[jcims]

The description might be a bit indulgent, but the experience resonates. Having a conversation about flowers and your mind wants to talk about why there seems to be an innate attraction towards the scent of certain flowers. Like what is the electrochemical process that creates sensation in your mind of attraction and beauty and a pleasant experience when a certain set of chemicals bind to receptors in your head.

But then you don’t because the last time you did something like that you just got a blank stare, and ‘hmmm!’ and a change in topics.

[giraffe_lady]

There's no brain so big it prevents you from just enjoying the smell of the flower instead.

[saulpw]

Note though that it was a conversation about flowers, possibly at a party with no flowers in sight. Imagine it went like this:

jcims: So what kind of hobbies are you into?

Bob: I love my garden, I planted several new flowers last weekend in fact.

jcims: Oh? What kind of flowers are you growing?

Bob: These latest are Lenten roses, I know a lot of people find the smell a bit unpleasant, but I actually prefer it to the zinnias.

jcims (sober): Isn't it interesting how there seems to be an innate attraction towards the scent of certain flowers. Like what is the electrochemical process that creates sensation in your mind of attraction and beauty and a pleasant experience when a certain set of chemicals bind to receptors in your head.

Bob: I don't know about chemistry, I'm just a gardener.

---

Alternately:

jcims (tipsy): That's cool! I've never heard of Lentil roses. Do they smell different than real roses?

Bob: chuckle Finally, a pleasant party conversation! The last person I talked with must have had a Ph.D. in neurochemistry or something, they started talking about electroreceptors and I just couldn't think of anything smart enough to say.