Saturday, November 17, 2007

A WORD IS WORTH A THOUSAND PICTURES

Over 25 years ago I sat in a crowded hotel conference center in Raleigh ,NC and listened to then FCC chairman Mark Fowler say that line: "a Word is worth a thousand pictures." I've used it
more than once in the classroom, from the podium and on the platform, and repeated it to myself while writing a speech. He was referring to Radio-it was a radio convention...and I couldn't agree more that words are more influential today than ever before and not just in the broadcast arena. I love books-I try to read 5 a month ( it drives my wife crazy), I love the English language-the correct use of grammar- and the POWER of the spoken word. I'm a word geek.... the feel of PAPER books........ a big heavy real dictionary. I didn't learn about http://www.dictionary.com/ until 2 years ago...sometimes I use it. I like stuff I can scribble notes in and on....I have more highlighters than any 8th grader. Ask anyone who knows me.....about my big Bag-o-Pens just for magazines and books 'n stuff. The right word makes people light up, smile, remember....create their own picture....that's why they have a brain.....don't get me wrong....I love photography ....but a good book can take you anywhere anytime...a picture ends at the frame. Your mind has no limits. A good speech...even BETTER ! One of the most enjoyable things I used to do was read to young kids during READ
ACROSS AMERICA in local schools. Now we have a 3 & 6 year old that my wife and I read to often.

It's cool when our sons quote a line from a character in a book they've heard...and just as rewarding when an audience is touched by a presentation.

The POWER of words . it's a shame to waste it


http://www.kenmatthewsmedia.com/

2 comments:

listener9 said...

I would love to read books but the only chance I have is around 11 pm at night... which is usually when I find myself dosing off after 3 pgs. Instead I try to listen to a book on cd every month. Right now i am listening to Working with Emotional Intelligence... actually its my homework. I am going for my Communications and Applied Technology degree. Its fun when I listen to a mystery or romance. I'll be driving to work and figuring out crimes, etc.

Since you are intellectual and have personality I could definitely see you speaking at seminars. I have gone to several. Franklin Covey has a lot of great speakers... just a suggestion.

One more thing, I think a picture is much more powerful than words. Yes it may end at the frame but tomorrow you may have a different view or a different appreciation for that picture and with it comes new thoughts. Beings that you have kids I don't need to tell you just how priceless their picture is. Don't get me wrong, reading is very important. If I didn't do it all day long at work I'd be starved for it at the end of the day. I've actually found that reading out loud to my kids has also improved my speech and conversations... lol, who'd have thought reading Thomas the train out loud would be so effective :)

vanillajedi said...

I'm glad your love for over punctuation is still thriving. Way to run wild with the periods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)