Sep

16

Talking with strangers is surprisingly informative

"anybody knows more about something than you do"

Significance

Conversation can be a useful source of learning about practically any topic. Information exchanged through conversation is central to culture and society, as talking with others communicates norms, creates shared understanding, conveys morality, shares knowledge, provides different perspectives, and more. Yet we find that people systematically undervalue what they might learn in conversation, anticipating that they will learn less than they actually do. This miscalibration stems from the inherent uncertainty of conversations, where it can be difficult to even conceive of what one might learn before one learns it. Holding miss-calibrated expectations about the information value of conversation may discourage people from engaging in them more often, creating a potentially misplaced barrier to learning more from others.

Zubin Al Genubi agrees:

I've noticed people don't listen well. They often like to talk. Its good to listen and encourage others to talk and they think you are a great conversationalist. As Yogi Berra said, Listen and its amazing what you can learn. I have some good ideas but no one listens to me.

William Huggins adds:

2018's Nobel in econ went out (in part) for the endogenous growth theory, which posits that a good part of economic growth that isn't "more people" or "more kit" comes from the positive externality associated with education. Romer basically says that once someone learns how to do something better, we gain by having them tell us about it. people uncomfortable with updating their beliefs might avoid conversation and lose out as a result (value of keeping an open mind?)

Nils Poertner writes:

deep down it is probably that we are so excited about our own ideas (whether adequate or not) - that we often over-sell it to ppl in our own social circle. mea culpa. whereas with strangers it is often more a light touch - or an encounter that lasts a few minutes only and this lightness creates a magic…and a sparkle and that is all that is needed sometimes.

Gary Phillips expands:

I've always been a gregarious person, not because I am socially needy, but because I often find conversations with strangers to be an edifying experience. Quite instinctively I gravitate to the following people:

1) smarter / better educated individuals - if you're going to converse with someone, you might as well learn something. I love talking with my friend David, who is a Lubavitch rabbi. His knowledge of the Talmud is extraordinary, and its analogs to trading are remarkable.

2) older people - experience has given them a rational perspective on life and insights that are invaluable. My favorite encounter was with Lou Lesser, a L.A. real estate developer who was 93 when I picked him up in Beverly Hills and drove him to Laguna Beach. He regaled me with stories about his life, including personal experiences with Marilyn Monroe, John Kennedy, and Mickey Cohen. It was a ride I'll never forget.

3) tourists in the U.S. - talking with a 2 young ladies from Kyrgyzstan I met at a local bar in Chicago. Extremely intelligent and well educated, they were extremely critical of the lack of education and sophistication of the average American. They were completely shocked by Americans' lack of knowledge and ignorance of what lies outside of America. I was the only American they had met, who had heard of their country. Nevertheless, while they were very cynical, they were also beautiful, charming, and thoroughly engaging.

4) people from diverse and varied walks of life- if you are seeking a diverse experience with people of varying levels of social status, there's no place better than the joint. My 30 days spent incarcerated in the Montgomery County Correctional facility was not necessarily entertaining, but it was certainly educational. There's not much street cred to be earned jacking an O.G., so I was afforded a level of respect, and was able to engage and befriend various inmates, from incredibly disparate backgrounds and lifestyles.

5) people you meet while travelling- my favorite aspect about traveling is the ability to meet a wide variety of people. I have a tendency to let my guard down while traveling, and open up even more than usual. recent trips to Japan, Mexico, and Crete were made all the more enjoyable because of the people my wife and I interreacted with and met.

Kim Zussman responds:

Typically internationals - especially Europeans - look down on Americans in this way. As if the prize is not what you own but what (or who) you know (especially in France).

Funny thing is that in most countries outside the US wealth-generation efforts are futile because of huge governments and massive corruption. At least if smart people aren't allowed to become rich at least they can become educated, cultured, and erudite. Their educated-but-poor status is a consolation prize, and when they are here there is envy.

In the USSR the only wealthy people were in government or military - which is the same now with the addition of para-governmental oligarchs. You can be talented and work like the devil but if you're not connected you have to settle for Dostoyevsky and Dugin.

The problem with America is that, for the most part - less so in recent years - the main limit on your personal success is yourself. This is not very compassionate (elevation of failure), and is the fuel of socialism. We are ugly Americans for not expending formative decades on poetry, languages, and philosophy - but allowing people to compete in a quasi-free economy.

Pamela Van Giessen writes:

There are interesting people wherever you look for them. Especially in this day and age, no one place has a monopoly on interesting and clever.

Larry Williams agrees:

And they don’t have a clue where our state and cities are. Snobs for the most part Europe is not superior to much of anything other that Italian wine and food. It’s a worn out old lady that was beautiful in its day.

William Huggins asks:

Any Americans here happen to read Gustavus Myers America Strikes Back (1935)? He had a pretty savage takedown of European elitists that's heavy on economic history and well referenced. Much of the sentiment here echoes his charges.

Stefan Jovanovich notes:

Disdain for Americans at home and abroad is the oldest of all cultural traditions. It has survived the death of beaver hats, bustles and whist and shows no signs of decline. I think the scorn for Americans here in their own country has its root in bewilderment - how can all these fat stupid slobs have made their language and money the world standards for communication and exchange? Beats me.

Boris Simonder suggests:

A test would be to survey domestic population on domestic locations of cities/states. Who would do better since you mention location of cities/states? Jay Leno has some clips from his Walk of fame episodes.

High quality cars Larry, at least fossil, although EVs and H2 is up-coming and leading. Telecom networks, Beer, furniture design, clothing designs, Handbags/Cases, Trucks, Industrial/Electrical Machinery/Equipment, Pharma, Mineral fuels, Plastics, Optical/technical medical apparatus, Iron/Steel, Organic chemicals, Insulated wire/cables, Optical readers, Centrifuges, Electrical converters, Auto parts to name a few high value exports. EU accounts for approx 30% of total global export value. Just a tad more than Italian wine and food.

That old lady still has some of the most beautiful ones. Go visit Norway again.

Larry Williams responds:

I'll take the food! You can have the handbags and such.


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