And just like that, it happens again.
There’s this simple thing that happens frequently to most of us… sometimes daily, maybe more often weekly. Just a common occurrence. But yet, it’s one that’s long had me thinking. Let’s see if we can make this work…
We’re on our cell phone, having what is hopefully a delightful conversation, interacting with said person of choice. And then just like that — in the middle of what may even be mid-sentence, perhaps in the middle of unveiling a striking thought, profound revelation or simply deep conversation, the call drops.
“Call failed” is the typical, bland screen response.
So somebody pulls the trigger, dialing back, so the conversation can resume, and that’s the spot that has me thinking.
“What happened?” says one.
(Assuming no button was inadvertently tapped) “I’m not sure,” says the other.
“What’d you do?”
“I don’t know. I’m standing in a spot I typically stand in. My cell service says it’s strong.”
After a brief analysis of why the call dropped, the striking thoughts and profound revelations continue. But what prompts my wonder is that analysis, the attempt to determine why what happened happened.
If I didn’t push a button and am calling from a place I typically talk without incident, I automatically assume the reason for the call failure is the full responsibility of the other person. In other words, if I wasn’t knowingly responsible, I assume the other is completely responsible.
I assign responsibility fully to another. And…
I assume I am 100% correct in my conclusion.
Because of that, I never again reflect upon whether I had any responsibility or how I may have contributed to the problem.
Therein lies the zillion dollar question, friends…
Where else in our search for an immediate answer, do we assume another is fully responsible because we are unaware of any self contribution?
Where else, too, do I assign a conclusion to something that might not actually have one — meaning, we are incapable of discerning an answer; we can’t figure it out.
I think of the many who have published popular books who embrace the tactic of the binary choice. “If you’re not this, then you must be this.” It’s a choice between solely two alternatives, and if you’re not one, then you must be the other. Sorry. But I find this to be incredibly faulty logic; it’s simply a way to explain away what we don’t understand. We need to be wise enough to acknowledge that we cannot comprehend all; we aren’t capable; and we error in self-awareness when we think we are so capable.
For the record, according to CommunityPhone.org, there are four primary reasons for phone calls being dropped:
- Cell Tower Distance
- Natural and Man-Made Obstructions
- Unreliable Phone Carrier
- Faulty Equipment
Also, for the record, we can’t always tell which one it is.
Respectfully…
AR