The Sound of Silence
I truly love both the Simon and Garfunkel original and the Disturbed cover of the epic song “The Sound of Silence.” They hit different, and I migrate to either one depending on my mood. While the true meaning behind the song is about depression – which resonates with me when I need it – I feel like we can really learn some valuable life lessons – and not just truckers – from its lyrics.
These lyrics in particular seem to depict how many interact in person and online today:
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
I had a great talk with Jimmy Mac of “The Dave Nemo Show” a while back. We waxed nostalgic about our early days in journalism and its role in society. As part of the conversation, which you can find on our YouTube channel, we hit on a point about the power of silence.
Silence can be very powerful in interviews. We can take a beat-and-a-half to let a point hit home. Or we can use that empty space to create discomfort in an attempt to ferret out the truth from someone not particularly willing to give it up.
Silence, however, can also be damaging. Case in point: neglecting to advocate for your rights as a trucker.
Man, with so much going on right now, it is imperative to use your voice. Make lawmakers and regulators not just hear you, but listen.
Nothing will change, though, when just a few lone voices of truckers are shouting into the dark abyss of predatory business practices. I’m looking at you, lease-purchase agreements and brokers skimming more than a fair share off rates. We cover the broker transparency issue starting on Page 14 and hit on lease-purchase agreements on Page 20.
And to prove just how powerful truckers can be when they unite for or against an issue, check out Page 18, where we break down the potential fate of a speed limiter mandate. Spoiler alert: Its future is at risk thanks to 15,000-plus comments filed in opposition to the proposal.
As you read this, we have a new president and new administration. And with both of those in place, we have new opportunities. To inspire those of you who have never been politically active – or who’ve been stuck hammering on issues one way and one way only – we have our guide to advocacy. It starts on Page 54.
We hit it from a different angle this time, inspired by the OOIDA Board of Directors. It was enlightening to hear the conversations that took place at the board’s fall meeting, held immediately after the November 2024 General Election. Various directors shared their methods of advocating for truckers. These range from mailing copies of Land Line Magazine to lawmakers to mentoring new drivers in the industry. It really underscored how many ways you can affect change.
Speaking of the board meeting, you can catch up on the plans that were hatched and the topics that were cussed and discussed. These gatherings set the agenda for the OOIDA Government Affairs team and others around HQ. Thanks to the board members, we have a firm hand on the pulse of the industry. Our report on the meeting starts on Page 48.
It’s easy to feel small in this chaotic world, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Find a way to advocate that suits your personality and give it a whirl. Make your point thoughtfully and with purpose. Make sure the person on the receiving end not only hears, but listens.
And then when you’ve made your point, let the power of silence go to work in letting it sink in. LL