pull down to refresh

I got about $4 in useless crypto from coinbase learning rewards, which I instantly converted to bitcoin and sent to my wallet.
It's not much, but happy to send it to the best ice breaker or conversation starter for group settings.
Context: I'm a part of a couple of discussion groups that have new people from time to time, so I'm always looking for a good ice breaker that meets the following conditions:
  • Is interesting and not cliché (not "where are you from" or "what's something interesting about you" or "how long have you been in town" - more like, what's the best outside temperature)
  • Isn't difficult to think of an answer (for example, "what's your favorite childhood memory" forces people to think through their entire childhood, and "what's your favorite album" forces you to think through your entire music library)
  • Isn't broad or vague, and encourages answers that are personal or creative
  • Compels a thoughtful but brief response
Bonus points if you can come up with something that's divisive, but in a fun way. Always great to get people debating and joking around about whether or not 78 degrees is too hot in the fall.
4,000 sats paid
this territory is moderated
frostdragon's bounties
I went for a focus group discussion before, and the question the facilitator used was how do you like your coffee?
Led to a passionate discussion on the merits of various styles of coffee. Plus, coffee snobs will argue for their case against people who abstain from it
reply
coffee snobs
you mean devout coffee addicts, or something in between an addict and a savant?
reply
Both haha
reply
Definite an honorable mention. I like this one because it has potential to be divisive.
reply
31 sats \ 0 replies \ @xz 19 Nov
Hey, do you have a lightning-enabled Bitcoin wallet on your phone?
reply
The modern classic seems to be, "Is pineapple on pizza okay?" To be followed up by, "New York style or Chicago pizza?"
And for foodies, "Best style of BBQ: Western Carolina, Eastern Carolina, Alabama, Kansas City, or Texas style?"
reply
38 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek 19 Nov
Have you heard about Stacker News?
reply
I leave here these two options:
"If you could live a day as a fictional character, who would it be and what would you do?" → Leaves room for creativity without being too deep.
"What’s the song you hate to love but always sing along to?" → Personal, light, and great for jokes and connections.
reply
These are great! Definitely an honorable mention
reply
"what's the last thing you learned about, or taught somebody about?"
reply
Love this one! Simple enough, makes you think.
reply
Do you have an useless talent or skill?
My useless skill is to make a fart sound with my hands.
reply
You get useless crypto from coinbase, too? I wonder if we have to pay taxes on that stuff when we convert it, I never looked into it carefully.
reply
Yeah, I check it from time to time. Learning rewards straight to free sats, why not?
Pretty sure you're only taxed if you convert to USD.
reply
30 sats \ 1 reply \ @k00b 19 Nov
I used to do it too. The quizzes are multiple choice so it's basically free money and it keeps me abreast of the latest marketing claims.
reply
Used to? That means you dont anymore? Some of them have interesting backgrounds.
reply
So...do you think we'll ever switch to metric?
reply
reply
21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Fabs 19 Nov
'Cause if you're partners in crime, you're in for a good time. 🥳
reply
Do you think people can feel when they're being watched? If so, how?
reply
If people are more productive and have better technology over time, shouldn’t goods and services become cheaper over time?
reply
I would like to share my real story I already shared this story in SN comment and I had earned about 500 sats hope this will work again So start once couple of year ago I was broke at that time na had no money so created a website like fake website where they can stake there btc and in return they will get certain percentage in 1 week I told every friends of mine they inveated in my site in first week I gave them their money with interest. After that they became greedy and they invested more so I took all the money and shutdown the website they still don't know about it This hasn't followed all the condition but yeah
reply
0 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 20 Nov
First make a complement, then say: Sooooo.....Have you heard about the difficulty adjustment?
reply
I think the context varies, it depends on the situation where you are with another person to start a conversation... whether in person or in a discussion group. I think a good trick is to talk about the weather... that's what I usually do sometimes when I have to talk to strangers or people I know that I meet on the street.
Something like this, ehem
  • "Hi, how are you! wow the sun feels strong, it's burning"
  • "Hi, nice day... it's cold this afternoon (evening or morning)"
  • "Hi, how's the sky, look at those clouds, it looks like it's going to rain"
reply
0 sats \ 0 replies \ @go 20 Nov
I have a fail-safe conversation starter and it's exactly everything you're looking for. It works EVERY time.
You get within proximity of a stranger, make eye contact and they say, "How's it going?" I don't know why we say this as a culture, but it's 75% of conversation starters whether we like it or not.
My answer to that is" Best day EVER!" and it usually gets a laugh or smile, and they want to talk about whether that's a good philosophy or they want to ask me what's so great. I then say something super quick and turn it back on them.
reply
i once went to a speed dating event and brought a deck of cards with fun conversation topics. i had fun and many girls did too, but something must have been off about my attitude because i got zero matches that day. i also spilled beer on some guy's crotch at the start of the event, haha (i was drinking non-alcoholic hot tea).
instead of cards, u cud pick a random stacker.news post, and discuss that with the new acquaintance. that way they cud help u construct a response and u will have a story to tell on here.
reply
Good conversation starter is “why the hell in 2024 do you still use Coinbase” haha
“Howdy, what brings you around these parts” would be a good icebreaker if he want to bring the SN vibe to the real world.
reply
Woah man, what's up with the penguin's knees?
reply
I really like your nym, man, It's such a simple thing - "The Purple Monkey" -, but made into something I'd almost almost call art.
#ApeTogetherStrong!
reply
Thank you siiiir. Some generative image AI (Microsoft? ChatGPT? Can't remember) made the pic for me
Do you prefer spicy or non-spicy food, and why?
reply