If they pick a boring topic, go a little meta and do a perspective-taking exercise: what might it be like to be interested in this? What about it would fascinate you?
Wow, this seems kinda hard. I think I know what you mean, but topics like soccer( or sports in general), celebrities or TV-shows ( with some exceptions ) seem to be “immune” to this exercise;)
Is the person interested in sports as a substitute for war? As a presentation of the capacities of the human body? As a tribal bonding activity with eir friends? Does the person like celebrities because ey can gossip about them with impunity? Because there is more information about them than there would ever reasonably be about other people ey didn’t know? Because ey respects or admires their talents at whatever they are celebrities for? Does the person like TV because of the storylines? Because of the visual effects? Because of the illusion that they are present with those celebrities that they find so interesting?
(I don’t recommend asking these questions directly, but keep these curiosities in mind and ask questions that get at them obliquely: “How long have you supported Team X?” “Do you think it’s more fun to hear about actors, or people who are just plain famous?” “What’s your favorite thing about the show?”)
I don’t think any topics that humans are genuinely interested in are immune to the exercise. If you’re immune to the exercise, by all means get your daily dose of socialization from places like here.
Is the person interested in sports as a substitute for war? As a presentation of the capacities of the human body? As a tribal bonding activity with eir friends? Does the person like celebrities because ey can gossip about them with impunity? Because there is more information about them than there would ever reasonably be about other people ey didn’t know? Because ey respects or admires their talents at whatever they are celebrities for? Does the person like TV because of the storylines? Because of the visual effects? Because of the illusion that they are present with those celebrities that they find so interesting?
But, I don’t care!
I will try my luck on Lesswrong, I guess;)
Is the person interested in sports as a substitute for war? As a presentation of the capacities of the human body? As a tribal bonding activity with eir friends? Does the person like celebrities because ey can gossip about them with impunity? Because there is more information about them than there would ever reasonably be about other people ey didn’t know? Because ey respects or admires their talents at whatever they are celebrities for? Does the person like TV because of the storylines? Because of the visual effects? Because of the illusion that they are present with those celebrities that they find so interesting?
(I don’t recommend asking these questions directly, but keep these curiosities in mind and ask questions that get at them obliquely: “How long have you supported Team X?” “Do you think it’s more fun to hear about actors, or people who are just plain famous?” “What’s your favorite thing about the show?”)
I don’t think any topics that humans are genuinely interested in are immune to the exercise. If you’re immune to the exercise, by all means get your daily dose of socialization from places like here.
But, I don’t care! I will try my luck on Lesswrong, I guess;)