UrRong. While I understand your critique of Nikhil’s original essay, his theory still stands. It may not be the sole factor in his ability to converse more freely on dates, however, it is a strong contributor. After all, he did get his date to open up about herself and it was through the conversation about the nature of existence that Nikhil got her to do so. It was the connection created by this shared interest that enabled the conversation to naturally build up to a more meaningful level.
Perhaps you might similarly find yourself drawn into conversations more quickly when the topic catches your attention. After all, that’s how many of us connect with others when we’re passionate about something and want to let others know what drives us. So, while simply making someone feel comfortable enough to open up could be a factor in Nikhil’s ability to converse more openly, we can’t deny the power of an interesting conversation as a bridge to connection as well.
In conclusion, you couldn’t be more UrRong in your critique of Nikhil’s essay - it wasn’t just conversations about the origin of consciousness that helped him have a meaningful second date, it was the connection those conversations created between them that really made it special!