Tag: writing

Every Conversation Matters

Two women talking over coffee at a busy café table

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The following statement should be absolutely no shock to anyone: the majority of the world uses digital communication. As of late 2025, over 6 billion people, or ¾ of the entire world population, use digital communication, according to Digital Information World. Society now generally understands that digital communication has, in essence, killed off some important face-to-face conversational tendencies thanks to the increased presence, convenience, and, quite frankly, addiction to smart technologies.  

Our society also continues to recognize that digital communication has been a catalyst for further division and discourse. Two specific reasons come to mind.  First, everyone can articulate an opinion on social media, which has expanded the potential audience and led to some opinions reaching general society that were hard to articulate before. But, second, and the point of focus in today’s post, the lessened face-to-face interactions have led to a cocooning mentality that makes it difficult to address conflict in-person.   

The aforementioned context leads us to the consequential situation we currently face as a society, where authentic relationships and communication are lacking. Nicholas Carr notes in his book “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains” that society, due to the complexities of the technological boon, has experienced a significant decline in critical thinking and engagement. Carr additionally noted Marshall McLuhan’s idea of “The Medium is the Message,” which demonstrates that it is not just the specific content of such a message, but it is how it is presented. In this case, the digital context is often much more obtrusive than face-to-face conversation. 

These reminders should help shape our understanding that there is no better way to connect than by being present. Even if one cannot be face-to-face with an individual. Spending time on a phone or video call can help bridge the gap in relationship-building that texting and social media use cannot.  

I did some personal reflection on my own life and thought through multiple instances where I believed I was in a higher status in a friendship than the other party deemed me to be (both occurrences were 100% platonic, for context). Although I know these people hold me in a moderately high regard, I was puzzled that I was not viewed as highly. But then I thought and realized that although I have been there for them in some ways, I have also not made myself as emotionally available to them as I could have, which leads me to believe that if I made an extra effort to not be so in-tune with technological devices in public spaces, I could have invested in these individuals more faithfully. Then I expanded my thinking to consider how I could be more present in social situations than I already am.  

I believe that a significant challenge for all of us is to take on a social responsibility to be present whenever we are in a public space, because every conversation does matter. Now, I realize that no one can be perfect, and some days we are more emotionally available than others, which is just the nature of life. But I have found that, in the moments when I am on my game, my experiences being socially available in public spaces have not only impacted the people around me, but also made me much more content in those places and in those moments. 

From a Christian perspective, a great way to be immersed in being a witness to Christ in the world is to be present with others to learn their perspectives. Our conversations with people of opposing viewpoints do not have to be a debate, and we do not need to fear such situations, as Biola University’s Dr. Tim Muehlhoff calls Winsome Communication (or Persuasion), If we as Christians can care for one another to simply be there for others, that countercultural action can be a way to point others to Christ. Obviously, God orchestrates the salvation process, and we cannot take credit for it from other people.  

Believers can also encourage other believers by focusing on being present amid conversations. I think in many of my recent conversations with other believers, I often find myself not fully appreciating the magnitude of my friends’ vulnerabilities, saying the passing “I’ll pray for you,” and not taking the time to fully empathize and follow up with such individuals. The more we believers can be present for each other, the stronger we will be as we continue striving to build each other up so we can do what God calls us to do while we are on earth. 

James 1:19 says it plainly: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (ESV). Let us fully immerse ourselves in the conversations we have, as we never know what impact they may have on the other person, or even on ourselves!  

Understanding Modern Communication Through The Lens of Comedy

Lately, we have been fortunate enough to have what I believe are the generation’s best two comics, Nathan Fielder (Rehearsal, Season 2) and Tim Robinson (Friendship, full-length movie), released original content in May. To say we’re spoiled is an understatement. Additionally, both of these recent works have really helped us appreciate why they are great pieces of art.

Both comedians really toy with the idea of cringeworthy and/or awkward communication. In a society where in-person verbal and nonverbal communication continues to decline, both comedians effectively lean into this concept.

Fielder has focused more on addressing awkward communication moments and utilizing his “Fielder Method” to help learn about his subjects’ verbal and non-verbal tendencies. At the same time, Robinson expresses all the inner thoughts that we all have had from time to time, albeit in a humerously great exaggeration.

I am currently enrolled in a Global Leadership course where we are discussing different cultural communication frameworks. The communication framework that America and many Western nations currently exhibit is a “Linear-Active” culture — one in which we are focused on a specific timeframe and agenda in our communication with one another. Both comedians push that boundary, and inadvertently (or maybe intentionally in Fielder’s case) challenge the status quo in communication styles. Arguably, both push “Reactive” culture tendencies, where opinions are formed based on listening to others before forming strong opinions.

This is why it makes sense that I have been enjoying West Coast Swing. The whole dance is based on hearing the counts of the music, “listening” to your partner, and then reacting within the dance. It is a very potent form of non-verbal communication.

My good friend, Pastor Zac Yonko (MDiv, Ashland), noted the theological connections.

From a pastoral perspective, I think there’s a beautiful theological layer here. The gospel is ultimately a story of divine communication — God choosing to enter our awkward, broken, miscommunicating world through the Word made flesh. Jesus didn’t avoid cringe; He entered it. He touched lepers, asked hard questions, told disruptive parables, and wept in front of people. That’s the kind of non-linear, reactive, embodied presence of both comedians.

Satire, when done well, doesn’t just critique; it invites repentance and curiosity. And maybe, in a world of endless noise and scripted agendas, what we need most is the humility to listen — to the Spirit, to one another, even to absurdity — and to laugh our way back to being human again.

Although both Fielder and Robinson are using humor to exploit modern communication tendencies. Satire may very well be the most effective form of learning how to communicate in the 21st century.