One of the things we do when we make meaning is to fill in the gaps. A simple example of this is with comedy and jokes which require us to fill in the gaps.

Jana Shepard ©2021

Lecture on Gaps

One of the things we do when we make meaning is to fill in the gaps. A simple example of this is with comedy and jokes which require us to fill in the gaps. Comedians use this concept to their advantage by intentionally directing the direction our minds take when filling in those gaps and then, for the “punch line,” the direction shifts to a place we had not expected. Here is a simple example: “How many flies does it take to screw in a light bulb?”

Now, since we have heard so many jokes about how many X does it take to change a light bulb, our minds are probably trying to figure out, based on the joke, how many flies would it take to change the light bulb. The key to this joke is the word “screw” which is most likely ignored by the person hearing the joke. Either they did hear the word and assumed the person telling it meant changing the light bulb or they miss the reference altogether. But, when the punch line is delivered, the answer to the question, “two, but you have to wonder how they got in the light bulb,” then it all fits and the meaning is revealed. The joke was not about “changing” the light bulb but was about something else entirely different!

This was a simple and silly example of gaps but the concepts remain the same for texts we read, stories we hear, and how we interpret our life experiences. When I say “life experiences,” it doesn’t necessarily have to be a major event—everything is a life experience whether it be getting married or sitting at a stop light. Yes, some are more notable than others, but they are all experiences.

Here is another example: let’s say you are sitting at the stop light and you see two men walking down the sidewalk holding hands. What is your reaction? You filled in gaps and based on previous social conditionings, educational background, family and peer pressures, etc., you have a certain reaction. Some people might think, oh, they make a cute couple. Others might think it is wrong (or worse). The situation hasn’t changed—it is only the reaction to and interpretation of the situation that is different. The key to this is gaps and how they were filled in. For those who think this is wrong, interrogating the gaps can be very uncomfortable. It might mean asking questions that would shake the very foundations upon which they base their beliefs. It is important to note that beliefs are not facts no matter how much we want to “believe” our beliefs are facts. I’m not saying that all beliefs are false—what I am saying is that when we come to conclusions based on beliefs, we owe it to ourselves (and to society) to question and challenge those beliefs—maybe they are valid, maybe not.

The point is, then, when you read the essays, be aware of the gaps that you are filling in when you make meaning. Question these gaps and try to answer the questions, why did I fill

Lecture on Gaps 1

Jana Shepard ©2021

in the gap that way and what did I use to fill in that gap? These may seem like simple questions but the answers can sometimes cause some discomfort. But, it is a way to examine that resistance, difficulty or confusion that I mentioned earlier. It is also a very powerful way to grow and evolve as a human being.

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