Core program is dedicated to helping students connect subject matter with application, and then use those skills throughout life for various experiences. Some of these things include a job interview, a new idea about life and community, or a means to help others reach their full potential. For me, Core is the foundation for my education, I find myself using these concepts within Core as a

foundation for all things: my job, my graduate program, coaching, and even the way I interact with friends and family. My very first professor at Queens, Dr. Kent Rhodes, stated, Always question authority. Do not disrespect authority, but find truth and understanding in each statement for yourself. Since our last Theories class met and the conversation of Habermas idea of public sphere was discussed, this statement from Dr. Rhodes echoed in my mind, mainly because Dr. Rhodes statement and the idea of public sphere have a lot to do with each other. Habermas believes that in order for a conversation to occur we have to find truth because others need to know that what you are saying is valid and honest. Dr. Rhodes was asking us to do the same thing. We need to base our opinions on something, because blank opinions do not give others a reason to trust or believe in our conversation. If you dont know why you are making a statement or where that idea came from, then people will lose faith in not only your intelligence, but in your truthfulness as well. Your ideas are no longer valid and there is no room for a true conversation. I think it is important to point out that everyone doesnt have to agree on why that statement was made or where it came from, but each person must know your reasoning in order to find comfort and a willingness to listen, not just talk and hear. Dr. McArthur said that if we only remember one thing then it ought to be that we should ground our statements and ideas in something. Is this not what Habermas is trying to say and what my first professor Dr. Rhodes wanted us to remember? I believe that if we ground our conversations, then we can start talking and listening to all types of people. (Who knows, maybe world peace could exist!!)