What makes good conversation?
Posted by kevin Mon, 01 Aug 2005 17:07:21 GMT
Group communication is one of those things that fascinates anyone involved in social networks.
I’ve always been fairly good at it. There’s a lot of interesting things in life, and when you look at the members involved in a small group of friends, bringing up something everyone feels passionate, but not too passionate, about, is a good bet. Sometimes it breaks down, or gets more complicated.
Humans make things complicated. You ever notice that? It’s rather strange, because it seems like they could be so much simpler. To go for an example:
Had dinner last night with two friends from college and one’s girlfriend. The love triangle is where it gets interesting. I was interested in both of them at various times, and here’s the kicker: they were interested in each other :) Who got who? They got each other. But meanwhile they eventually broke up, moved distant, and the three of us don’t see each other much.
Trying to make conversation, I realized that the situation is really complicated. I’ve always been a believer that you shouldn’t be good friends with ex’s because they are always somewhat attractive, etc.
It gets worse silghtly worse, in that my friend broke up with her girlfriend recently, so was in a bit of a funk. And my sister and her boyfriend broke up that day (not present, but still had me a little glum). So there’s not huge amounts of ecstatic energy.
What do you talk about when getting together with old friends? Talk about your good times back when. But we all have bad memory ability, and anyways, the point is to have a good time now, not realize how far from then now is.
Next stop? What has changed, what are you doing now, etc. But that’s more a take-turns thing than a group discussion.
Anyways, I thought it was interesting how my internal ‘algorithm’ broke down somewhat. It didn’t really bother me, I was quite at ease, but it’s just fascinating. Group relationships, complicated humans!
Technorati Tags: love triangle, conversation, social networks
i had a good time then, when talking about times past and when just talking and hanging out. =) actually, i had a much better time than i even expected to.
i’ve alternately been friends and been alienated from exes. friends is by far my preferred solution, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. and it’s always helped by a buffer of time. it may not heal all wounds, but it certainly helps.
and i have to say that as far as the exes that i’m still in contact with, i’m not attracted to any of them. physically, i suppose i should temper that with, as obviously there is some attraction there or i wouldn’t bother talking to them. i have no idea what they think, have never asked, honestly. years and other relationships can help with that sort of thing, though.
that’s all. i’m bored at work, and someone mentioned this post, so i thought i’d come take a look and spout off for a bit. =)
God Bless!