Can I watch an conversation in action to study good and bad conversational skills?

Answer: Watch this fascinating 2-hour conservation among four very clever minds–as long as you don’t mind having your religious beliefs challenged!

Sam Harris is my favorite conversationalist of the four. He’s so respectful and articulate and gentle that he naturally commands respect–in my opinion. He also asks excellent questions of the group, which adds value to the discussion. Christopher Hitchens has many excellent ideas, but his conversational skills aren’t perfect. Often he talks too long and talks over people and interrupts. Richard Dawkins talks very passionately–I find myself listening to him very easily. Dan Dennett is very interesting, but he’s not a naturally passionate speaker in this discussion.

Generally, the four guys were excellent taking turns and listening respectfully to each other. See what you think. The first hour is quite polite; the discussion gets quite spirited in the second hour, with lots of interesting dynamics happening.

Another good foursome displaying excellent conversational skills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoCFTddNedk