The Way Things Aren't: Deconstructing 'Reality' to Facilitate Communication

"In a world of continual conflict, rethinking the way we communicate with other cultures, religions, or nations is of paramount importance. Standing in the way is the unconscious assumption that our own views reflect ‘the way things are’ – an assumption both inefficient and harmful. The Way Things Aren’t: Deconstructing ‘Reality’ to Facilitate Communication explores communication as a meeting point between different perceptions of reality, presenting how our assumptions and convictions hinder effective communication with those who are different from us. Featuring case examples from Somalia, Romania, and other regions, the chapters describe how authorities and the media often create ‘reality’ to relegate some people, cultures, languages, or religions to ‘the wrong side of the tracks’. Featuring scholars and practitioners from many disciplines, this discussion challenges readers with the idea that in order to remain open for new perspectives we must be aware that things are not always ’the way things are‘. "