Michael Holme
Isolating-banter
Updated: Jan 9
I'm never short of things to say. I've always got hours of ad-hoc conversation for anyone, and more if in some specific subjects. However, I have never said the word *banter* to someone, online or off (apart from just now.) You and I will have a chat. We will not banter. Chatting is not special. It is just something people do. It is facilitated by a lack of self-consciousness. The latter generates anxiety, much to do with personal measurements of one's "banter" quality. That feeds the anxiety further, in a vicious circle, because being nervous, hinders us tapping into thoughts and memories that aid the flow of exchange. Actually, the word banter, and its connotations of skilled and witty chat, with not infrequent flirting, has added unnecessary pressure, to the simple act of talking.