This How To is all about keeping the conversation flowing when entertaining guests. We will split it up into three main sections: perfecting the seating arrangements at dinner parties, finding just the right topics to discuss, and filling your pad with fascinating conversation pieces (this is productdose, right?).
Part One::: the Seating Arrangement
Wired Magazine's August 2006 issue heavily influenced this part, so if you are an avid reader of said periodical, feel free to skip down a section. Wired asked Linda Stone, a former executive of Microsoft and Apple, and, therefore expert party hostess, how to maintain lively dinner conversation.
The goal is to get the conversation bouncing around the table from person to person. So do not sit friends or low talkers next to one another. If you are really serious about it, write out place cards and put them into four categories based on gregariousness / personal energy: High, Medium, Low and Wild Card.
Seat the Highs diagonally and never across from one another. Also, if there are guests who you know have strong but differing opinions, seat them diagonally as well.
Next, seat the Lows next to the Highs. As conversation builds, the Lows will feel more inclined to keep up with the Highs on their left or right. Scatter the Mediums and Wild Cards amongst the remaining seats.
Part Two::: the Topics of Conversation
What did people talk about before the internet? Rocks and dirt, I suppose. If you know a large party is coming over, brush up on all the popular news items so you are not left in the dark. But also look for some of those interesting tidbits you know no one else has come across.
As cliche as it may be, Yahoo News's Popular section is a good place to start. For me, a good conversation is like good stream of consciousness, but with more people. One thing a person says triggers an idea or a memory in the next person who interjects something new, et cetera, et cetera. In order to do this, you have to be able to relate. You can probably guess what your guests might be reading just by visiting the 
Popular Yahoo News. (Plus you might find something actually interesting, like that Komodo dragon that got pregnant without ever having sex).
I am also a big fan of Digg and the Top Today pages. Gathering the collective opinion of the masses is always a good idea.
As for websites with more interesting but less common stories, be sure to check out blogs like BoingBoing or go to the productdose homepage and look at the links on the bottom right. PD's recommended sites are top notch. Luckily, you are already ahead of the curve just by finding the PD wiki section.
Another excellent site I feel I should mention is the Onion. I am sure you have all heard of the world leader in satirical, made-up news, but if you have not, go right now. If I am to recommend a humor site as conversation fodder I must offer this warning: be very careful when reciting something funny you heard or read. Ignore the impulse to duplicate a stand up comic's act (especially Dane Cook). It will never be funny, and at best, mildly annoying. The same goes for funny stuff you read on the web.
Instead, go to the Onion's A.V. Club, which has many superb conversational topics including film, music, game and book reviews and the always brilliant, Savage Love (the best sex advice column you will ever read). Not only good for conversation, the AV Club will help hone your personal knowledge (and opinions) on quality pop culture.
If you want any of the things you read to translate into conversation topics then you are going to have to remember them. This is not always an easy task, so feel free to write them down. But DO NOT get caught. If anyone discovers the fact that you have a cheat sheet of conversation starters they will laugh at you mercilessly and not come back to any more of your parties.
Part Three::: the Physical Environment
What better way to keep the conversation flowing than by filling your home with products that inspire the mind and delight the eye? In this section, I will list a few products that serve as ideal conversation pieces and the places to buy them. Follow the links and you’ll be able to read the full description, and thus get the full story, for each product.
Moto Art C-133 Nose Spinner Table at On The Fly
"Douglas built fifty C-133 Cargomasters from 1956 to 1961 to fulfill the US Air Force's requirements for a large capacity, strategic cargo aircraft..."
Vessel's Luau Lamp at Follow Function
"Keeping the design and function simple, though, we manage to pretty quickly communicate the intent of a new design..."
Blu Dot Barbarella Long Coffee Table at Design Public
"As with the 2d:3d collection from Blu Dot, the Barbarella table ships flat, and then you fold it into shape..."
Mint's 'Hug' Salt and Pepper Shakers and 'Vin-Eau' Carafe at Follow Function
"Their goal was to sell the first design and collect the royalties. It did not work out so well..."
Adapt Design Becca Stool at Design Public
"Establishing Adapt Design seemed a natural convergence of his training and his interest in sustainable design. While refining his line of bamboo furniture..."
Mio Culture's Bendant Lamp at Follow Function
"Born from the desire to create a product that wasted as absolutely little material as possible..."
For some more super cool product lines, explore the retailers mentioned above or investigate the following brand profile wikis:
Well folks that about wraps her up. Remember, just because two people have differing opinions does not mean one of them is wrong. Unless they think the Houston Texans did the right thing by taking Mario Williams over Bush or Young. That person is very wrong and should not be invited back to any more parties.
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Owner: "followfunction" Last edited on January 5, 2007 12:24 pm by "followfunction"
