A criterion for distinguishing between genuine conversation and other kinds of talking: when someone says "didn't we already talk about that?" the response is nevertheless to talk about it, gladly, again.

1. a poison giver
2. one who sets fire to the house
3. one who attacks with deadly weapons
4. one who plunders riches
5. one who occupies another's land
6. one who kidnaps a wife

'meet and happy conversation'

'I'm afraid there is a gathering of philosophers going on in here.'

'I too.'

A reviewer's trope for any music which is basically placid: 'quite the contrary—it can be quite unsettling'.

Words cannot describe the joy with which one hears Bob Dylan pronounce the phrase, 'go on to "You Tube"''.

Infinite Jest made me a contemporary of Wallace when I read it in the first paperback edition—97? 98?—in college and felt like I was taking part in something that was happening. Who is to say it's not still happening?

Somehow, summer emboldens; everyone sees the public as more public.

'flexibility, multiplicity, confusion wanting to reflect the turmoil of reality'