If you're new around these parts, I just want to say how much I appreciate your dropping by! Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my feed. Thanks, and a tip o' the hat to ya!

[Note from the Proprietor: Speaking of the book, The Age of Conversation, yesterday I mentioned the chapter I contributed. Well, just to prove to you I really can write concisely and within ridiculously tight restrictions (400 words, on the money!), here's it is. If you have yet to purchase the book (and why are you waiting?), well, you're missing out on some amazing insights from 102 other folks.]

The Age of Conversation makes me think of… bridges.

Consider: We all know about bridges, right? You’ve seen and crossed hundreds, even thousands of them in your lifetime. Have you ever thought about what a bridge does? And while you’re pondering that, just exactly how do bridges relate to conversations, anyway?

A bridge, in terms of its function, connects or reduces the distance between two points. In other words, it makes it easier for you to get from here to there. Sounds reasonable, don’t you think? But what I find most interesting is the word applies equally to physical and non-physical worlds.

Now, before we go on, let’s consider the term conversation. Think of it as the use of speech for the informal exchange of views, ideas or information. You’ll note it’s also defined in terms of function.

For example, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco links together two points of land, effectively and dramatically reducing the travel distance between them. A barrier (the water) has been bridged.

In the same way, two people, even with wildly differing views on a particular subject, can bridge those differences with a single conversation, resulting in common understanding. Again, a barrier (differing viewpoints) has been bridged.

In a sense, then, the conversation is the bridge.

It has been rightly said that the secret to good blogging can be found in the art of conversation. What’s more, the proliferation of the World Wide Web has made it possible to conduct multiple conversations with folks anywhere there’s an appropriate computer and internet connection. And that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

Conversation, when employed wisely, can easily become an effective tool for bridging geographical, political, and ideological barriers. I talk to you; you talk to me – but watch out! You’re in a construction zone; a bridge is being built!

Distance? What’s distance to an electron traveling at the speed of light? Geography? No problem; all physical boundaries are irrelevant. Well, then what about political boundaries? Countries, cultures and/or ideologies can often be formidable boundaries. But here’s where the true power of conversation begins to shine forth for all to see.

Herein lies the danger – and also the exhilaration. With every post, a bridge magically springs forth that can span any conceivable barrier that could possibly be thrown in its way. Step across, if you dare.

The choice is yours.

(Photo courtesy of Zoey Bluesky)

You know, it would just be absolutely finer than a frogs hair if you would subscribe to my RSS feed!