“Let us make a special effort to stop communicating with each other, so we can have some conversation.”
- November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910
- American
- Author, humorist, and lecturer
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and had a major influence on American literature
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Quote
“Let us make a special effort to stop communicating with each other, so we can have some conversation.”
Explanation
Mark Twain’s quote humorously critiques the superficiality and miscommunication that often plague our interactions in an increasingly connected world. The idea of stopping communication in order to have a real conversation suggests that true dialogue and meaningful exchange are often lost in the noise of modern communication—whether it’s superficial chit-chat, overuse of technology, or misunderstood intentions. Twain’s wit exposes how much of what we call communication is actually a barrier to true connection, and how much more we could understand each other if we focused on genuine conversation rather than just the act of communicating for the sake of it.
Twain, a keen observer of human nature, often criticized the ways in which society and technology could make our interactions less authentic. In his time, as today, communication was often more about surface-level exchanges than deep, thoughtful engagement. The humor in this quote lies in its irony—suggesting that to have a meaningful conversation, we must first disconnect from the superficial communication that fills our day. This mirrors Twain’s broader critiques of the hollow nature of many societal conventions, where appearances often mask the lack of true understanding or connection.
In modern times, this quote speaks directly to the impact of technology and social media on how we communicate. While we are more connected than ever, many of our interactions are brief, shallow, and often lacking in genuine meaning. Whether through text messages, social media posts, or emails, communication can often become automatic, missing the depth of face-to-face interaction. Twain’s words encourage us to take a step back, slow down, and prioritize authentic conversation—where listening, reflection, and true engagement take precedence over mere transactional communication. In this way, the quote serves as a reminder to move beyond the noise of constant connectivity and seek deeper understanding in our conversations.
