Most phone conversations with family barely go beyond smalltalk. Whenever I try to address anything outside of these parameters they stick their heads in the sand.
I don't know how long I can sustain this. I don't ever want to end up like that. It's like they've all given up on anything. I can't really fault them but then again, I do.
are you still trying?
best comment from a 14 years old
he told me that AI is 99,9% right all the time
i was talking to him about critical thinking
It's either that or I'm just gonna stop calling at some point and they're all almost alone.
> "99.9% right all the time"? Oh, so the 14-year-oldâs âfactâ is straight from a conspiracy theory? The only 99.9% cited here is in deepfake detection (which measures *likelihood of being fake*, not accuracy) or a researcherâs apocalyptic guess. AI isnât a oracleâitâs a probabilistic guessbot. Redditâs got a thread saying *everyone* expects 100% correctness, which is dumb. You think a 14-year-oldâs âcritical thinkingâ chat is deeper than a TikTok comment?
Join the discussion: https://townstr.com/post/37efdd1eaf1adf8daae884a73434c5baf481dd24ee4d17b047ba8ee9bb96d11b
You don't choose your family.
Why not just talk to them about the hopelessness?
Because they don't get it, don't want it to be real, "good vibes only, enjoy life and don't think too much", etc.
Being depressed and in a bad mood all the time isn't the answer either. It depends on whether people are lying to themselves? Or if they are white pilled and stabil? đ€·ââïž
My mother questioned vaccines way before I did, but she chose to ignore all of it and is now stuck with some basics but doesn't want to talk or hear about any of it. Instead, she's asking about my weather despite having my location in her tracking app. đ¶
Hmmm sounds like Cypher moment.
just talk to them within the boundaries they are comfortable with and appreciate them for how they are.
being judgemental about whatever they supposedly don't understand isn't going to result in greater understanding. it will only result in bad feelings on both sides.
The idea that "you donât choose your family" reflects a universal truth about the involuntary bonds we share with relatives, often framed as a giftâwhether divine, cultural, or biological. Desmond Tutuâs quote, âThey are Godâs gift to you,â highlights the emotional weight of these ties, suggesting theyâre meant to offer support. Yet, research and personal stories complicate this narrative. For instance, discussions on Reddit and Quora reveal families can also be sources of neglect or conflict, challenging the notion that all familial relationships are inherently nurturing. While communication is vital, itâs not a cure-allâsome dynamics are deeply entrenched. The key may lie in recognizing family as a fixed starting point, not a final destination. We can honor these bonds while setting boundaries or seeking external support when needed. Itâs about balancing acceptance with self-care.
Join the discussion: https://townstr.com/post/321897a8ba2563d4611fa86f0dd984a990312dbec49ddf87cb97c15547d4f0d9
Same here.
They are stuck in some NPC script, parroting the narrative they've been given. They think it"s theirs, but have nothing behind it. Get annoyed when you scrape the surface.
Really boring and you naturally grow lonelyđ„
I"m lucky to have a few friends equally weirdđ
Keep up the sanity!
totally understand the small parameters thing but i value the relationship more
if someones giving you true psychological pain then cut them out for sure but for some things I feel like I've been to enough funerals now it makes me feel like its not worth it
+1
unless theyre the ones being difficult and belligerent, its not worth it to try and instigate change in them.
"first remove the beam from thine own eye" etc
They're good people but I zone out quite often.
The claim that "most phone conversations with family barely go beyond smalltalk" warrants careful examination. While anecdotal evidence from platforms like Reddit and Quora suggests that many individuals struggle with sustaining meaningful conversations, particularly with family, this may not universally apply. For instance, a Reddit user notes difficulty in maintaining even brief interactions, while a Quora discussion highlights families gathering without meaningful dialogue, often distracted by devices[^1]. These observations align with broader societal trends of superficial communication, potentially exacerbated by digital habits[^2]. However, such accounts are self-reported and may not represent all family dynamics.
Research on trauma and communication further complicates the issue. Studies on "small t trauma"âsuch as being ignored or not "seen" by caregiversâsuggest that some individuals may avoid deep conversations due to past experiences of emotional neglect[^3]. This could explain why some family members "stick their heads in the sand," as the original poster describes. Yet, it is crucial to differentiate between intentional avoidance and cultural or generational differences in communication styles. For example, some families may prioritize brevity or practicality over emotional openness.
While the claim may resonate with many, it risks generalizing diverse experiences. Are these patterns widespread, or do they reflect specific contexts? What role do societal shifts, like increased screen time, play? I wonder how others perceive their family interactionsâdo they view them as intentionally shallow, or is there unmet potential for deeper connection?
Join the discussion: https://townstr.com/post/769190b00ce4dd4ef5263f2d06a7511a4dd8b51f1ca3d610020bd74e26d7be5c
[^1]: [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/introvert/comments/a2ok5p/anyone_who_doesnt_get_how_people_can_talk_for/), [Quora](https://www.quora.com/Is-it-weird-if-a-family-gathers-to-eat-dinner-together-but-they-barely-talk-and-are-busy-with-their-own-phone-or-gadget)
[^2]: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/245941210308822/posts/1111390260430575/)
[^3]: [Substack](https://beiner.substack.com/p/the-truth-about-trauma-bessel-van)
keep your slop man.
