3 Lessons Society Can Learn From Weather Small Talk

As an atmospheric scientist and professor, I talk about weather all the time. When someone learns about my profession, they usually want to talk to me about it too. They will share their knowledge of weather forecasting, climate change, almanacs, porcupines and more. The weather is often a topic of “conversation” between friends and strangers. With such wide divisions, here are 3 things wider society can learn from the weather talk.

Everyone experiences time

Everyone experiences time. It’s one of the reasons people are often comfortable dealing with meteorologists and climate scientists, but less likely to question or challenge a nuclear physicist. Although meteorology and climate science are also very quantitative scientific fields, most people don’t see fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, calculus, and chemistry. They see clouds, sore knees as rain approaches, or the passage of a cold front. The lesson is that no matter what political, religious, cultural or geographical marinade we come from, there is always “common ground”. In a time when people default to differences, discussions about the weather prove that civilized conversations between different people are possible.

Start Chat, Break Blocks

Because weather is a common denominator with all people, it provides a starting point for discussions. Many of us have found ourselves on awkward dates, in professional settings with strangers, or accidentally thrust into an unfamiliar social environment. what do you say It’s always safe to talk about the cold coming next week or the strength of Hurricane Melissa. When I meet someone for the first time, I often ask where they are from. The lesson is that “seed” conversations offer the potential for rich, deeper conversations. In turn, such engagement can create friendships, a better understanding of different points of view, or an agreement to disagree politically. Talking about the weather has lowered inhibitions and has been referred to as a “social lubricant”.

Real life implications for life

Here in Georgia and much of the southeastern US, temperatures will be very cold starting next week. There could even be a few snowflakes in early November flying around the mountains. Everyone will be affected by the cold. Have you had your HVAC system serviced? Do you have enough firewood? Will your college son wear appropriate clothes or try to wear shorts? Weather affects our lives individually or as communities. The lesson is that weather, like tragic events, can create a sense of community that temporarily dissolves individual or self-centered perspectives.