To celebrate radio’s 70th anniversary in Singapore, there’s this 70-hour radio gag going on right now with several DJs from the local radio stations. I think about seven DJs are taking on this challenge where they can’t speak for 70 hours all for the cause of charity. If they succeed in doing so, the particular charity that their radio station is supporting will get $70,000.
I’m thinking it must be really difficult for people who make their living from talking to shut up for 70 hours. I mean, it’s difficult for any person! Even for myself, evidently not the most talkative and sociable person in the world, I find it difficult to not talk at all for one day. But I think for the DJs it’s not that bad as they are allowed to communicate with others through writing (e.g. SMS or just writing on a piece of paper), just not talking.
It’s intrinsically human to want to communicate and socialise. Humans are, after all, social creatures. Even if one wanted to live like a hermit, it’s quite difficult to do so in modern society.
A friend once told me that she had gone for a nine-day meditation retreat. During the retreat, all the participants weren’t allowed to talk to one another at all. Most of the time, they were alone–spending time reflecting and getting to know their own self. She said she found it hard not talking and communicating with others in the first three days but after that, she actually found it very refreshing and that it was a good time for her to get to know herself.
I don’t know if that kind of retreat is for me. I suppose it would be a good challenge but it’s not something I want to take on just yet. I don’t think I could survive the first day!