questions

What would you take to an uninhabited island? That's a common question of curiosity (is there a better term for this kind of questions?). As the question usually implies the means of survival in such an environment a satellite phone would be an obvious answer. Your best chance to survive would be getting out of there as soon as possible. The phone can both call you a ride and provide your exact location.

People love to talk about themselves, they like to share what they know. If you just ask them to. 

Questions are a great way to learn. Both to know more about the person you are talking with and the things they know about. It's a good opportunity that shouldn't be missed. Listening to them makes them also value you more as you show appreciation towards them.

The problem is, we love to talk about ourself so much we often forget the other person. We don't ask those questions, we just keep answering the ones they are presenting to us. And we feel good about it.

... would you rather have the powers of Batman or Superman? That's an interesting question. And probably not what you expected. But I'm sure there would be a lot to talk about it no matter which answers you'd choose.

Questions are funny things. They are good conversation starters and can keep any conversation going on. And it doesn't have to be as obscure as my example. Just simple things can ignite a meaningful conversation. You just need to keep asking them.