More than the sum of words

From Scott Adams's God's Debris.

"You think casual conversation is a waste of time."

"Sure, unless I have something to say. I don't know how people can blab about nothing."

"Your problem is that you view conversation as a way to exchange information," he said.

"That's what it is," I said, thinking I was pointing out the obvious.

"Conversation is more than the sum of the words. It is also a way of signaling the importance of another person by showing your willingness to give that person your rarest resource: time. It is a way of conveying respect. Conversation reminds us that we are part of a greater whole, connected in some way that transcends duty or bloodline or commerce. Conversation can be many things, but it can never be useless."

Huh. Interesting.