Part of the reason we listen is to be heard. If we didn't at least pretend to pay attention to others, nobody would do the same for us. We ened other people for our very survival. You don't see many, if any, people in the modern world living alone and relying on no one else for food, clothing, etc.
Socialization is necessary to fulfill our wants and desires. Trading information can instill trust, and feigning or feeling interest can raise other's opinions of us. Look at how hard life is for people who are truly antisocial. They live out in the woods and have little contact with their fellow men. You can bet no one helps them out if they have a problem, and they must not get laid too often either.
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