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We live in a world of small-talk. That pisses me off. Our species has not only evolved the ability to understand abstract concepts, but to communicate them through the half-assed manipulation of our mouth-flaps and fingertips.

We squander this gift of communication when we ask questions we already have answers for, or worse yet, if we seek answers to questions we don't even care about.

Here's how this sub works: Ask a thought-provoking question to start a discussion, or make a challenging statement to start a debate. Your goal should not be to make jokes, ask leading questions, fill the air, or to troll people. My goal with this sub is to host meaningful discourse when it can be found, and none at all when it can not.

So with all that said, I'll start us off: How often do you practice small-talk? Why do you think we practice it at all? At what point (if at all) does it become harmful?

We live in a world of small-talk. That pisses me off. Our species has not only evolved the ability to understand abstract concepts, but to communicate them through the half-assed manipulation of our mouth-flaps and fingertips. We squander this gift of communication when we ask questions we already have answers for, or worse yet, if we seek answers to questions we don't even care about. Here's how this sub works: **Ask a thought-provoking question to start a discussion, or make a challenging statement to start a debate.** Your goal should not be to make jokes, ask leading questions, fill the air, or to troll people. My goal with this sub is to host meaningful discourse when it can be found, and none at all when it can not. So with all that said, I'll start us off: How often do you practice small-talk? Why do you think we practice it at all? At what point (if at all) does it become harmful?

8 comments

[–] Dabmanz 1 points (+1|-0)

From my understanding small talk is not harmful in anyway though I guess if it involves abusing someone for not listening it can but I see that as another variable and not part of just small talk in general.

I only consider it harmful when it replaces important discussion. Otherwise I just find it annoying.

Everyone (myself included) makes small-talk. It's usually harmless. I do get frustrated when (for example) people would rather talk about the weather, than talk about world events, or even just their feelings.

"Important discussion" is very subjective, but that's fine with me. I guess the root of my frustration is that some people place importance in what are (IMO) completely useless or trivial things.