* How do I mean? * in Just Stuff

Consider this sentence: “I know you.” Speak it aloud. Note the meaning it
has when you say it in this noncommittal way.

Now say these three words again aloud only this time use the tone of your
voice and facial expressions to make these words mean this: “Oh no you
don’t, you little rascal. You can’t fool me, but it was a nice try, you
sweetie pie.” Practice this until you “get it right”. It’s okay to add “special effects” to your intonation like lowering pitch, smiling when you
speak, etc.

Now say these three words again aloud and make them mean this: “I don’t
trust you and never will. You betray me every time.”

Now say these three words again aloud and make them mean this: “Who are
you? Have we been introduced before? I don’t think so?”

Now say these three words again aloud and make them mean this: “Yes, yes,
I see that it’s true. You ARE my soul-mate. I’ve been searching all my
life and have found you at last. I am absolutely certain of this.”

Now say these three words again aloud and make them mean this: “Don’t deny
it. I saw you rob that bank and got a very good look at your face. You’re
the robber. I’m certain of it.”

Now say these three words again aloud and make them mean this: “Why would
you insist that I know you? Everyone here definitely knows you, but not me.
I’ve never met you in my whole life!”

Now, this time, mentally only, think these words again (and again) and mean
all the above meanings, one at a time. Do this as if the person you are
speaking to can hear your thoughts telepathically.

Ask yourself,
What part of me tracks context? How do I know what words mean when they
are “merely” printed on paper?

However fleeting or subtle, did I feel the “proper” emotions that “go with”
the various ways I spoke? Did I FEEL the meaning I was conveying? Can I
mechanically produce any emotion in this manner by simply “acting the part”?

Could I read the telephone book aloud and pretty much tell anyone how I was
feeling?

Can I determine the emotional state of someone if they are speaking in
another language?

How often do I “guard” my voice in social situations? How does that feel
when I do this? What percentage of the time do I “really get away with it”?

If I were to write down a detailed exposition of all the subtle nuances of
voice inflection, facial muscles, body posture, etc. that I use to convey
meaning when speaking, how thick would that book be?

When I “listen” to my thoughts as if they are words spoken inside my head,
do I typically hear a “tone of voice” that is being used to convey meaning,
or do I “hear” the words spoken but instead of having mental intonations I
feel the meaning directly without bothering to symbolize it with
intonations?

What would my thoughts be like to mentally listen to if that “talker” was
smiling?

Can I make my talker smile?

Regards,
Rick