I totally don't get why talking about topics beyond work isn't valuable. Okay, maybe not in an immediate how-will-I-solve-these-problems sense, but in terms of

I totally don't get why talking about topics beyond work isn't valuable. Okay, maybe not in an immediate how-will-I-solve-these-problems sense, but in terms of networking, emotional well-being, knowledge about the world and interpersonal skills / relationships, it's vital (as well as being kind of fun). Thinking long-term, being social is the way to go.