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Want to have a better chat? Scientists say the secret is ‘pink noise’
Researchers have found that conversations are more enjoyable when they balance staying with a topic and bringing in new ideas. They describe this pattern as “pink noise”, and say it was linked to greater connection and interest in continuing a chat, including among strangers and friends.
The team analysed more than 1,000 conversations between strangers, chats between friends and speed dates. They used an AI system to assess each speaker’s turns across 768 criteria; more pink noise also predicted which speed-dating pairs met again. The researchers say conversational skill may be learnable, though a conversation analyst cautioned that enjoyment alone may not capture what makes an exchange valuable.
In short
- Good chats balance exploring a topic with fresh ideas.
- Researchers call that conversational pattern pink noise.
- More pink noise predicted second dates.
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The case for
The findings suggest that good conversation involves both continuity and openness: staying with a shared topic helps people feel heard, while introducing new ideas can keep an exchange lively. Because the pattern was associated with enjoyment and interest in meeting again across different kinds of conversations, it may offer a practical, learnable way to build connection.
The case against
The study’s measures do not establish that this conversational pattern causes better relationships or captures what makes a conversation valuable. Enjoyment and willingness to continue are only part of the picture; some meaningful exchanges may be challenging, focused or less immediately pleasurable, and an AI assessment across many criteria may not reflect every conversational context.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Want to have a better chat? Scientists say the secret is ‘pink noise’”.