What is why does he text me to start a conversation and then not respond at all?

There could be several reasons why someone starts a conversation via text but then doesn't respond. Here are a few possibilities:

1. Distraction or Busy Schedule: They might have intended to engage in a conversation but got distracted or had something urgent come up. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes people don't get a chance to return to the conversation as quickly as they’d like.

2. Forgetfulness: They may have simply forgotten to reply. After sending an initial message, they might have anticipated a response or follow-up at a later time and then forgotten about it amidst their other tasks or messages.

3. Loss of Interest: It is possible that they initially wanted to start a conversation but lost interest quickly, either due to a lack of stimulating response or a change in their mood or priorities.

4. Testing the Waters: They might have been curious about your response or simply testing your interest. Once they got what they needed in terms of reassurance or lack of interest, they might not feel the need to continue the conversation.

5. Uncertain Intentions: They might not have had a clear purpose in starting the conversation and thus didn’t have much to discuss once they initiated it.

6. Anxiety or Overthinking: Some people get anxious about how to continue a conversation or worry about saying the wrong thing, which can lead them to withdraw after starting a conversation.

7. Technical Issues: There could be a chance that their response either didn’t get through due to technical problems or they thought they replied when in fact the message wasn’t sent.

If this behavior is recurring and it bothers you, it might be helpful to address it directly with the person to seek clarity. Effective communication is key in understanding intentions and setting expectations.