Chapter 1
Summary
In the first chapter, Reuben Stewart explains that communication is no doubt one among the most important aspects of our lives. According to Stewart, communication plays a fundamental role in all spheres of human life, starting from the very basic relationships to the complex work environment. Stewart further explains that communication is a complex process that can be interpreted and understood through various theories, most notably, personal theories and scholarly theories, as well as a combination of both. In this chapter, Stewart explains how communication can be essential in upholding occupational effectiveness. The essence of communication, according to Stewart, is creating and responding to messages. The chapter gives a detailed explanation of the fact that good education is not an assurance of good communication skills.
Reaction to the Chapter
In this chapter, Stewart gives quite a number of interesting facts about communication. The chapter also contains puzzling information on the subject of communication. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of communication, as explained in this chapter is the fact that it is pivotal in occupational effectiveness. While this may appear strange and unrealistic, Stewart gives a very logical explanation on how employee effectiveness can be determined by their ability to communicate well with their colleagues and teammates. Interestingly, communication is essential to nearly all occupations because, in one way or the other, people cannot work in isolation.
I must mention that I found some puzzling explanations in this chapter. Perhaps the thing I found to be most puzzling is the presumption that good education does not always mean that a person will be a good communicator. While this may be cast to doubt, Stewart explains in great detail the fact that some illiterate people possess stronger and more reliable communication skills, while some educated individuals can totally fail to express themselves. While this is puzzling it is true to a great extent because communication is not solely a matter of learning, but also an aspect of such natural aspects as personality and temperaments.
Chapter 2
Summary
This chapter is mainly concerned with the history of communication. In the chapter, Stewart explains that communication has a wealthy history, dating back to two and a half millennia. According to Stewart, communication theories existed as early as the 5th century BCE. This chapter explains that Babylonian and Egyptian writings, prior to the 5th century BC, contained information on the subject of communication. Stewart asserts that the earliest contributions to the theories of communication were in the form of rhetoric. The history of education is associated with such prominent personalities as Aristotle and Plato. In this chapter, Stewart explains the connection between journalism, mass media and communication. The role of television and radio in the 20th century is one among the primary factors explained by Stewart as the pillars of modern communication.
Reaction to the Chapter
This chapter is exceptionally informative on matters relating to the history of communication. In my opinion, the history of communication, as explained by Stewart, is the most interesting and wealthy narrations I have had to read. The most interesting thing about this chapter, in my view, is the fact that communication is the oldest, yet the newest aspect of human life. It is quite interesting that communication has a complex evolutionary trend. Beginning as a simple art known as rhetoric, communication is now the most notable force as far as modification of technology is concerned.
Apparently, the most puzzling thing about this chapter is that education theories emerged before the 5th century. This is quite puzzling, especially when we consider that during that time, education did not exist in the form that it is today. This puzzling fact detaches communication from education, reflecting what Stewart mentioned in the first chapter – that education and communications are independent. Overall, both chapters are equally informative as well as interesting and puzzling.
