The internet is raging with the new “Yanny vs. Laurel” debate (original tweet), and we couldn’t help but see a very clear and important life lesson in it. How can some people clearly hear Laurel and others hear Yanny?
This audio debate is even more perplexing than the blue vs. gold dress arguments that flooded the internet several years ago. The explanations for this audio based discussion can and have been attributed to bass or pitch levels as seen here by ten different experts. While their arguments makes sense in theory, the distinction in the devices’ output becomes irrelevant when several participants are listening to the audio clip on the same device.
As a clothing brand in the modest fashion industry, we often get questions (and criticism) from customers about how long our hemlines are or whether our neckline options are more or less modest. Our response is that Kosher Casual is an advocate of modest clothing in all of its definitions without judgment and tries to offer options for the range of needs. What we have learned from our customers and from listening to our community is that modesty doesn’t come in a single definition. There are many standards about what modesty is and how to dress modestly. Even our Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and secular customers have a wide range of criteria within the same groups.
As in the audio clip, people hear, see, and experience things from their own perspective. Their past experiences and their unique physiological makeup affect how they interpret situations and sounds! While you may hear one thing, it is very possible for your friend or spouse to hear something completely different. The same difference in perception goes for the idea of modesty as well.
Modesty perspective is an individual choice that is developed on individual experience and culture. Members of the same sects of faith may feel that the way one behaves is more important than the way one dresses. Others disagree. Both opinions are valid, just like the Laurel and Yanny debate. When we see and accept that the world is made up of all different types of people with different experiences and ideals, then we can really start to understand how and why our difference are not only valid but important. So next time we are quick to call someone else’s idea of modest, immodest, or someone’s choice to cover up more, a zealot, remember that their choice is their most truthful idea of modesty. Let us embrace their intent.
Whatever drives you to dress modest, we applaud your effort in making getting dressed every morning, meaningful.
