A good conversation is an act of joint exploration. Somebody floats a half-formed idea. Somebody else seizes on the nub of the idea, plays with it, offers her own perspective based on her own memories, and floats it back so the other person can respond. A good conversation sparks you to have thoughts you never had before. A good conversation starts

“Through conversation,” Krouse Rosenthal writes, “endeavor to find a collection of autobiographical statements that are equally true for each and every member of the group.” Throw out questions: Are we all from America? Do we all like flannel? This might last thirty minutes or go on for hours. “You’ll know when to wrap it up.”