Thought I would participate in this week's 20SB debate because the question really caught my attention.
What is more valuable to you, your hearing or eyesight and why?
An answer didn't come to me right away.
But the more I thought about it, the more I think I would be able to live without my hearing. There are obstacles with both disabilities, but I couldn't imagine never being able to see the face of my husband or children or other family members.
Facial expressions say so much. Seeing the smile on his face when he says "I love you", or tears well up in his eyes when he says "I do" on your wedding day. Seeing your children for the first time and cradling them in your arms. Hearing "I do" or a child's first cry would be incredibly hard to miss out on, but I think it would be harder not seeing these things take place.
By figuring out which one I couldn't live without, I in turn answered the question. Eyesight is a precious sense and I value it more than I realized. It's so easy to take these things for granted until you are faced with a question like this.
What do you guys think? Which do you feel is more valuable?
And if you've posted about this make sure to link your post on the 20SB site and I'll add your answer here!
Donna::Barefoot in the Country
Courtney::Til the River Runs Dry
James::The Ink
Friday, February 1, 2008
Seeing Is Believing
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34 comments:
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna post about this in my blog as well.. some of those "debate" questions haven't really stuck out to me, but this one's pretty interesting.
And I pick my hearing. I think I'd freak out without being able to hear stuff anymore.
This is a tough one! I have to think about it... I can't imagine never hearing music again, but like you said, sight is soo valuable!
After reading Distracted Spunk's blog for a little while now, I'd have to say I'd give up my hearing before my sight. Her ability to express herself and how deafness influences her interactions with others, but more importantly how she's still able to interact with others despite her deafness ... well, she's an inspiration to us all!
I'm the kind of crazy person that sits around thinking up these either/or scenarios all of the time, so I've actually thought about this very same choice in great detail. And I have to agree with you completely--I would much rather loose my hearing than my sight. While I'm sure it would be traumatic, I can't imagine never being able to see a loved ones face again, or seeing a beautiful sunset, or even being able to easily browse through my clothes to choose a fantastic outfit. Of course, I'd hate to ever lose either, but if you're MAKING me choose... ;)
I agree completely. I'd rather see.
I have definitely thought about this question before, especially after seeing "Ray" and I would much rather lose my hearing than my sight for all the same reasons you stated. As much as I love music and movies, that's what beats and subtitles are for. I don't think I go without seeing my future children or anything like that.
this is a tough question...i would agree with you though. i suppose as deigners, that would be our choice though. i of course could not imagine losing either though...
I agree. I'm going to write one of these too. One of these days. ;-)
This IS a good debate question! I think I'd have to go without my hearing too. Eyesight is just too precious, for all the reasons you listed. Plus, I feel like losing your sight is much more debilitating than losing your hearing. You wouldn't be able to drive anywhere!
And, if we were blind, we wouldn't be able to go see 27 Dresses tomorrow!
I don't know; it is a tough pick. On one hand I can't imagine giving up my music because it helps me maintain my sanity. Plus, not hearing would pretty much mean absence of conversations...but then again I could always use IMs for conversations and force everyone around me to learn the sign language. And true, they do have sub titles in the movies...
Not being able to see on the other hand would be a what I can imagine a big pain in the ass. How will I pick out shoes, clothes, things. How will I read? write?
Ok so hearing is what I'd give up...
This is a hard one, as person for whom music keeps them sane, but also finds her mind taking imaginary photographs at random moments...
Wait, why do I have to choose? Why can't lose a finger be one of the options. I'd lose a finger in a heartbeat.
I totally agree, especially because our world is so set up to rely more on our eyesight than any other sense. There are so many things you wouldn't be able to do if you were blind. Being deaf wouldn't be nearly as limiting.
I think I would have to keep my site. I could learn to live without my hearing although I would miss the sound of my loved ones voices. I don't think I could learn to live with never seeing their faces again. Also, I think sign language would be easier to read than bail and I don't think I could live without the physical act of reading. It is one of my stress reliefs and just opening up a new book and learning how it unfolds brings a smile to my face and brightens my day.
I would give up hearing. The weird/sad reason why? I think I could live without music, but I could NEVER live without movies, tv or books.
I also can't imagine not knowing what my kids look like.
I'm with ya on the seeing. And I say that becase I've been described as "aloof" which I think is just code word for "were you even listening to me? Hello?" See, I have this tendency to daydream, and so even with my hearing, apparently sound, or other people's voices, doesn't make much of a difference to me.
Although I would miss music.
Nilsa's comment touched me, but I think we all know what I would give up. There are more accommodations available to hearing impaired and deaf people - cochlear implant and hearing aids, for one. I often wonder how I would feel though if I hadn't been conditioned into a gradually deafening world.
Something to think (blog?) about?
This is defintiely tought, but Im going to say my hearing. Since I'm a musician, I need to HEAR music, wihtout my life wouldnt be the same.
If I HAD to pick, I'd keep my sight. I don't want miss seeing my children grow up. I'd give every one of my senses if I had to to keep my vision.
I agree with you.
I would be okay losing my hearing.
I mean that's what closed captioning is for. Right?
Plus if I could never again gaze at the hotness of Matt Damon, I would seriously be a sad sad girl.
im actually pretty sure sound is more valuable,
but in my case, as a designer and artist, i would be devastated to never hold a paint brush again, so i would choose sight.
this is a really hard quetion to answer...but I think, like you, I would choose my hearing just because I cannot imagnie not being able to read or watch movies (with captions of course).
I'd have to keep my sight. Losing music would be really, really hard, but not as hard as never seeing my kids or looks of love from my husband.
My eyesight for sure. I love music and would be devastated to never hear myself play piano again, but to never see another movie, read another book, see the expression on someone's face is too much to loose out on for life.
Great question, really made me think.
Without your eyesight, you might just marry an ugly! Oh the horror. And then you'll have little shrek-lets for kids!
Thanks for taking part in the debate. I loved reading your post, then all the responses. It's interesting learning not only what people value but how and why.
I also choose keeping my sight.
I 100% agree with you. I think I would feel lost all of the time being blind. And at least if you could see, you can comunicate with sign language and writing. You could be totally deaf and your blogger friends would never even know!
I'm with you on this, could cope without my hearing I think, but not without my sight. I don't have anywhere near perfect eyesight but I would still like to keep what I have.
well, considering that I can barely see anyway with glasses and contacts...
Eyesight is pretty damn important.
Besides, how many times do you wish you could just make people SHUT UP FOREVER?
I'm with you--I'd want to keep my sight. As much as I like music, I could definitely live without all the stupid noises in NYC (car alarm, anyone!)
I would give up all of my other senses if I had to just to keep my sight. It's my livelihood, I don't think I could go on without it.
This is hard, without my hearing I wouldn't be able to hear my passion which is music..it is my career, my life.
BUT, I don't think I could ever go without seeing the world..nature, family, pets...I am with you on the eye sight! Plus, there is always sign language and you can communicate that way.
that makes so much sense...your reasoning hits the nail right on the head. i have to agree w/you on this one!
Just got round to reading this as I didn't want to be influenced before I got round to answering the question myself.
I will be surprised if anyone chooses hearing over sight, but I haven't read the others yet so I don't know.
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