Abstract: A telecommunications system for providing an initial caller with access to one of a plurality of conversations each relating to a particular conversation topic available in the system. The system includes a voice recognizer and response unit for communicating with the caller. The caller selects a desired conversation topic by either generating an audio command to the voice recognizer, inputting a command in the keypad of the caller's telephone or computer, or communicating with a human operator. Upon selection of an available topic, the system connects the caller to a current conversation relating to that topic. In the event that there are no current conversations for the selected topic, the call is terminated and the system automatically calls back the initial caller when another caller selects the same topic as the initial caller.