From the outline I miss: Stroke their feathers. I have quite a few interesting discussions with people in academia whom I've never met before but work in somet

From the outline I miss: Stroke their feathers. I have quite a few interesting discussions with people in academia whom I've never met before but work in something I'm interested in at that point in time. Quickly explaining what you've read and why (hint: their articles!) I feel helps in moving from "homework"-question to might be interesting. I always figure that most professors mainly meet people in their circle and not a lot of people outside, so in the basis are happy to explain something to someone that comes across as authentically interested.