Giving credit where credit is due, I have to admit that Daniel Quinn has written a thought provoking book. Having said that, which do you think has the greatest impact on us as we develop our own philosophies - messengers or the messages they deliver?

Darla

I think most of the time it is the message, however it also depends on how persuasive the messenger is. If you are a good "sales" man you can almost put anything over on someone especially if they are not sound in their own thoughts and beliefs.

I also feel that the message becomes imprinted on our minds and beliefs. However, the manner that the message is delivered plays a large part of how well people recieve it.

Darla,
I think it is a combination between the message and the messenger. Sometimes it takes a famous or well-spoken person to deliver a message that is easily said by many. I think also part of this is the emotional state the reciever is in when receiving the message. If you are not ready to hear then the message will not reach you.

Darla,
I agree with Jill. If you are not ready to hear the message, then it will not reach you, no matter who the messenger is. I think that's why some of us understood Ishmael better than others.

I believe the power of the story or narrative affects us differently and gives us different perspectives. The interpretation of the story means a great deal.