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Testimony

Oral

Assume that oral testimony has more force than written records (96-7).

• Studies show that in an oral economy of thought, information that does not help meet current objectives drops out of active memory, so remembered truth cannot be said to be objective, accurate, nor reliable.
• When looking for evidence of what happened in the past, a person from an oral culture assumes that spoken testimony is more reliable than written records.

Example

Walter Crow Horse: License and registration?
Ray Levoi: Blow me.
Walter Crow Horse: Hey, this is my jurisdiction now. And you were going 59 in a 55 zone.
Ray Levoi: Let me see the radar.
Walter Crow Horse: I don't need no radar, I can tell! I just listen to the wind; it said, "Fifty-nine, nail 'im!"

-- Thunderheart

Literate

Assume that written records carry just as much or more force than collective oral testimony.

• When looking for evidence of what happened in the past, a person from a literate culture assumes that written records are more reliable than oral testimony.

Example

[To use tutoring services, ] students must have a valid ACCD Photo ID and a copy of their class schedule at all times when making tutoring appointments. One on one tutoring is done by appointment. Appointments must be made in person - NO appointments will be made over the phone.

--SAC SLAC Lab

Exception: Primally-strong emotions trigger a default back to the oral mode.

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