Thoreau writes, "When our lives cease to be inward and private, conversation degenerates" to become


A. mindless and sterile.
B. seeking an advantage over others.
C. a fantasy about a fiction.
D. mere gossip.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4035584

i think it must be D mere gossip

so what is it ?

Try D

ITS d I just took test mere gossip

To determine the correct answer, let's first understand the quote from Thoreau: "When our lives cease to be inward and private, conversation degenerates." Thoreau is suggesting that when we no longer have an inward and private life, our conversations tend to decline in quality.

To find the answer from the given options, let's examine each choice:

A. Mindless and sterile: This option implies that conversation becomes empty and uninteresting when our lives cease to be inward and private. While this could be a possible interpretation, it is not directly mentioned in the quote.

B. Seeking an advantage over others: This option suggests that conversation devolves into a competition or manipulation when our lives are no longer inward and private. Again, this idea is not explicitly expressed in the quote.

C. A fantasy about fiction: This option implies that conversation becomes focused on imaginary or made-up situations when our lives are no longer inward and private. While this is a creative interpretation, it is not directly stated in the quote.

D. Mere gossip: This option suggests that conversation becomes solely focused on sharing rumors and personal information when our lives are no longer inward and private. This aligns with Thoreau's idea that conversation degenerates, as gossip lacks depth and meaningful exchange.

By analyzing the options and considering Thoreau's quote, the most suitable answer is D. Mere gossip.