John Mcdermott's Conversations

In today’s world, technology often seems to get in the way of real human connection. This concern has even spawned self-improvement classes designed to improve one’s conversation skills. John McDermott, executive comment editor of the Financial Times, writes about his experience and musings in his article “How to Have a Conversation.” McDermott describes matter-of-factly his attendance to a class aimed at helping people become better conversationalists. His writing, intended for anyone who wishes they could connect with their loved ones in a more meaningful way, includes quotes from multiple renowned conversationalists, which lend authority to McDermott’s purpose, which illustrates that the way to have a conversation, is simply to make the choice to have one. Conversation does not require great knowledge, or carefully thought out techniques; the act of talking, listening, and
He starts his writing off with a simile, quoting English essayist Thomas De Quincey who compared an evening with English poet Samuel Coleridge to a great river. This comparison informs the reader on McDermott’s view of conversation as entertainment that, like a great river, sweeps you away. McDermott references the rules as stated by Roman philosopher Cicero, Dale Carnegie, author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, and the teacher of the class. These rules are intended to promote conversation, but outlining the do’s and do not’s rather seem to inhibit conversation instead by restricting what people are allowed to talk about. There is also reference to technology standing in the way, but McDermott rightly highlights that technology has always been a concern by referencing George Orwell’s complaint about having a radio in every room. This puts the argument of technology as a hurdle to conversation where it belongs; a convenient excuse as to why we have so much trouble