This is a really interesting way of considering both the way in which we may be discounted by others and the ways in which we in turn may not pay attention or be as mindful as we should be in dealing with others. Speed-hearing – hummm. Deep, full-bodied empathetic hearing is a challenge. It is always so tempting to be composing answers or responses with one part of your brain rather than listening with every ounce of your being. This is something I have given some thought to – but at least the ‘being in the process of composing a response’ instead of listening fully is still a form of engagement. If I understand correctly speed hearing is about disengagement and disrespect. I really think you are on to something. Over the next few days I am going to have to do some meta-cogknitting and observe whether I inadvertently speed listen.
Thanks for a thought provoking post Maha.