I’ve attended two large social gatherings (sometimes called “conferences”) these past couple of weeks. I’ve been struck by how many times some strange, non-sequitur thing would be said during the course of a conversation—or sometimes even by way of introduction. I am surely guilty of it myself. A few examples that come quickly to mind:
“I don’t know your politics, but it’s just nasty out there, and we all know the ____*!&?____ started it. They clearly started the arms race.” (Spoken by someone who announced he was running for congress in 2022 within 60-seconds of meeting me. Nevermind the Girardian humor embedded within it.)
“No offense, no judgment, but I stopped drinking after college because I had to, and I deserve more credit for it.” (Spoken by someone within the first 30-seconds of meeting, staring at the glass of Pinot Noir in my hand, eyes darting in all directions, looking for a getaway.)
“I hate these things. I hate them severely. I don’t know why I’m here, but it’s really good…
