"Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness"

This quote by Margaret Millar suggests that lots of discussions are not really discussions at all, however rather one person talking while the other individual listens. This implies that the listener is not actively engaging in the discussion, however rather is merely a witness to the monologue. This could be due to an absence of interest in the discussion, or a lack of understanding of the subject. It might likewise be due to a lack of confidence in the listener's ability to add to the discussion. This quote highlights the importance of actively engaging in conversations, instead of simply being a passive witness. It also suggests that conversations need to be significant and appealing, rather than one-sided. By actively engaging in conversations, we can produce meaningful connections with others and discover more about the world around us.