IMing in Public

I've noticed, when talking to my 20- and 30-something friends, a distinct lack of segues.  Conversations will veer at sharp angles into the very middle of topics that really do need introduction, and then jump out again just as fast, perhaps circling back around intermittently, perhaps not.  A consistency of abruptness. 

And yet, all this veering and jumping does not break the conversational flow.  The continuity is maintained by the fact that they're still talking to you; in other words, still in the same chat window.  Not only lateral discontinuities, but vertical as well.  And yet, not discontinuities at all.  We're all united in the gap.  At least, they are.