This will be a relatively short post, but I am hoping that people will engage in the comment section for this one. I will start it off with a simple prompt.
Describe the most interesting conversation you were part of today.
See? That wasn't painful, was it?
Or was it?
I don't know these days, as at times, I feel like I might go days without having truly engaging conversations offline. Partly this is because most of the time I am working and only a few of the people I work with are interested in truly discussing things and, I don't get to talk to them often. But, at home I also feel that the discussion around the house is rather practical and doesn't dive into anything that is interesting.
It is all about schedules and illness, what to eat, clean, fix...
For me at least, most of the interesting conversations happen in two places and one of those places feels conceited to mention, because it is in my own head. No, I don't hear voices (other than my own), it is just that I spend quite a lot of time thinking about various aspects of life and my experience with it, which is also where all of my writing comes from. Which is the second place I tend to have more interesting conversations or at least, thought-provoking comments - where people engage with my thoughts through my writing and then, add their own experiences, perspectives and opinions.
I often write about how I think this society is becoming more disconnected from each other, but I am not sure if people actually feel it in the same way I do or, have any tangible evidence of it happening. However, I also think that if we review the conversations we have with each other, their topic, depth and level of trust and intimacy involved, we might be able to see proof of what we are missing, often craving.
I also think that while digital communication can be somewhat of a savior for many, it is likely a stop-gap measure that doesn't fully replace our human needs for quality interaction and relationship development. It is more like a filler food for our experience, but doesn't have all the nutritional value we need to live what we would under reflection, believe to be a good life, a valuable life, a life in which we mattered.
Perhaps it is just me?
Maybe I am just discontented with my own life and therefore feel that others are in the same boat, but I don't think this is at least the entire case. At least from a lot of my own experience, I know that some of my own acquaintances are indeed craving good conversation, personal connection, someone to not only talk to, but someone to also actually listen to what is being said and be part of the discussion, not just a sounding board.
Last week there was a conversation on a topic and I mentioned building valuable reference groups, which is something the rest of the people didn't really have in terms of a group of people who would help each other be better. Instead, there was the general consensus that rather than a reference group that would help each other be their best, it was a group they could compare themselves against and be looking to beat. instead. They saw it as a group to compete with, not a group to grow with.
So, another prompt:
Do you belong to a group who helps each other grow?
Oops, this is longer than I wanted it to be already.
But I wonder, since more and more people seem to be spending less time actually out and about with people who really know them, does the average person even have much opportunity to build a reference group? And, if these groups are more digital and online, are they as valuable, or is there a lack of transparency on various topics that lessens their effectiveness?
Right, I will leave it there and see what comments arise, but hopefully people are willing to discuss these things and perhaps even, make some next steps for themselves if they see opportunity to improve at least their own wellbeing, if not the wellbeing of others too.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]