the hierarchy of conversation

[lauralh]

I'm trying to figure out why I don't like talking to people, and of course my basic retort is that people aren't very interesting. But that's not true, it's just that it's hard to talk about interesting stuff sometimes. No one is going to find the same things compelling, so you have to start at a basic level, then work up from there...

this is subject to change, input welcome:

             total enlightenment
         philosophy/religion/politics
     small talk/stories about your own past
 small talk about pop culture/current affairs
totally inane small talk about weather/traffic

Comments

[bewing.livejournal.com]

NOTHING between talking politics and total enlightenment!!??

I think there a whole realm of *real* ideas to dicuss between those two. That's where I like to end up, myself. Facts, theories, hypotheses, interesting questions and all. Some of us probably can't ever get to that total enlightenment category, either. Sigh. And talking shop -- you need to stick that one into either level 2 or 3.

[herbaliser.livejournal.com]

well, I put that all in the same level.

and I hate talking shop with people. I get paid to think about programming at work, and if I'm not getting paid, i'd prefer not to, thanks.

[jumper42.livejournal.com]

[quote]and if I'm not getting paid, i'd prefer not to, thanks.[/quote]

what other jobs do you have????