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There are undoubtedly many things that we can interpret from social cues and nonverbal language. But we use them as clues, not as facts. They suggest a course of action for us, not demand them.

Our state of being, the fabric of who we are has become infinitely more complex as our language and culture has evolved over time. The amount of truth that we can grasp merely from the fragments of our intuition is miniscule. When there are vast networks of depth to our characters and values, innumerable subtle nuances and idiosyncrasies in our behavior, and countless inconsistencies in our perception when attempting to interpreting the world and people around us, how can we be so sure?

However exhausting or wearisome it may be, there is no substitute for taking the time to understand other human beings through honest conversation.