A man who chose not to speak for 17 years has described the experience as a source of peace and self-discovery. John Francis, now 71, stopped speaking on his 27th birthday in 1973 after growing tired of constant arguments. Living in a small village on the west coast of America, he had already given up motorised vehicles in 1971 following an oil spill in San Francisco Bay, walking everywhere as a statement against pollution.
Francis said he used words to hide from others and himself, often fabricating stories due to low self-esteem. His silence began as a one-day experiment, which he extended indefinitely. For the first week, those around him found it amusing, but concern grew as weeks turned into months. His girlfriend urged him to stop, and his father flew from Philadelphia after receiving a letter about the vow.
Despite occasional slip-ups, such as saying 'excuse me' in a grocery store after six months, Francis maintained his silence. He communicated through sign language and gestures, and his laugh became completely silent. On the 10th anniversary, he spoke for a day to prove it remained a choice, calling his parents and recalling a private memory to confirm his identity.
During his silent years, Francis earned a bachelor's, master's and PhD in environmental studies. He walked across the United States playing a banjo, earning the nickname 'Planetwalker'. After 17 years, he felt ready to speak again, delivering his first words—'Thank you for being here'—to an audience in Washington DC. He laughed at the unfamiliar sound of his own voice.
Francis now teaches and gives talks worldwide. He resumed using vehicles in 1995 after 22 years, realising walking had become a constraint. He still practises silence each morning, sometimes for several days, to listen more attentively. 'It reminds me to listen properly; not to judge what I think I'm hearing, but to try to understand what people are really saying,' he said.
