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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   3577 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 14, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Not sure that is the best route for you.

I've seen this a thousand times and it's (almost)never about lacking specific knowledge about popular culture, the issue is that you think this is the issue. You're trying to engage in these subjects like a nerd would discussing his nerdy interests. People generally don't want to talk like that even about the things they are interested in.

What you need to do is learn how to engage in small talk, not study popular culture like there's an exam coming.

I honestly feel like theres something to be said for the old "did you see that ludicrous display last night?" strategy. I've also heard of, but never been able to find, old Victorian books that gave a surface level knowledge of many things - just enough to be involved in a conversation, but not a deep knowledge of anything (kind of like reading the first paragraph of a ton of wikipedia articles).

I suppose, but for that you just read the morning newspaper.

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