Boring, Boring-er, Boring-est - going...going....zzzzzzzzz (Feb/20/2007 )

Don’t you guys feel that we’re on a slump, a slowdown to a complete standstill here in chitchat? Could it be because it’s freezing February and we’ve shaken off the last hangover of the past holiday? Are we getting busier or just running out of topics to discuss? Even in the question chains we seem to be asking and answering the same people. (In fact, I think that I’m having an almost exclusive conversation with hobglobin whom I’ve teased about being retro but is actually pretty cool).

So I’ve been thinking (blame it on all the free time I have these days)…..instead of asking what sparks people’s interest to have them engaging in a lively discussion, why don’t we take a different tack and ask which topics do most people find trite and boring e.g., religion, Kant’s philosophy, ethics, politics, literature, art, current affairs, Britney Spears….

Mine is a not-so-long list at the top of which is computer stuff followed by any work-related topic. At the end of a long workday, when I leave work I leave work at work. It helps to hang out with a different crowd though. I won’t be caught dead discussing primary cell cultures and FCM analysis (how can the dead discuss anyhow?) How about it folks, which topics turn you off or lull you to sleep?

---

Anything to do with the so-called celebrities we seem to have a plague of at present (including Ms Spears, Mrs Beckham and Paris (what kind of person would name their child after a city, I ask you...) Hilton), and my mother-in-law's small-talk whenever we are visiting.

---

I think it is a temporary phenomenon, activity here (+ time wasted ) follows a wave-like shape, now it is in a trough. And the first meetings are on the way (I prepare for one, next week I have a presentation ), people become after the xmasandendoftheyear depression and holidays more and more busy.
My list: sports (except bloody, horrible accidents & scandals) , children (sorry, parents), weather, too private subjects, celebrities (again except bloody, horrible accidents).

---

Religion - my gods better than your god
- well my gods more omnipotent than yours
- mine is omnipresent but wouldnt be seen dead near you
- die scum die!

you get the idea
even as a scientist i have no problem with belief - its just when this is taken over and made into another way for the few to gain power over the many it really annoys me.

we should rant more often - that felt good

---

You don’t sound like you’re turned off or lulled to sleep by this topic Dominic…but more like you’re stimulated, inflamed, enraged, impassioned by it…die scum die… a slow excruciating death (you forgot that bit) and I agree, we should do this often.. er… to rant and rave. It could be so therapeutic.

---

ahh the question of what gets on my goat - well could be here a while people. today it is maily traffic, people who cannot drive, the soggy cold weather and the fact that my man is in a personal crisis and won't (typically for a man!) ask for help!!!
and that is just today - don't get me started on teh last 4 months!!

THAT IS ENOUGH FOR NOW!

Lx

---

I wouldn't care really what the subject of discussion was, so long as I could get some kind of feeling out of the other participants. In sweden, it is like pulling teeth.

My boyfriend belongs to a book club, and when they discuss books the comments are lukewarm at best, with "Yeah, I thought it was quite ok" (positive) or "I didn't think that was that great" (negative).

Whatever happened to launching vitriolic attacks on other people's taste (or lack thereof)?

If we go to the movies, same thing. Lukewarm response and rating. BORING!

I want to look at art, watch movies, read books, listen to music and experience stuff with people that actually have the capacity to be moved by something, and say so!

P.S. Politics and religion excluded, as people tend to get offended and stay offended after the argument

---

hmmm...Calvin, at one point there was an excellent C&H strip where Calvin's hypothesis was that entertainment was created by controversy...and perhaps another where conversations were like sports'games, with points...do you happen to have either one at your fingertips? they seem most appropriate here

---

Are you talking about people in general or scientists/researchers in particular? But I know what you mean- sometimes engaging someone in a discussion is really like pulling teeth. A monologue would be more fun especially if you can do voices.

However, you can’t really tell if the other person has no opinion, no depth of emotion or passion at all by his vocal/verbal response to you. Maybe he’s not expressive enough and in the worst case scenario- he’s just not interested to have any conversation with you or about the topic but is just too polite to give you the cut direct. This we will never know for sure.

But you’re right- why join a book club if all you will ever say is yes I like it or no I don’t…it defeats the purpose of joining one and then profiting from the experience. On the other hand, I have been in some gatherings and web forums wherein you literally drown in a million words …you can’t even put a word in …where everyone is hell-bent on proving each other wrong and ‘winning the argument’ is the ultimate goal. How would you fare then?

---

In terms of culture- here you keep your opinion and your emotions to yourself. Polite, but boring.

In terms of personality in relationships- neutral and highly emotional balance well (it seems so anyway, thus far). My other provides the calm logic, and I provide the dashes of enthusiasm, or fire and brimstone when needed.

As for your latter comment, well that is why I said I exclude politics and religion. The discussion can get completely out of control, because unlike a book, people can be much more fierce in their beliefs, and there is less room to disagree. And, a screaming match is a perfect way to ruin a nice cup of tea.

---