Conversation may be compared to a lyre with seven chords — philosophy, art, poetry, politics, love, scandal, and the weather.
— Anna Brownwell Jameson (May 17, 1794-1860), Irish/English art critic, author; from Conversations, Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad; With Tales and Miscellanies, 1834

What strings would you add to the lyre? What do people really converse about? Men talk about sports. Perhaps that should be added, although not for my conversational tastes. Do people discuss poetry very much anymore? Maybe that “chord” should be changed to literature. I do think people talk about books. At least I do. What else? News? Celebrities? What would your seven chords of conversation be? How do you start a conversation with someone you’ve just met? What do you talk about after the introduction is completed?

Gary Paulsen, b. May 17, 1939, is the author of several wilderness survival and other novels for young adults, including Hatchet, Dogsong, and Brian’s Winter. According to his website, these are th things you really need to survive on your own in the wilderness:

The Essentials of Wilderness Survival
Don’t leave home without them!

• Matches (preferably waterproof)
• Food and water (make sure you have plenty for any emergency)
• Extreme weather clothing, such as a hat and mittens
• Waterproof outer layer
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Compass

Hey, adventurous types, what, if anything would you add to this list? I wouldn’t have a clue since a walk around the block is about as adventurous as I get. I have a friend who calls me a “greenhouse plant.”