The former head of Tony Blair's office, Jonathan Powell, wrote an illuminating book on the theme, Talking to Terrorists: How to End Armed Conflict.
On Monday, 18 commercials carrying the theme "Talk is good" were introduced, encouraging consumers to exchange points of view on topics like gun control and affirmative action.
Allan Kozinn, who wrote Cage's obituary for the New York Times, recently contributed a fine essay on this theme, talking about how he treated himself to a private performance of Cage's most famous work while riding on the A train.
In another quick 'breakout' talk, game director Stefan Strandberg continues the theme, talking about how the player goes from being a follower to a leader, and how you're never a passive bystander to the action.
The designer himself, who took his bow as a shadow figure on a screen, to fit with the show's film noir theme, talked backstage about the austerity allure of a young Lauren Bacall and of Humphrey Bogart trench coats, but not of the recent solemn anniversary of the end of World War II that the soundtrack of air-raid sirens suggested.
The next song, "Girl" was noted for its Motown influence and a theme talking about friendship.
Lyrically, "Chandelier" has a sad theme talking about "the glitter and fatigue of a party girl's life".
As usual, there will be speakers from big companies, including Twitter, Facebook, Google, PayPal, Pandora, WordPress, Dropbox and Evernote, as well as some off-theme talks from Scott Harrison (Charity Water), and Scott Dunlap, who runs a marathon every week.
Still, while many of the Philadelphia-themed talks were enjoyable, not all were engaging, crisply presented, or seemed that worthy of inclusion.
Olbermann opted to leave sports altogether and signed on for a politically themed talk show on MSNBC.
"She's broadened the party's themes, talking about Europe, the economy, living standards; championing the workers and those who feel hard done by.
