The Overbearing Power of Silence

Control Behind the Scenes

“We only shout when we neglect what silence can do.”

—Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

        Initiating the conversation, I had the advantage; without a word exchanged, I stood on higher ground, and with the following words lie the effects of my silence. Conversation is a war on its own; obstructed by the amiable smile lie predetermined formations, an impressionable offense, and most of all, secret contingent moves. Though the two sides may not be in contention, it is essential to establish whether it be masked in illusion or unashamedly blatant, for with every conversation lies purpose. When encountering someone new, we observe, matching their presentation with prior experience and generalized assumptions, we dictate our direction in broaching conversation. Still, what if one's appearance lacked a sense of direction or purpose other than the reasoning, it was appropriate. We are left to wonder as we are not given any distinct signs influenced by race or different hereditary classifications, we are clueless. Then as we approach at their mercy, we come in with the intent to learn, establishing their advantage. Though when you finally walk to him and start with a greeting, he answers in a short five-word sentence, to which you could only pick up on his brevity, but then it falls. Plaguing the whole mood, giving you this feeling of confusion mixed with suspense and an overbearing feel of uncomfortableness, silence has struck, and he is in control. Silence is the secret move that the powerful understand too well.