The Art of Conversation
I ran into an old friend a few weeks ago and we went out to lunch. That's when it occured to me that the art of conversation is gone, at least menaingful conversation. Of course we opened with the usual small talk, the standard what are you doing, where are you living, hows the family stuff. It was when I started asking him real questions that things went down hill. I ask him his view on the current presidential candidates, his response? "I don't care" and so it went on and on with every question.I don't understand what happened to my friend. Sure it was him, but clearly he wasn't the same. In fact when we were at lunch I thought I was with a complete stranger. Here was a guy that used to have an opinion or thought about EVERYTHING. We often debated over topic after topic, often in heated exchanges but always respectful of one another. Yet now he had nothing to say, about anything and it threw me for a loop to say the least. We ended lunch and saaid our goodbyes, stay in touch stuff and went on our separate ways.
I couldn't help but think as he walked away how sad I felt. I clearly had lost my friiend for whatecer reason. I may never know what happened to him. I had asked in a joking manner, but he said he hadn't changed so I dropped it no sense in arguing the point when he had insisted otherwise.
Which brings me to a question in general. Why as a society have we stopped talking about the real issues we are confronted with on a daily basis? It seems no matter where you go these days an intelligent, thought provoking conversation is impossible to find. Has the art of conversation died? I think it has at the very least taken a step backwards. When good conversation is scarce, it's not a good thing. We remain stuck in one place, not evolving or changing. Maybe it hasn't died, maybe I'm just looking for it too hard or not in the right places. I don't know the answer, but I thirst for the knowledge to find it.
Comments (3)
It is a very sad thing.
1. People are simply less educated. Their minds aren’t being stimulated intellectually anymore. Families rarely talk. Televisions become babysitters. Teachers give simplified lessons. No one is spurred to be creative. People are simply using their minds less and less, so when a topic of conversation comes up which is not within their mental capacity, they are quick to dismiss the conversation.
2. People are in too much of a hurry. There are no profound armchair theory sessions anymore because time for conversation is limited. People are rushed, on the go, late for this, late for late. Hours at work are extended. Family is more spread out which means more running. Everyone is in such a hurry, they just don’t have the time to sit and converse in any depth.
3. People don’t have their priorities straight. It speaks volumes when someone is willing to talk for 45 minutes about their new iPhone, but can’t contribute a coherent sentence about modern medicine.
4. People have become mindless followers who afraid to speak their minds. On the opposite end, the ones who are willing to speak against the grain, seem to have a chip on their shoulder.
I'm sure there are other reasons too.