February 4, 2011
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So, How’s the Weather?
For the past week it has been snowing in forty states. While it has been clearing up, the majority of the United States is still gripped in a winter freeze. As I am typing this, it is thirty-six degrees in Atlanta, seventeen degrees in Chicago, twenty-three degrees in Dallas, and a balmy twenty-six degrees in Ogden, Utah. This is certainly noteworthy weather, especially for TV weathermen and global warming skeptics. Meanwhile, I live in southern California, and as I am typing this it is a comfortable seventy degrees outside. This is probably not as newsworthy as the rest of the country, so why the hell am I talking about the fucking weather?
You may or may not have noticed this, but people who talk about the weather have been under fire lately. I’m not talking about meteorologists who talk about weather for a living. I’m talking about people whom you barely know who talk about “the weather.” This person could be your co-worker, your neighbor, the person standing behind you in line at the grocery store, or even the last person you went on a date with. These are the people who fill a silent void with the simple question, “So, what about this weather?” There is a popular belief today that people who make small talk about “the weather” are uninteresting, boring, and shallow. The theory is that these hermits are so lacking in social skills that the only thing that they are capable of talking about is “the weather.” These people drive “interesting” people crazy. If you are someone who is annoyed by people who talk about “the weather”, then there are a few things that you need to know.
People who talk about “the weather” aren’t boring. Consciously choosing to talk about a topic that anyone alive can immediately relate to isn’t considered shallow; it’s smart. You might not find this interesting, but you need to remember that whatever you think doesn’t always coincide with how the world works. If you care about postmodern photography or underground indie music, and consider this stuff “interesting”, that’s fine. But, you need to realize that there are more people who don’t care about Jean Baudrillard or Cults. Just because someone is chitchatting with you about “the weather” doesn’t mean that they are incapable of maintaining a more intelligent conversation. It’s more likely that they just don’t want to have an intelligent conversation with you. The next time someone makes small talk about “the weather”, don’t mentally roll your eyes at them. In all likelihood, they already despised you first.
In this climate of New Media, do we really need to keep talking?
Comments (7)
I like you.
Talking is way overrated.
I overheard a conversation in a bar last night. One person asked another what he thought about what was going on in Egypt. His response was he really didn’t care, but ask him about the next storm coming ans he cares because it more directly affects his life. I’m not espousing this as a philosophy but I thought it was an interesting comment. We have huge amounts of snow in New England and temperatures too cold to melt it in between storms. Roofs are collapsing. Another storm coming tomorrow. And people in the area have really been in a pissed off mood from all the shoveling, slipping, etc. Everyone is belly aching because their backs are breaking. Can’t wait for spring.
i love talking about the weather.
i must be really boring and shallow. lol- good post!
Good post!
I cannot stand that elitist mindset…
Ok I get it…but does the local news have to bombard us with weather updates 24/7? That’s what bothers me. I mean I appreciate wanting to know what the weather is going to be like, but do you need a TV to tell you what it is like outside. I mean can’t you just assume, hey it’s february chances are it’s going to be cold.
By the way I’d love to know how you got the FB button on your blog… i’m sure it’s easy but I just sort of revived my xanga site from a three year hiatus and would love some tips as to how to make it more contemporary.