Karl Pillemer, Cornell professor of human development, meets with journalists in NYC to discuss his Marriage Advice Project and new book '30 Lessons for Loving.'
Very interesting. While I am sure these comments aren't being moderated, I would leave behind the question, "Was there anything they had to say about how they learned to be in a relationship? Can critical relationship skills be practiced outside of a relationship, in their experience?" Asking this, almost rhetorically, as a 23 year old who has had a couple of "long term" (Huge quotes!) but dysfunctional relationships, and has adopted an attitude of "no more until I can figure this communication stuff out" and is obviously curious. As an aside regarding the parallel theme of listening to our elders; one of my memories from when I was maybe about 10 years old, was when it struck me as a revelation that people who are older, exact quote from my thoughts,"Probably aren't lying to me" about ideas like "You'll be 21 before you know it" (ended up not being true, because I listened!), "Do what you can while you're young," etc. I have carried that close to my consciousness since, but, more importantly, acted upon it with regard to work and schooling, though unfortunately I never, and may never, make it to Cornell! I only mention it because I have been occassionally described as an "old soul" by colleagues and fellow students (who are sometimes much older than me at community colleges) and it had always perplexed me at a certain level. Now I realize it may be due to the fact that, as you say, listening to the voice of Wisdom is how learning was traditionally done. So perhaps I am an old soul in that I attempt to learn in the "traditional style," (clearly, youtube videos) rather than it necessarily saying anything about my personality. Good topic for discussion.
