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.
To the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures.
Speech is a very important aspect of being human. A whisper doesn't cut it.
I speak and speak, [...] but the listener retains only the words he is expecting. [...] It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear.
The goal of effective communication should be for listeners to say, 'Me, too!' versus 'So what?'
When you forget yourself and your fear, when you get beyond self-consciousness because your mind is thinking about what you are trying to communicate, you become a better communicator
Words let us say the things we want to say and also things we would be better off not having said. They let us know the things we need to know, and also things we wish we didn't.
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