Comments on: On Dentists and Maya Angelou

By: Zoë

Zoë — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:38:27 +0000

Matt, I drink up every comment you leave — and they’re often fuel for new musings and blog posts, so pile away : )

The place of narrative is something constantly lacing through my thoughts, so it’s interesting to see it in different places. But yes, the approach you described is excellent — a simple, literal breakdown of what happened. “Removing tools to make it more comfortable for you to answer questions”… I love how that works so well literally and figuratively.

By: Matt Blair

Matt Blair — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:10:36 +0000

Okay, I was sort of thinking I shouldn’t pile on and respond to *every* post of yours I read this morning, but this is another great one.

It’s such a clear and understandable example of how adding some humanity to an unpleasant situation can make it tolerable, almost enjoyable, or vice versa.

And the Maya Angelou quote connects with lots I’ve been hearing lately about facts, stories, emotions and advocacy: that narrative has a greater effect on opinion than facts. I agree with that, but it is *so much* harder to do well, especially with a diverse audience, because it requires empathy.

Maybe the key is the approach your dentist took: focusing on what we share, evoking laughter, not inflicting guilt, removing tools to make it more comfortable for you to answer questions, etc.

Meanwhile, I’m pondering some dental tourism…

By: Zoë

Zoë — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:43:09 +0000

Thank you, Elizabeth… it’d be great to meet you here

By: Zoë

Zoë — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:42:40 +0000

yes, it’s a gorgeous spot, not far from Chiang Mai!

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:06:19 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by zoewesthof: On Dentists, and Maya Angelou: http://bit.ly/7ZiWpT...

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:02:06 +0000

Beautiful photo and an excellent post too. Eventually I may ask you for that dentist’s address!

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:24:51 +0000

…….what you feel when you behold this temple – evergreen awe!

By: Tweets that mention On Dentists and Maya Angelou — Essential Prose -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention On Dentists and Maya Angelou — Essential Prose -- Topsy.com — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:56:06 +0000

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