Marissa: I, You, It

One day in class we discussed the interpersonal concepts on Martin Buber. I was already familiar with Buber’s ideas as I learned about them in my Communication studies. Buber explained that there are two ways of experiencing one’s self, through interacting with an “it,” and interacting with a “you” or “thou.” In the experience with the “it,” there are clear definitions of what is involved and that the self has control over the it and the surroundings. In the experience with the “you,” there are less clearly defined borders and no one is in control as two humans are involved and have equal ego. It astounds me to see people treat others like an “it,” or an inanimate object. I see this I-It interaction everyday at my job as customers treat me as if I am a cash register or coffee dispenser and refuse to interact with me like a human being.