The Minnesota Twins played well.
Who cares? This conversation starter stinks like early morning coffee urine. And yet we all do it. The Tier 4 conversation cannot be avoided, even for those familiar with the concept of Conversation Tiers. Prepare to classify.
“Conversation Tiers” are defined as:
Tier 1: Abstract ideas, philosophy. The highest form of conversation. Example of a Tier 1 conversation starter: “The repetition of notes and rhythm patterns in music is more appealing to a large audience than a random series of notes and rhythm patterns. The larger the audience is, the more likely that musical order will prevail over musical chaos.”
Tier 2: Culture, art, current events, and politics. Kick off a Tier 2 with this: “Not only did the Beatles influence popular culture, they also reflected it. 9 years of a continuous feedback loop between the fab-four and popular culture turned John Lennon from a mop-top screamer into an anti-war activist.”
Tier 3: Gossip, shop talk. “Paul McCartney got married to Linda Eastman yesterday.”
Tier 4: Traffic, weather, sports events, small talk. "Morneau had 4 assists, a grand-slam and a touchdown yesterday."
Some people avoid Tier 1s because conversation is more of a utility for them, rather than accepting it as an art. They would rather not take the time to develop their skill at exchanging ideas with another person. They need to get in and get out. Sometimes, it’s useful to perform a Tier 4. But in continual avoidance of Tier 1 we avoid progressing our ideas.
Is the subject of sports more common than the subject of music? Definitely. It’s because it’s easier to talk about, and you don’t have to think at all. It is the subject of conversation so often that people start to believe it’s not small talk anymore.
Listen to those around you. Classify their conversation, and you'll arrive at one of these tiers. This exercise may seem snobbish and meaningless. But the act of observing will lead to self-discovery and humility. It may even improve your conversations.
There is an unofficial 5th tier. It is a mechanical conversation. An example is guitar feedback loop between from a Les Paul and a Marshall Stack. I’d listen in on that one.
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