Let’s Talk: Conversation as a Defining Moment for the Communication Discipline

ABSTRACT

In this essay, the author makes the case that a defining moment for the communication discipline is to encourage increased uptake of embodied conversation. The essay shares illustrative examples and reviews research on issues such as loneliness, anxiety, social comparison, empathy, compassion, social media, electronic medical records, facial mimicry and more. It then describes various strategies that the communication discipline might employ in their research and pedagogy that motivate the practice of embodied conversation. The essay concludes with an invitation to communication scholars from a wide range of focus areas and generations to join in (re)creating “conversation as cool.”

Acknowledgments

This essay is the result of conversations with and contributions from many people. Thanks especially to Elissa Adame, Jess Alberts, Belle Edson, Brad Hendron, Heewon Kim, Linda Lederman, Laura Martinez, Robert Razzante, Nandita Sabnis, Kevon Taylor, Cristopher Tietsort, Alaina Zanin, and all members of The Transformation Project in The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.