The inner dialog

I was speaking with a friend recently who told me that she does not have a constant dialog going on in the back of her mind.

Apparently not everyone has an inner monologue. I had no idea.

It must be peaceful!

Does that apply to songs as well?

I’ll hear a single word or a short phrase and my stupid brain immediately consult the lyrics library. Then I’ll find “It never rains in California,” or (heaven forbid) “Knock three times” or … something … playing in the back of my head for days. A good day is when it’s just a melody with no lyrics.

9 thoughts on “The inner dialog”

  1. I used to be in the habit of pursuing inner dialogues as a kind of preparation for real ones. But it proved to be fruitless and unnerving. Discussions usually go off the rails, no matter how inwardly I prepare for them. So when an inner dialoge starts I usually shut it down as quickly as I can.

    As for music, I recently listened to a play list from the 60s. There were lots of good things on it, but unfortunately I got a song by Herman’s Hermits stuck in my head. I usually listen to Baroque music to snuff out bad such dreadful ear worms.

    1. It’s an interesting question. Do inner dialogues help with real-life conversations or not?

      I do believe that there are forms of preparation that do help with real-life conversations. For example, if you are often involved in controversies, certain types of questions come up repeatedly. I’m sure it helps — at least for the purpose of public events, maybe not in private conversations — to have pre-prepared answers that you have carefully considered.

      For example, if I lost my mind and accepted an invitation to be interviewed on a very liberal podcast about my “eggs are expensive” book, it would be wise to anticipate some of the accusations / questions and have prepared answers.

      But that’s a very different thing than just the regular old inner dialog business.

      1. For academic events I certainly prepare. I at least have written notes. But I was thinking more about private conversations. No how much I prepare, they usually (not absolutely always of course) seem to go awry. So now I just kill the inner dialogue at the outset and enjoy some inner peace of mind.

        1. Mainly there seems to be a clash of styles. While I usually keep trying to focus on one point, my opponent keeps adding on his own preferred talking points until the thread of the discussion gets lost. But maybe that’s just the way I see it. So hard to judge these things.

      2. QUOTE: For example, if I lost my mind and accepted an invitation to be interviewed on a very liberal podcast about my “eggs are expensive” book, it would be wise to anticipate some of the accusations / questions and have prepared answers.

        Aaah, but that’s where you are most likely to provoke new thought. Of course, they would challenge you mercilessly but you never know how impactful good, fact-based arguments can be on “some” within that group. Ben Shapiro seems to do this quite effectively in his college tours. As well, once you get past the familiar liberal talking points you might discover more about why they believe what they believe. This could give you a greater appreciation for their perspectives and how to potentially sharpen your arguments to be more persuasive. Preaching to the converted is fun and easy. Takin’ it to the streets is where the real opportunity awaits for influencing the politically correct with 50 politically incorrect thoughts .

        1. It’s true that I am more likely to provoke new thought in an actual conversation with a person who disagrees with me, and I am more than willing to do that. In fact, I do it all the time.

          But not in a virtue-signaling podcast, where the point is simply to argue.

          So if there was a liberal podcast where I believed they were fair and actually wanted to have a conversation, that would be fine. I don’t think there are a lot of those.

          1. QUOTE: So if there was a liberal podcast where I believed they were fair and actually wanted to have a conversation, that would be fine. I don’t think there are a lot of those.

            Cool! An open exchange of ideas is always ideal when it can happen.

            As well, I agree they are rare…in liberal and conservative spaces. Most are primarily interested in clicks, likes and views…which serves to reinforce silos and echo chambers.

  2. I thought I was the only one that had music consistently playing in the background of their thoughts. Good to know that others experience this too. Misery loves company. 😉

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