Conversation

The art of conversation is dead. Kids and adults nowadays prefer to text; things like IDK and TTYL (I don’t know and talk to you later) are now part of the lexicon. It takes away from the subtle subtext that happens in a one on one or one to many conversation - a “I don’t know” depending on how you say it could mean I want to learn more or I don’t really give a damn. 

The little conversation that one is subject to on television (not just in India; it’s the same across the entire world) and would probably engage in the work environment has become a slanging match of who can scream louder. The loudest doesn’t mean that the idea being conveyed is sound and has a good foundation. 

The knowledge of the subtle nuances of non verbal conversation and communication are a skill that only the successful folks display. There was a time when this was fairly known and to be considered as a good conversationalist would have meant that one had to be well read and would be able to make arguments based in good logic and fairly strong foundations. Now a days it’s more like - can I be the loudest. 

The other issue with the current situation is that people have forgotten how simple it is to be courteous even if you oppose a point of view. It’s more extreme now - anti national, wrong colour etc etc... The English language doesn’t differentiate between “you” for example but a lot of languages do; and saying “aap” verses “tu” talks a lot about how courteous one can be in Hindi 

I believe that in the next 20 years or so the really successful folks will be the ones that can have a conversation, a debate without having to yell . I for one will be teaching my kids how to converse.