I have been reading The Drunkard’s Walk and Visual Intelligence - two books recommended by Andrew during class on February 23.

In thinking more deeply about debate as a practice, I have begun focusing on the concept of “listening.” Listening is key in debate competition and the art of listening seems to have been lost in our social media landscape when it comes to alternate views and discussions. One could possibly argue that podcasts have blossomed and radio is still proliferating. But, the means of listening to a podcast or radio is not necessarily a mode of dialogue with the listener.

On March 2nd I was invited to participate in a panel with Dame **Evelyn Glennie,** a renowned solo percussionist. The focus of the panel was “Exploring Being Deaf and the Role of Music in Human Creative Expression and Wellbeing” and it was presented by the Music therapy department at Montclair State.

What struck me most about Evelyn’s comments was her emphasis on the “now of any moment she is in” - that the most important thing or person in her life is what is in front of her at the moment. Evelyn describes listening as more than the literal sound - it is about absorbing the pauses, silences, texture, and breath of the moment.

I don’t know what the experience of “Listening” in the context of my topic of debate will look like yet but I plan to explore a range of projects from games to installations for the next couple of weeks.