Discourse on Discourse

7/2017

As most of you know, I am not always the most loquacious fellow and tend to be laconic or taciturn, to say the least.  If one were to assign rules to having a conversation with me they would be something like this;

1. The subject has to pique my interest.
2. I have to be in the mood to talk.
3. I have to be comfortable with the person to whom I am talking. (meaning I feel they deserve my conversation)

And then there might be a yes or no answer.

But, come on, there are limits.  I think I might have been bested as I recently contacted a family member with 3 questions. The answers; Yes, Yes, No. And this was by one of the most garrulous of the bunch!

Your grumpy Uncle/Brother Dave.

Weary

Better Commumication

7/2017

I propose that there here should be 2 common and closely related (yet opposite) neuro encephalopathic disorders that use the term “loquacious/loquaciousness”.  Loquacious means talking too much, or as Shelby used to say “windy”.  They may present in an individual or in a family but there is no genetic relationship, i.e. direct relatives as well as spouses may be equally affected.  While not previously described in the scientific literature, I think they need to be brought into the light of day because it is my opinion that they are prevalent and epidemic in proportion.

If I may elaborate.

Type A is along the theme of “filling the void of silence”. It consists of individuals that feel that no period in time should be without words being spoken, however brief or however long the period of time.  It is not a conscious act because if you ask the individual (or in any other manner let them know what you think) they will deny that they talk too much. It appears to be more common in men but that is an aberration of observation. This is because the stereotypical assumption is that men talk less than women causing the appearance of or noticeability of the men talking more than expected. I propose that this disorder be called Unassociated Situational Loquaciousness Interpositional Syndrome. (1)  This lends itself to a handy acronym USLIS, pronounced useless.

Class II is almost the exact mirror image or the opposite of Type A in that there is an indirect relationship rather than a proportional or direct relationship to silence.  When another person speaks, there is a compulsion to speak at the same time.  It is almost like the on button is connected to a common switch. When the other stops, the affected individual stops, also.  Most adults today have seen this disorder, although they may not recognize that they have.  I am speaking of something that most will recognize in the movie and TV series MASH with the character Radar O’Riely.  I propose that this disorder be called Concomitant Loquacious Multiplex Encephalopathy. (2)

The prevalence is equal. Individuals usually suffer only Type A disorder or Class II disorder, but there are a few that have both.

Neither of these should be confused with a psychological disorder resulting in incoherent speech/writing called Logorrhea.  Incoherent because of the excessive use of big words used in confusing, complex phraseology in an effort to impress or distract others.

Respectfully submitted by your succinct and laconic grumpy Uncle/Brother Dave.

  1.   Talking too much when there is no need or desire on the listener’s part to hear what the individual is saying.
  2.   Talking too much about nothing at the same time someone else is trying to impart useful, important information.

Weary