What Is Rathole?

It's time to stop ratholing. We all know what it means: a conversation that goes on and on but doesn't get anywhere. Nothing gets done, whether it's about the weather, whether or not the other person is just being mean to you, or even how to install your new router. It can be so hard to break out of that cycle! There are ways to make it easier. Here are some tips for getting out of a rathole. If you find yourself stuck in a rathole, try saying something silly like "I'm sorry I'm so boring" or "Can we talk about something else? " It will take some of the pressure off and may help get things moving again. If that doesn't work, try removing what they're talking about. If they keep talking about their favorite TV show, take away their phone, so they can only watch episodes of that show once they're done talking with you! Or may they realize how much they miss you instead? It could work! Try bringing up a similar topic that might lead somewhere else, like if someone keeps asking you questions about your favorite have. Have you ever had a conversation that seemed like it would never end? It's a classic problem that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time. How do we have an engaging, fun, and productive conversation with people with different opinions than us? That's where Ratholes come in. Ratholes are those conversations that seem to go on forever, with no clear end. It happens only over digital media, such as internet forums, text messaging groups, or social media threads. Someone might be on a Facebook thread with 1000 comments because the participants need to build a consensus or agreement. The idea is that these conversations can go on forever and become a waste of energy or resources. We've all been there before you're discussing something important with someone who disagrees with you, and nothing will change their mind about it. It is what ratholes are for!