FROM THE EDITOR

Molly Backes, Communications Coordinator

insult or threaten her—but even the seemingly innocuous replies begin to feel like battery over time. It makes perfect sense that people would attempt to avoid the criticism barrage by frontloading every comment with disclaimers.

Offline, most of us tend to give each other more leeway in conversation, assuming a certain degree of good intent behind another person’s words, even if we don’t fully agree with what they’re saying. With the exception of certain political arenas, we don’t move through the world like prosecuting attorneys, ready to pounce on the slightest gaff. We’re more charitable with our friends and loved ones, willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. But could we be more generous? I know I could.

When I started thinking about generosity of interpretation, I made a mental list of how much true generosity costs: time, attention, presence, patience, empathy, curiosity, humility... it’s a lot! It takes much less effort to jump to conclusions. And how many times have you found yourself only half-listening to someone because you’re busy or distracted or in a hurry or frustrated or tired? The world demands so much of us that it can be hard to find the energy and attention we need to fully engage with another person on a soul level. When you’re feeling depleted, it can feel impossible to give someone else what you desperately need yourself.

But that’s why the word generosity feels so fitting here. It’s much easier to give when you feel flush; the real challenge is giving when you’re broke. In a culture that rewards the quickest retort and hottest take, slowing down enough to give someone the benefit of the doubt feels like a radical act. And in an economy that depends on capturing as much of your attention as possible, giving your full consideration to the person in front of you might just be revolutionary. ◊