Whyville has become Whisperville. Nobody talks. Everybody whispers. What do you all have to say that is so secret? Is there some reason you can't say it out loud?

I stopped by the Greek Theater this Wednesday and noticed that it happened to be book hour. Not knowing what book hour was, I asked out loud, "What's happening?" and "What is book hour?" several times. Nobody answered. Everybody was whispering. Can you say exclusive? Next I went to the pool party. "Wasup everybody?" I asked. No response. Everyone was busy whispering.

What's wrong with whispering? you may ask. Let me tell you. Its exclusive. It makes it easier to ask for personal information without being reported. And it lowers opportunities for interesting conversations or group discussions.

Now, I understand that it may be convenient to whisper, because it catches people's attention and lets them know you're talking to them. So I have an idea. There should be the option of "whispering out loud", so to speak. Instead of seeing, "I am whispering to___" you would see, "hottie12, I like your hair", or "coolguy818, have you read the Wanderer?" or "athena02, your poem was awesome". This opens up the opportunity for someone else to add in "I like your hair too!" or "I haven't read it, is it good?" Or, "yeah, the poem was great".

Let's all try speaking out loud for a little while. It's actually easier on the throat than whispering, did you know that?