217  Impressions

In this section we’re concerned with the invisible components of communication. These are those elements which we just have a feeling for. Things that we perceive immediately, the gestalt perception, things that leave an impression on us, whether we are aware or not.

In contrast to the intangibles, these are things that although potentially visible, are often invisible. As we’ll see, there is much to unpack, as as you may expect, lots of grey areas.

We’ll begin with ourselves, our internal feelings, or our gut feelings, our intuition.

From there, we’ll move onto individuals around us, the people we have personal connections. From there we’ll trace the path to progressively more abstract eventually landing on the virtues, such as gravitas.

Notice the patterns once again of systems thinking. The same concepts repeated in a fractal pattern as we move from a focused, individual to an abstract concept.

The cultural impressions. What we take away from our previously held conceptions of race, nationality, class. One of the most annoying questions is “Where are you from?” Not only is it inane in it’s banality, but it also suggests, rather strongly I would argue, that this information is pertinent to the situation at hand.

The cardinal virtues — prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude