While conversing with someone your own age have you ever thought, “Holy crap, it's like talking to a ten-year-old”? Well, this seems to be happening more and more. I am no genius by any standards, but I fear for the future of mankind when a grown man or woman tells me things, like:
“I'm a'scared of that.”
“I have ten years sperience, so I should get the job.”
“You'se guys got a bigger raise than me.”
It's A Marriage Breaker
The people mentioned above probably didn't make it through high school, but even if they had, what good is any diploma if we allow our minds to stagnate? As a case in point, consider young newly weds as they attempt to go through life together. She stays home and does the cooking and cleaning. He goes to work everyday and is exposed to the intricacies of business (even if he's just working as a sales clerk in a store). She watches her soap operas everyday. He meets people that inform him of current events through simple conversation: “The president just signed…” “The stock market is taking a beating.” “Australia has some of the deadliest creatures in the world.” Even if the topics are trivial, his mind is growing, bit by bit every day, month after month, year after year.
Waiting for the dishwasher to finish, she checks out what the future holds for her via the horoscope. With the chicken in the oven, there is nothing better at killing time than playing Slingo on-line. She makes idle chatter with friends while doing the laundry. “You really think maroon curtains go with green carpeting?” “My little Billy is learning how to play the flute.”
From three to five years into the marriage he starts getting bored with her. Their conversations are no longer stimulating for him. She has devoted her life to being the best housewife, mother, and lover. And yet, it's no longer possible to talk to him, and he no longer even tries. The marriage has gone sour for the both of them.
It's Not Just Women
The marriage scenario was just an easy example of how someone can stagnate intellectually. Men are quite prone to this, too. Give them their beer and a Three Stooges marathon and who cares what's going on in the world? While their acquaintances are deep into a chat over the war in Iraq, these marathon lovers are wondering why Larry and Curly went bald and Moe didn't.
Go Back To School
Hey, want to save your marriage? Want to converse with others without sounding like an uninformed child? Take an occasional class in something: political science, history, even dog psychology. Any subject will keep that gray matter from wasting away.
Do Stuff!
Both, with your partner and without, take up hang gliding, ballroom dancing, origami… All these activities aren't just to get you involved and keep you busy. It's so others can find you interesting in a simple chat.
