It occurred to me....there's this strange 'path' for conversational topics in 1975, and in 2026.
There were usually ten general areas of conversation in 1975.
First, you could bring up the Baptist revival wrapping up....the lack of AC at the church....Minister Jim being let go....Reverend Bob compulsive talk over moral lessons.
Second, you could bring up NCAA football....Coach-Bear's recruitment last year....Neighbor Rick who is going to Tuscaloosa for Saturday's game, or the crappy nature of Bowl selection.
Third, weather. Either lack of rain....too much rain....storm alert....or a 30-minute talk over the best place during a tornado.
Fourth, so-and-so's husband/wife ran off.....neighbor Cal's mother-in-law coming to visit for six weeks....Widow so-and-so hanging out with the bank manager.
Fifth, so-and-so's daughter kicked out of college....such-and-such teacher let-go because of immoral relations with some 16-year old high school gal....or so-and-so's son (age 16) got so-and-so's daughter (age 17) pregnant.
Sixth, cars.....Ford has some new transmission....GM is recalling such-and-such....your cousin's Oldsmobile caught on fire.
Seventh, animals....so-and-so's cattle broke the fence----with 12 escaping out into some snake-infested woods....you've come over to talk of buying a herd of donkeys....beef prices escalating.
Eighth, so-and-so's son has returned from his three years of Marine service....your neighbor is hyped-up to join the National Guard....your cousin was declared mentally unfit for Army service and wants to talk about 'why'.
Ninth, weather chat.....the neighbor wants your opinion of H D Bagley (Channel 19's weather guy) versus Channel 31's 'Lester'. The science-minded neighbor might want you to explain doppler-radar, and you have your 7-year-old kid explain it.
Tenth, advice talk. Neighbor needs your advice on hornet infestation. Your cousin has a snake infestation. Your slutty neighbor gal (the one who wears tube-tops daily wants your feeling over lawn management.
2026?
It's a list of 3,000 topics....mostly in conflict with 50-percent of your friends, neighbors, and relatives. Some of the topics involve stuff that CNN can't talk about....which makes you wonder about out-loud, and getting your aunt all disturbed. Some people arrive at the carport and seem to confessing 700 pages of information about medical BS....which you admit....you might be more of a expert on dog issues/medications. So-and-so stops by....wanting your personal feeling over trans-stuff....with you thinking they mean a Ford transmission versus a GM transmission.
My favorite conversation moment? Somewhere around 1973...some local fellow (Alabama rural landscape) who knew my dad....stopped by...with his dead hunting hound in the back of the truck. The dog had gotten into some five-star 'fight' and died while tangling up with some wildcat. Guy had found the dog, and was emotionally distraught. He wanted to share this woeful moment. My dad...kinda stoic in nature....listened intently for about ten minutes....letting the guy share things. Then my dad suggested a proper burial somewhere and a marker. Our guest wiped his tears away....appreciated the advice, and quietly left. There was some quiet conversation between my dad and I...with him saying....sometimes, you just need folks to share something, and then find a way to get them fixed-up 'right'.
The world has evolved a bit, but we probably just need to give folks a chance to dump something, and tell them to resolve the problem.
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