Do you think the art of conversation has been lost in the digital age?

I'd argue and lower the bar at people have become poor at even conversing in text, especially at long conversations and their ability to comprehend. I can't count how many times somebody got mad at me or got confused from reading my comment because they couldn't understand the nuances or the message between the lines. In terms of speaking conversations, the presence of the phone makes it unpleasant. I find it that people can't seem to last more than 10 minutes without checking their phone. Call me old but during the smart phone boom of the 2010's the people who check their phones that much were mostly high-level executives or just people who were chronically busy.

It’s the age of the keitai zombie

Not in my experience. Conversation has changed, but I don't think it is a lost art. One thing that has been permanantly changed is the relatively new ability to have any information at your fingertips. I think problem solving and learning have changed how we think. The digital age has also allowed us to connect with other people of comparatively niche interests rather than being tolerant and humoring the people who are in our direct surroundings.

Do you think the art of conversation has been lost in the digital age?

Reacts like a teenager, shaking head, with a face of exasperation: “Well, duh!”

The number of times I see couples sitting in a cafe or restaurant looking at their smartphones (now there’s an oxymoron, if ever there was) instead of each other; groups of friends glued to their screens…….

The art of Tatemae not at all, it just evolved into the digital realm, under all those fake emoji. It's actually more alive than ever, since now people don't need to fake their emotions too when talking in public.

Uh huh.

People see more talk less, hear more and talk less! Sponges, taking everything in but putting nothing out!

aaronagstringFeb. 11  08:36 am JST

The number of times I see couples sitting in a cafe or restaurant looking at their smartphones (now there’s an oxymoron, if ever there was) instead of each other; groups of friends glued to their screens…….

So, a device the size of your palm, which can link you to pretty much anyone or any information in the world, take photos, do calculations, download books, podcasts and music, among its many abilities, isn't smart?

Definitely yes!

Totally agree with @aaronagstring

I see many young couples in restaurants who are busy texting rather than chatting together.

Yep

How do you know they aren't texting each other?

Whatever!

if half the people spoke in face-to-face conversation the same way, with the same i’ll-informed nonsense as on social media, you’d never want to talk to anyone again.

Not sure. Let me ask my AI.