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Drake Volkov

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The dying art of conversation.

There is a lack of people willing to expand there way of thinking. And I'm not talking about a simple small talk conversation, but a conversation that allows people to debate a topic even if the problem is against the way they think. And what would be the benefit of having a said conversation.

Topics: conversation intelligent conversation
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    Jom Bunsiri

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    Nov 29 2011: You may find it interesting to explore arts of conversation in other languages. It is recommendable to make new friends around the world for the pursuit.
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      edward long 100+

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      Nov 30 2011: Jom, you make it sound easy to scale the language barrier. Do you have a secret as to how, for example, one can explore arts of conversation in the Philippines without first learning to speak Tagalog? Thank you for your suggestion.
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        Jom Bunsiri

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        Dec 1 2011: Since the topic and details of this debate appear to me that the writer is hopeless in communicating with people, I suggested that the writer should seek for new friends to explore positive attitudes in communication of his assumption. And since each language in this world has its specific grammar and various ways of expressions, it is interesting for the writer to explore new environment (aside from English language environment) to open mind for new possibilities. Thus, the pursuit of positive attitudes and new possibilities in communication may result from an easy activity such as making new friends from other parts of the world. The language barrier is a small matter, once people have foreign friends they learn many things from each other, and that makes it easier than it sounds. I have learnt Russian, French, Japanese and Chinese through this way. We are all friends.
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          edward long 100+

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          Dec 1 2011: If you only spoke one language, Mr. Bunsiri, and it was not English, how would you and the writer enjoy a conversation if the writer spoke only English? How is that a small matter? To me it seems to be a formidable obstacle creating a difficult situation, not hopeless, but difficult. Are you suggesting that if the writer will pursue positive attitudes and new possibilities in communication he will thereby demolish the language barrier? You learned four distinctly different languages by pursuing positive attitudes and new possibilities? Did you also pursue lessons in those languages? Sorry for the plethora of questions.
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        Jom Bunsiri

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        Dec 2 2011: Thank you for your opinion. Sorry for my previous insufficient demonstrations. I understand that each person has certain level of understanding things, but it can be improved. I was born in Thailand and my mother language is Thai. Other languages come from efforts. Here, I demonstrate my ways of learning for the writer to consider. If I was wrong, I would not speak any other languages. It's best to try it out before stating any points. And I am sure that pursuing positive attitudes and new possibilities in communication are helpful for such a topic. I have friends, and they will to teach me language in exchange with Thai, it's win-win approach. Don't miss my points, new friends who have positive attitudes, and new possibilities in communication from new environment, will assist the writer to overcome "language barriers". Are friends not influencial in learning? Will you choose to make friend, and exchange opinions with positive people? Isn't better environment influencial in learning? Can influencial friends and environment help people to demolish the language barriers?

        Come to the point, the dying art of conversation. If there is the best explanation of the topic's assumption and perspective, would you mind sharing it to allow people to understand? The writer has his own assumptions and perspectives to create the topic. Is it good enough to deal with a problem with one limited assumption and perspective? Is the art of conversation dying? Thank you for your suggestion.
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          edward long 100+

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          Dec 2 2011: Jom,
          On the topic of Mr. Volkov's debate I have nothing to add to what I offered in my comment dated Nov.20, 2011 (see below).

  • Sarah Moran

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    Nov 27 2011: I think Drake might possibly be referring to the idea of having an in-depth conversation without having it turn into a debate. I come across this in many instances, where you simply want to explore a topic, but instantly once you bring up a certain point, and the person you're talking to doesn't support it, they automatically go on the defensive as if you were trying to take a standpoint in the first place.

    I personally have been forced to place a lot of, "now i don't know if i really support this", or "no offense", or any amount of lengthy explanations in order to try to convince the other person that I'm simply inviting them to look into a certain topic with me. The sad thing is, the explanations only work half of the time.

    Instead of welcoming hypotheticals, people put up a wall they didn't even know they had been building.
    I think the art of this type of conversation is tough to have with some individuals no matter what time period we live in. In the digital age, it seems most people are overwhelmed with viewpoints that such speculation naturally turns into a debate for the fact its hard for viewpoints to mature when you are constantly bombarded with new ones on a bunch of irrelevant topics.

    The convenience of conversation in a quiet environment is a necessary break from influence besides the imagination and creativity of the people engaged in such conversation. It needs to happen more, but people need to accept that stubbornness is something that they might have to overcome in order to be able to carry out any conversation that holds meaning.
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    Goldmark Anthony Indico

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    Nov 27 2011: I HAVE NOT EVEN LEARNED THE ART WELL... SO I GUESS IT IS? BUT T.E.D. is here...
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    Phillip McKay

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    Nov 24 2011: Ummmm errrrr. ah...... Yep.

  • Rhona Pavis 50+

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    Nov 21 2011: It happens a lot at Starbucks. Maybe it's a matter of with whom you hang out. If you hang out with your peers, they might provide some of the true conversation you seek. Most people have weird speech habit patterns they picked up from one of their parents or someone from their youth. Those speech habit patterns, e.g., talking in questions, command/obey expressions, interfere with the type of conversation I suspect you are seeking. Most people are unaware that their speech is patterned and blocks accurate expression and real communication. I think adhering to truth in all situations encourages the real conversation you value.
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    edward long 100+

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    Nov 20 2011: Conversation and debate are not the same. Is this a debate about whether or not conversation is a dying art?
    If yes, I argue that conversation is not dying. It is an art enjoyed by those who can practice it freely and respectfully with those who hold opinions different from theirs. For those who insist that their opinion alone deserves consideration and acceptance conversation is most assuredly a dying art, if not already dead. Conversation is where two or more people take turns listening patiently and respectfully while another person speaks of theirown opinions, understandings and curiosities. Shakespeare said conversation should be, "pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood."

    • Ed Schulte 50+

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      Nov 22 2011: Thank you
      for bringing forward the necessary qualifier here.

      I wasn't willng to ask if this is a conversation about debate, or, a debate around the art conversation.

      Alos re: " For those who insist that their opinion alone deserves consideration and acceptance "

      it is always FUN to remind "those" of the Dr D. R. Hawkins pointer, " ALL opinions are Vanity"

  • Robert Galway 20+

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    Nov 19 2011: Debate and argumentation are alive and well. It takes effort to prepare and argue professionally. Conversations often are less structured and go down the path of emotional thinking rather than critical thinking and formal propositions and rebuttal. With no moderation or organization, it seems that the loudest person and the person willing to be the most overbearing wins by default or causes the discussion to stop in disgust.

    However, writing, like these blogs, does permit conversations of the type you looking for to occur and flourish.
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    Jeronique Bartley

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    Nov 19 2011: The benefit of having the conversation is the benefit of having any conversation. We discuss things to show point of views, ways of life, beliefs, etc.

  • Drake Volkov

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    Nov 18 2011: Any in sight to this dwindling topic would be great.
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