

117. Say It, See It: How to Connect Through Conversation
103 snips Nov 28, 2023
Shane O’Mara, a professor of experimental brain research at Trinity College Dublin, dives into the fascinating world of communication. He reveals that conversations are essential for creating a shared reality, where emotions and memories sync between people. O’Mara discusses techniques like active listening and turn-taking, vital for effective dialogue. He also highlights the role of gossip in social navigation and the importance of brevity, especially when connecting with teenagers. Overall, he emphasizes how our brains harmonize through language and interaction.
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Pre-Mortem Analysis
- Be aware of cognitive biases, especially focusing on the upside of decisions.
- Conduct a pre-mortem analysis, assuming failure to identify potential downsides.
Conversation's Essence
- Conversation creates shared realities through communication, primarily spoken language.
- It involves sharing emotions, memories, and future plans.
Conversation's Ingredients
- Conversations blend language, memory, and imagination, aligning mental states for prediction.
- Humans, as social animals, constantly try to understand each other's thoughts.