#philosophy
#language
#conversation
#vision
#computation
#todo who research conversation/language, gather [[Information|information]]
# Related
- [[Philosophy/Humans/Conversation narcissism]]
- [[Conversational equilibrium]]
- [[Philosophy/Humans/Conversation inertia]]
# What is a conversation?
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>The true spirit of conversation consists more in bringing out the cleverness of others than in showing a great deal of it yourself; he who goes away pleased with himself and his own wit is also greatly pleased with you ~ [[Jean de la Bruyère]]
#outdated
## Optimising for lowest [[Kolmogorov complexity]]
>I think we personally think that talking should be following the optimal distribution of entropy, as a personally is in the process of reducing social interactions and having as much information being transmitted with the least amount of words. But I also know some people who have a totally opposite perspective.
Reducing the conversational [[Entropy ]]was indeed one goal of https://langa.me and ultimately let people have low conversational [[Kolmogorov complexity]]. i.e. optimising conversations for [[Cooperation]] in human/intelligent entities society.
## Low level
**Conversation** is, at a low level, [[Information]] communication, data processing.
## High level
A good communicator, say, [[Feynman]], will successfully transfer its model of things to other minds.
## Biological point of view
From a game theoretical point of view, we use **conversation** for our genes good, for the [[Selfish gene]]?
Did [[Trade]] created the need for **conversations**?
[[Trade]] beget the state and the state needs **conversations**.
## Common Bottlenecks
- Every partaker has a different model of things in its mind
- Every partaker has a different goal
- There is no [[Logic]] in people thinking, people infer, while not understanding [[Philosophy/Causality]]
### Kinds of conversations
#### Monologue
Most **conversations** are monologues, whether there is one person or several.
[[Reciprocity]] is not something in our nature.
We pursue **conversation** in order to seek confirmation, the least intelligent will not change their opinion if they do not get this confirmation
#### Self
Self-**conversation** is actually different than monologue in the sense that monologue are usually surrounded by other living beings.
Self **conversations** are purely with oneself, say, sitting in a room alone with little inputs to the senses, everything focused on thoughts.
#### One-to-one
true, [[Biology/Evolution/Red Queen]]-like competition of [[Memetic]]
#### One-to-many
highly deteriorated by the [[Ego]]
#### Many-to-many
Pure [[Noise]] (i.e. https://www.joinclubhouse.com/)
#### [[Philosophy/Rationality/Models/Exploration vs exploitation|Exploration vs exploitation]]
Is small talk a [[Noise]] in **conversations** that allows exploration?
### Language games ![[Language games]]
## Notes
- Anyone can decide to lead the **conversation** into a particular direction, thus, making interesting conversations to you is only up to you. Do not say "this **conversation** is boring", it is your fault.*
>What can be said at all can be said clearly; and whereof one cannot speak thereof one must be silent ~ [[Wittgenstein]]
# What makes a great conversation
>What makes a great conversation?
Great conversation rests on two elements.
First, we must be competent at rhetoric: the art of presenting and conveying our thoughts.
Second, we must understand what it takes to involve and engage the other person by drawing out the best of their thoughts and ensuring they benefit from the experience. A conversation must, by definition, be two-sided. Conversation is about connecting with the other person.
~ [[Farnam Street]]
1. Use active listening.
2. Find a way to connect.
3. Ask good questions.
4. Disagree the right way.
# Mechanical conversations
[[Langa 😛]]
Mechanical conversations are the best ones, machines are better than us at leading the conversation topic.
What is A what is B
How to do this that
What do you know about
# Conversation vary according to gender
Obviously, [[Feminism|men and women have different behaviour]] due to evolution.
>Studies of male conversation find it to be public (that is, men clam up at home), domineering, competitive, status-obsessed, attention-seek ing, factual, and designed to reveal knowledge and skill. Female conversation tends to be private (that is, women clam up in big groups). cooperative, rapport-establishing, reassuring, empathetic, egalitarian, and meandering (that is, to include talk for talk's sake).
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1990-98125-007
# Conversation vary according to personality
Obvious again, but I believe there is clear-cut personalities trait that influences more or less conversations such as:
- Marital status
- Education
- ?
Probably what is centered around the [[Monkey Brain]], sex, food, status etc.?
# Conversations do not scale ![[Conversations do not scale]]
# [[Fasting|Fasted]] conversation
>For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm of conversation.
>~ [[Plato]]
# Hacks
## Listening
>Practice really hearing what people say. Do your best to get inside their minds.
>~ [[Marcus Aurelius]]
# External links
https://doi.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fpspa0000281
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6733776_Things_We_Talk_about_How_Frequently_and_to_Whom_Frequency_of_Topics_in_Everyday_Conversation_as_a_Function_of_Gender_Age_and_Marital_Status -> http://libgen.li/edition.php?id=55163946
https://share.snipd.com/episode/94d99b8f-67fd-44c4-aa60-45e8a7e0844b
Similar topic links:
[[Conversation]]
[[Conversation narcissism]]
[[Social hacks]]
[[Conversations are incomplete information games]]
[[Conversation alignment]]