The ultimate argument

By Colin Pearson

Today we ventured to Speaker's Corner within Hyde Park, a place designated for free speech. This park holds plenty of space for all sorts of speakers, as each brings their own chair to stand on. Each speaker has a different topic, and they seem to transition between individuals in a group every 10 minutes to keep the location running constantly. Swarms of people crowd around either to listen, or in most cases some push to the front to have an opposing statement that draws a response from the speaker. The conversations run rampant and the speaker can't seem to get enough of the attention. Most of the conversation is premature, as the speakers discuss issues that they have paid attention to recently, but their points aren't solid enough to have people consider them. Almost as if they are just shouting opinion rather than preaching a new mindset for others to chew on. This way of speech brought upon arguments that got nowhere, which isn't surprising from these religious folk.

A majority of the speakers were very intrusive, giving no leeway to others voices, and bothering those just passing by. Some people would walk up to others and start pushing topics and discussions. As I was taking photos, numerous others came up to me to tell me things and assure me that what they were discussing needed to be heard. The idea of throwing out speech for acceptance was lost, and it seemed as though others resorted to shouting, as some speakers offended and brought the form of discussion into a type of mockery, or insult. When opposition was confronted by a audience member, and the notion given was offensive to the speaker, they resulted bickering and disagreeing with one another, which brought down the credibility as a person of faith in my opinion. If I came to a place like this to hear someone and actually have a clean slate when listening to their evidence, I would expect them to hold themselves to a higher regard, which is expected by the figure they worship. I lost respect for those who held their beliefs and esteem to a higher level, when they lost all self control and acted ever so irrationally. The ability to maintain civil discourse, and communicate with credible or fact based evidence was lost, as most just bickered about what was felt emotionally.

This experience was ever so eye-opening, giving me insight as to what this environment is like. I found myself very bothered by the discussions, not because of what they were saying, but rather their behavior as a person of faith. If you truly want others to follow you or listen to your word, you have to behave in a way that is mutual between both parties; that means speaking in an calm voice, and truly having your statements backed up.

a clear mind to consider opposition.