> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.isaacbowen.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.isaacbowen.com/2024/05/27.md). # 20240527 A useful tool in conversation is the staging of a question — specifically, a question for your conversation partner. Sometimes a direct "Can you tell me about x?" is most useful. And sometimes, it's useful to disguise it as a statement *about yourself*, almost as a kind of good-natured bait: "I wonder about x... we all approach it so differently, you know?" This style prompts your partner to almost impulsively explore the question internally, in the privacy of their own mind, without the pressure of needing to verbalize the formation of the answer as it comes. Then, if they *want* to offer a response, they may do so — again, without being under any kind of pressure at all. Use this technique lightly. Maybe even just once per conversation. It's potent, but can get *very old* very quickly if done in an obvious manner. It's not a "bit", you know? It's an example of allowing space and silence to be a part of the conversation. Not all conversations are best served as tight back-and-forths. Sometimes, silence is a useful addition to the table. Consider when Silence may be inviting you to leave an idea suspended in the air, resting there, as Silence works its magic upon it in full view of you and your conversation partner. A space for meditation. This has the benefit of giving your conversation partner your unspoken blessing on their agency. They don't *have* to say something next. The game is always about reducing friction between your conversation partner and what they want most to say. :) Deploy the full measure of your empathetic awareness and intelligence, in service of this goal. The expression of that which wants most to be said — this is potent medicine. See also: [wu wei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_wei); [right action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path#Right_action) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://www.isaacbowen.com/2024/05/27.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.