tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642011.post-66401644479723832452007-12-13T21:07:00.000-05:002007-12-13T21:07:00.000-05:002007-12-13T21:07:00.000-05:00<I>Many people (outside of academia) seem to be just the opposite: uncomfortable with serious discussion, comfortable with small talk.</I>.<BR/><BR/>I'm not entirely convinced that the discussions that happen in academia (philosophy included) are at all serious. Nor am I convinced that the discussions that happen outside of academia--the conversations the "normals" engage in--are not serious. Also, people outside of academia may not be comfortable with small talk. They may just engage in small talk as a result of being uncomfortable with non-intimates, as a way to "break the ice."<BR/><BR/>Just some quick thoughts.<BR/><BR/>-Jonathan H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com