This week was pretty good. It's starting to be more like spring around here. I didn't review any books but I did post chapter 6 of To Love Is Human. And if you want to see an actual synth user guide you can go here. It's based on the AMC show Humans from a few years ago- very cool! I've also got a video from Amazon Prime about the Wilds- has anyone watched that show?- exploring whether Toni and Shelby are an astrology match. I knowww...
This week I have two tweets for discussion.
Anyway... this is a fabulous nighttime tour in the rain. Check out the dinosaurs (real???) at 4:50 and especially at 6:50, and also 23:12 is great.
I'm liking the idea of sharing a tweet occasionally to generate discussion.
The lack of small talk is making me feel happier than ever, sorry https://t.co/sahrl1iMYX
— Marina Amaral (@marinamaral2) April 24, 2021
The Pentecostal belief in an imminent rapture obviously has serious consequence for how Morrison approaches big picture, long term issues eg. environmental sustainability and climate change.
— Mike 🐀 (@weme_l) April 27, 2021
Song of the week
PULP COVER OF THE WEEK:
BOOKISH LINKS
I post a lot walking videos but this one is an upscale ish residential area
Look, Shoni works, no matter what their signs are. Those are the facts. Damn those tweets are something! I, personally, have mixed feelings about small talk. I am an awkward (and annoying) mix of extrovert and socially anxious, which do NOT coexist well. So while I crave social connections, random small talk with strangers is not my fave?
ReplyDeleteAs for the second one, so much to unpack. I genuinely didn't know that there were people who legit believed that we were facing rapture. Like I thought those were the Kool-aid cult types, but here we are. Oy. I think anyone who can't separate religion from state shouldn't be a leader. Full stop. If you're too into your religion to allow others to live their lives, then you have no business pretending to be a public servant. Because the truth is, people like that, in positions of power, are absolutely forcing their own agendas. Like- I don't care if a leader has their own faith, that is obviously fine, but I don't have any desire to be governed by it.
Haha, maybe I'm weird because I'm in no way an extrovert but I do love small talk. It feels nice to be friendly to be treated with kindness and friendliness in return. Sometimes I even get to meet fascinating people, and even if they're complete strangers that I'll never see again, I always feel my life is richer for having met them and heard their stories.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's definitely true that the small talk has gone down... though I can't say it is more "honest", at least it is to the point. People also have more time for blogging, so that's always a plus. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely "Tree" image, I'm saving that for my desktop wallpaper.
~Lex
I am 100% happy without small talk. I am an extrovert through and through (big surprise, right?!) but I have no time for small talk.
ReplyDeleteMaybe because I'm an introvert, I really don't care that small talk has gone down. I've been told several times over the years that in person I don't talk unless I really have something to say.
ReplyDeleteThe weather here has been up and down. It was almost 90 one day, and windy and 50s the next. We had the heat on this morning, but the a/c now. I just go with the flow. I had no idea small talk was gone. I still do it in shops and a bit on work calls.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd, I don't really miss small talk, but I don't live alone. I would say that we are all talking to our neighbours etc about the same as normal, just a little further away but here in the SW of England we haven't been anywhere near as badly hit as elsewhere in the country.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter keeps on telling me that I am an extrovert but I think I am an ambivert.
Charlotte Burt's Books
Sometimes small talk drives me crazy, depending on the situation.
ReplyDeleteThe weather around here has been great. A perfect time to get out and workout in the park!
Always love your Japanese pictures. Stay healthy and have a good week!
I don't miss small talk that much to be honest, but I do miss Humans! And I mean the TV series :P I watched it when I was in England and I loved it! No surprise that I clicked on the user guide right away, right? ;) Thanks, Greg!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear it has been a pretty good week and that you've been enjoying some more spring-like weather. Take care and happy reading in the coming week and in May! 🙂
ReplyDeleteI really don't like small talk. I'm also just really bad at it and it makes me feel uncomfortable. LOL! But I must admit that not being able to go outside and talk to people that much is also making it harder when I actually have to talk to people. Like I'm already unlearning how to do it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week Greg and happy reading.
I totally suck at small talk and often left perplexed on social settings. So I am glad to say that one thing good came out of this whole pandemic thing. I am happy you get to enjoy spring, cuz we had pleasant weather for say a week in Dubai and it has started getting hot already.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and cheerful!
I don't miss small talk at all lol. I've heard The Wilds on Prime is good.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the pulp cover reminds me I went to a local used book and record shop recently and they have a section of those old pulp covers. When I go back I'll have to snap a pick of those.
Happy reading this week!
OMG! The idea of evangelicals in positions of power and allowing their beliefs to interfere with governing makes my blood boil!
ReplyDeleteI grew up around people with those beliefs, and couldn't wait to wipe the gore off of myself!
Enjoy your week, and thanks for visiting my blog.
I'm not a fan of small talk either. I absolutely loved working from home because it eliminated so much of that (and the mean things people would say in meetings - they didn't seem to want to do that over zoom calls.)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had a good week! I have mixed feelings about small talk... usually I am not really in the mood lol xD I prefer direct and to the point. Loving the images you've posted this week! So gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWell I love small talk and chitchat! But ok I am very chatty so probably the queen of smal talks LOL Have a great week Greg!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing that Shannon always comments first, so I can just say I agree withe everything she said and call it a day LOL. Seriously, I do.
ReplyDeleteSmall talk, mmh. Not a huge fan, but it's not like I hate it, unless someone starts vomiting opinions I don't agree with on me LOL.
Ha! I didn't expect the dino to move!
Hm. Interesting points here, Greg! In my opinion, small talk is not used online, because it's use is in face to face interactions to indicate our innate friendliness. Eg, if I'm asking after your daughter's health and commiserating on the rain, then I'm less likely to punch you on the nose and steal your wallet... But those signifiers are also used to rebond and re-establish friendship bonds. I'm a hugger and I know that not being able to hug those I love for far too long has profoundly hurt me emotionally. And if I didn't have a loving and lovely spouse to hug, right now - I'd probably be fit to be poured into a bucket.
ReplyDeleteAs to the business with Rapture, etc - the people who think End Days are around the corner haven't bothered to look at our history. Lethal epidemics have been a fact of human existence. From smallpox, cholera, TB - even measles - to the bubonic plague and Spanish flu we have been dying in our hundreds and thousands on a reasonably regular basis. It's changed the course of history on a number of occasions... But Rapture??
Anyway, that's my twopennyworth! Have a great week, Greg:)).
I'm an introvert and I'm really not a fan of chit-chat but the lack of it over the past year has had a negative impact on me in terms of my ability (and desire) to interact with the world... I really do think it's necessary (at least in small doses) to help maintain functional social skills. I'd also comment that I've noticed that a lot of people (out in stores, driving etc) seem to have become semi-feral and a little aggressive and I put that down to lack of interacting with people on a regular basis... But maybe they're just assholes usually and the pandemic has given them an excuse to let rip? Who knows.
ReplyDeleteAs for overt-religiosity in politicians... Nope. Hell nope. I HATE it. Religion is fine but people have to accept that other people do not believe the things they do and that they have no right to try and impose their beliefs on others. I know that the Australian PM is technically not doing that but if there is any hint that his religious leanings are impacting upon his ability to effectively govern, they should vote him out. If they don't, they're accepting it/passively agreeing with it. (And now I climb off my heated soapbox, lol)
I love how the tweets inspire debate! :)
I'm not a big fan of small talk, so I definitely don't miss it. Maybe being an introvert has something to do with my feelings. I don't know. Just not one to mind that it's been non-existent since the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week!
I am so bad at small talk, but I feel like having so little interaction with people isn't helping me get over that! I definitely feel like spring has finally arrived, and it is glorious!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind small talk. It's a way to ease into conversation. I use it on a daily basis with my patients. We've jumped from Spring to Summer quickly out here with temps in the upper 90s last week. :( Enjoy your mild temps!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out your new chapter!
I watched one episode of The Wilds and really liked it, but I've been waiting to watch more until my daughter can watch with me---and we already watch too many shows!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I don't like small talk,especially the running into someone at the store type of small talk. I did watch The Wilds-- I LOVED IT!I wish we knew Martha's fate. I hope she's alive. It could go either way with how the story played out during season one. (this is not a spoiler). Also Leah is the worst! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSmall talk is a must in new situations with new people. It's how we break the ice and open up with one another. But new people and crowds scare me so...It's a necessary evil! lol.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched the Wilds but I've heard good things. I'll have to add it to my list.
I hope you have a great week!
Well, I am having small talk with two other neighbors almost every time I see them. And that hasn´t changed during the pandemic. Only that we do it now with social distancing and only when we are outside. And yes, the things we are talking about have changed too. More serious stuff now, so I guess, yes, the small talk has died *smile*
ReplyDeleteI love these posts that make me put on a thinking cap for a couple of minutes. People are always surprised to know that I'm shy, but I worked all my life to keep it hidden, so I almost always can talk to anyone for about 1-2 minutes about anything(lol), but I'm always happy to move on to the next thing. I'm into pop culture and trivia, so I do watch things that happen in every day life, and can usually find a way to turn into a conversation or blog post.(lol) Religion is a personal thing, so I don't judge. Hope you're doing well, and enjoying the warmer weather. Hugs, Gorgeous Greg! RO
ReplyDeleteI hate small talk but as I’m British it generally involves the weather. In all honesty I generally go out of my way to avoid talking to people unless I really want to.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week.
Hi Greg! Yes, those tweets are open for discussion for sure. In case you haven't noticed the sometimes senseless banter on my blog, I'm a small talk type of person. I guess it comes with the job. I talk to parents THE WHOLE day and they love the little nitty gritty chit chat. I quite easily speak to strangers as well and I guess people talk easily to me as well. Maybe it's because I'm small and they mistake me for a child...!! LOL
ReplyDeleteCan't really comment on the religious tweets, missed those ones.
Anyway! I hope you will have a good week and may nobody chit chat with you!! (Winky face)
Elza Reads
I hate small talk, but I am also good at it, cos awkward silence is worse
ReplyDeleteIt's pouring down rain here so that rainy tour is perfect! I don't mind small talk to much. It's kind of mindless and a way to have a conversation with someone without getting into things I have zero interest in discussing!
ReplyDeleteNice that you are getting Spring. A little small talk I think is okay, so long as it's not too long or boring!
ReplyDeleteI deplore our current PM and his faith, Pentecostalism in particular is a damaging cult given their beliefs about the poor being undeserving, that women ought to be subservient to men, and that climate change is irrelevant in the face of the rapture. He is making a mockery of our separation of Church and State, decimating our social policies, and stacking the government with his corrupt cronies. I am worried he won’t be voted out though because he appeals to conservatives who care more for profit than people, much like your Republicans, and I’m starting to believe they outnumber the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to watch The Wilds! I will have to add it to our list.
ReplyDeleteI am not good at small talk. :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see small talk be gone, never really had the hang of it.
ReplyDeleteThat video of the doing playing with the rooster was so much fun!
--Dianthaa
Interesting thoughts on small talk. I've never been very good at it. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide if I should take those tweets seriously or not.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Spring is definitely here too. I have the windows open at the moment and am hoping the air conditioner doesn't kick on so we can continue to enjoy the breeze coming through. I kind of feel bad for my husband. He works upstairs during the day and it gets so warm up there. It's cooler where my daughter and I do our work/school downstairs.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were talking just yesterday about the pros and cons of working from home. We are both introverts and not huge fans of small talk as it is. I do miss some of the social interactions from being in the office with others though. When I am in the office, there are so few of us and often I'm alone. When there is someone else though, I find we don't really engage in much small talk, but we do talk about weightier topics. Phone and video meetings just are not the same. There's a sort of disconnect that can happen, I think, when everyone is working from home in their own little bubble. We can't as easily bump ideas off each other nor do we have the immediate support when we are dealing with an especially difficult situation. I can see how that could lead to burnout.
The insomnia and tree artwork are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you have a great week, Greg!
Well, I haven't had a break from small talk as my husband is around 24/7 and he loves to talk. But I'm sure that if someone lives alone, the lack of small talk could be hard.
ReplyDeleteI've also made an effort to stay in contact with my friends during this time. In fact, I'm seeing more of two of my closest friends now. We used to get together once a month or so. Now, we have bi-weekly zoom chats! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories
I am not a huge fan of small talk, but then again if you don't have small talk you never get to know someone one and so there is that.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Stormi
Stormi
Week in Review
Spring has sprung here too, and the pollen of course. I sneeze almost every time I walk out of the house, lol. I honestly can't say that I have missed the small talk. I'm terrible at it and it usually just makes me anxious. Loving the Tattooine ambient sounds. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteI decided to write one post a month as a discussion post. Unfortunately I got too busy in April to write one, but my posts in January through March made me very happy.
ReplyDeleteHappy spring!
That Floating Bedroom cover is racy! :-D The woman makes me think of a young Elizabeth Taylor.
ReplyDeleteAs an introvert, I don't particularly care for small talk but I've learned to do it. The only good point I see is that it can open doors to more in-depth discussions.
Enjoy your week!
I miss small talking with people, actually. It was one of those things I enjoyed especially if the small talk led to deeper insight into those people. As for the Aussie PM, well, I guess they'll have to see. But we elected Joe Biden despite being Catholic and he's doing a good job so far.
ReplyDeleteIt's mostly spring here, too! It has flurried a few times in the past couple of weeks, but nothing stuck. 🌷🌷🌷
ReplyDeleteMany Evangelicals believe the "rapture" is near, too. 🙄 That's why the US needs a complete separation of church and state also.
I hope your week has been great so far! 🌞