People say conversation is a lost art; how often I have wished it were.
Interpretation
The quote expresses nostalgia for deep, meaningful conversations that seem to be disappearing in modern society.
Edward R. Murrow laments the decline of meaningful dialogue in contemporary life, suggesting that conversation is a skill that is fading away. His reflection highlights the importance of personal connection and authentic discussion, indicating a desire for a return to those genuine interactions that foster understanding and community.
In practice
In a speech about modern relationships, one could use this quote to emphasize the need for genuine interactions.
We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse, and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it, and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.
Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them.
One of the basic troubles with radio and television news is that both instruments have grown up as an incompatible combination of show business, advertising and news. Each of the three is a rather bizarre and demanding profession. And when you get all three under one roof, the dust never settles.
Speaking of Sir Winston Churchill: He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.
We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.
The speed of communications is wondrous to behold. It is also true that speed can multiply the distribution of information that we know to be untrue.
Whenever you speak to someone, you are presuming the two of you have a certain degree of familiarity - which your words might alter. So every sentence has to do two things at once: convey a message and continue to negotiate that relationship.
The ability to speak well is the shortcut to distinction.
The human voice: It's the instrument we all play. It's the most powerful sound in the world, probably. It's the only one that can start a war or say 'I love you.' And yet many people have the experience that when they speak, people don't listen to them.
I think the written word is probably the best medium of communication because you have time to reflect, you have time to choose your words, to get your sentences exactly right. Whereas when you're being interviewed, say, you have to talk on the fly, you have to improvise, you can change sentences around, and they're not exactly right.
The worst thing about e-mail is that you canβt interrupt the other person. You have to read the whole thing and then e-mail them back, pointing out all their mistakes and faulty assumptions. Itβs frustrating and itβs time-consuming. God bless phone calls.
Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn't mean anything else.
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