A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That’s why there are so few
good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet.
― Truman Capote
The most fruitful and natural exercise for our minds is,
in my opinion, conversation.
― Michel de Montaigne, The Essays: A Selection
Is the flower that draws us closer–the deep yellow tones, the beauty–or the overall simplicity? Do we sometimes shun complexity? Can the messiness of life annoy us, leaving us perplexed, alone, and withdrawn? When I consider the art of real conversation and how seldom it seems to happen anymore, I have to wonder if we’ve grown weary of complexity. Are we quietly overwhelmed with contemporary life and just can’t find the energy to “dig in” to subjects anymore? Do we feel it’s futile to discuss topics that feel global, distant, and well beyond our control?
In our personal lives, do we still converse in some depth? Or is the impact of complexity also taking its toll in homes, schools, workplaces? Sometimes I sense that we rush to easy answers and assumptions because our thought process has been negatively impacted by the complexity of contemporary existence–the multitude of details we must attend to in any given day, the fierce competitiveness of our culture, and the rush-rush mentality that seems to surround our daily lives.
As for solutions, I’m not sure. It’s “complicated,” right? None of us have limitless energy; we all contend with different pressures and demands in any given day. So it’s understandable that we crave greater simplicity in our lives. But just being aware of this dynamic can be helpful. Maybe there is a way to bring back a healthier balance, to re-imagine or redesign our lives so we don’t forget that most things reside in a “gray zone” … most things will never be terribly cut and dried. And complexity can support creative decision-making instead of feeling like a burden.
Maybe we can find some wisdom in these words from Mark Twain …
“Let us make a special effort to stop communicating with each other, so we can have some conversation.”
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