Storylistening: A guide to creating clever conversation in our age of screens
As the Egyptians say, Welcome you are welcome.
My name is Hank and I’m a recovering folk journalist.
Huh?
Like, you’re wondering, what the heck is that?
Well, for starters, a folk journalist is a person who walks around and talks to people, asking them questions.
He gets into conversations and people tell their stories.
A folk journalist is in a sense, a story listener.
He suggests a topic, conversations get created. And I’m here to help you do that — have terrific conversation.
Why?
Because in a career spent writing, reporting and producing stories for NPR/APM/PRI/BBC/CBS radio shows across this vast land of ours…guess what? I’m finding it harder to have a decent conversation!
What’s going on here? Just yesterday I read on the front page of the New York Times how, “…the rapid spread of mobile technology has redefined the way people talk, the way they shop, the way they walk down the street.”
Do you find this to be true?
The purpose of this web log will be to help you learn new, fun ways to talk with friends, family and other fine folk, face-to-face.
Face 2 Face.
Yes. Instead of letting our devices devise ways of deceiving us into denying ourselves the pleasure of human back-and-forth badinage, let WalkyTalky be your guide to Surviving This Age of Screens.
How?
I can help; I’ve got skills! On this site: all kinds of tips, pix, quotes and audio-visual bippity-bop I’ve gathered from years of Q & A’s with popular figures like Allen Ginsberg and Woody Allen, Wavy Gravy, Avner the Eccentric, Bob Newhart, you name ’em. From NYC to San Francisco, LA and Detroit, we’ll hold forth with Shakespearean clowns and writers for the Marx Bros and Bye Bye Birdie. Children and my grandfather when he turned 100. In the background, a sprinkling of guitar from an original member of Jefferson Starship, and cartoon drawings from the wondrous Flash Rosenberg. Also weaving in and out: wisdom from world class conversationalists on topics like, “What is your conception of God?” “How do you define love?” “What’s the richest you’ve ever been?” “Where were on November 22, 1963?” and “Whatever happened to Elroy Jetson?”
So welcome to the WalkyTalky and join the conversation. Next time: Time’s-a-wastin’ so let’s get gabbing.
Yes friends, “We’ve got a great big Convo, truckin’ through the night,” as that song from the 70s sort of sang.
Seen recently on billboards all over Las Vegas:
