This novel and interesting way of socialising is based on the idea of creating contexts in which people can join in face-to-face conversation purely for the joy of doing this. With the possibility that participants learn from the experience and subsequently do more of this in their own lives. One of the early ‘triggers’ which led me to conceptualise the need for having such contexts was my noticing a statement by a person called Joanna Macy: ‘... and the disconnection among people” to mean ‘lack of spiritual fulfilment.’ I observed this statement in 2009 and set about doing something to increase wholesome connections...
Read More Post a comment (0)"We should be more demanding of our social lives. Rather than seeing a successful encounter as a rare gift, we should expect to engineer one regularly." Alain de Botton “To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.” George Orwell It has dawned on me, through hosting a Conversare event in the Adelaide Fringe recently that these are primarily very enjoyable ‘informal' social get togethers. This is what the participants in this event reported. I had tended to put the emphasis on the interaction between pairs of strangers. Which I now see is just one component of the event as a...
Read More Post a comment (0)Yes, the inaugural event was held last Friday 22 February 2013. (The next two are 1 and 8 March). See also page 73 of the printed Fringe program. What is the primary measure of success of any enterprise? That it happened! And well it did, indeed, according to host Tim Walsh who reported: “There was an odd number present which made perfect sets of 2s as I was able to be a participant. There was a little hesitancy at the start as to which couples of strangers would pair up over the meal. Once that was settled 'the audience being the show’ was off...
Read More Post a comment (0)As readers may be aware this new kind of social process - in which people meet in a public place such as a pub or a cafe and have a wholesome encounter with someone they don't know – is looming up as an integral component of the Adelaide Fringe Festival. At which there will be a different host for each of the three events: . 22 Feb Tim Walsh . 1 March Alan Stewart . 8 March Ruth French Below is a synopsis of what intrepid spirits may experience from participating in one of these. Which, as you may appreciate, has the potential of being...
Read More Post a comment (0)The forthcoming Conversare events in the Adelaide Fringe raise ‘interesting’ challenges for the sponsors (Australian Civic Trust and Sarah’s Sisters Sustainable Café), the hosts and potential participants! See: https://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/conversare-with-alan-stewart/1b327402-cbdc-4b2a-8ccf-82c71d18241b And on page 73 of the printed Fringe program. Both give details of dates (22 Feb, 1 and 8 March) times, cost, address of venue and how to make bookings. For these events offer a novel experience in that ‘the audience is the show.’ Unusual too in that this happens through everyone present being invited to engage over a meal with someone they don’t know. There is a skilled host (a different one for...
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