Changing the Subject

Typists are usually reasonably good at multitasking, so in my typing class I generally let the conversation ebb and flow in whatever ways happen naturally.  I think that's about to change a little bit.  For the first time in my memory, I plan to declare two subjects off-limits during typing class.

It's not that these subjects have come up for the first time this year.  They've always been present to some degree.  It's just that I see enough evidence of excesses to be concerned, and, while I can't do much to change values elsewhere, in our little space together, the focus of the conversation is going to shift--or maybe we'll all see how we like silence as an alternative.

I feel no need to know the following:

Which sports teams played last night--or last week.

Who won those games.

Which players played well.

Which players played badly.

What should have happened differently.

The names of players on teams from our state.

Which teams will play soon.

Which announcers are bad.

Which announcers act outrageous.

Whether students came by their "sports craziness" (direct quote) courtesy of family influence or personal "initiative."

That eating pizza and watching an online game is preferable to eating pizza at the table in the company of family members, with good conversation going on.

Verbatim quotes from movies.

Verbatim quotes from movies, recited in unison.

Verbatim quotes from movies, recited in the voice of the movie character.

There's a wide world beyond sports and movies, much of which can be enjoyed directly rather than vicariously.  If we talk about other good things during typing class, maybe hearts will follow, and minds and spirits will expand to include a focus on what is truly admirable and worthy of emulating.  If that happens, I doubt that I'll ever again need to enforce a "change the subject" request.