The Smalltalk Question

The Smalltalk Question by Aaron Swartz, via Raw Thought, Raw Nerve: Inside the Mind of Aaron Swartz: One of the minor puzzles of American life is what question to ask people at parties and suchly to get to know them. “How ya doin’?” is of course mere formality, only the most troubled would answer honestly for anything but the positive. “What do you do?” is somewhat offensive. First, it really means “what occupation do you hold?” and thus implies you do little outside your occupation. Second, it...

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