Conversare – an event to experience, and be reminded of, the ‘human element’ in how we are together

In our modern world we appreciate that it is ever easier to connect and communicate with others technologically – with our fingers and on screens.

But what is this doing to our ability and associated desire (or lack thereof) to ‘converse’?  By this I mean to have face to face (F2F) conversations with people we know and also with others who we don’t?

To talk!

“Either we are going to die together, or we are going to live together.
And if we are going to live together, we have to talk.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (and many others since in a similar vein)

Particularly, would you agree, about ‘things that matter’ to each other?

And yet… is it your experience that this seldom happens? Does it matter?

What has happened to simply looking at people in the eye with sincerity and actually wanting to know how someone is, what they’re doing this weekend or what their passions or hobbies are?  And to have exchanges about these.

There are increasing commentaries and associated concerns about such  questions. Some are from the developers of AI (Artificial Intelligence) programs and associated devices.

For example, a lively panel of speakers at a recent forum of an event in Adelaide called ‘Festival of Ideas 2018’ addressed this issue:

‘When we manage AI as a social enabler, it offers an unprecedented capacity to connect with others. How can we use AI to minimise the growing trends of decreasing direct interaction, and increasing rates of depression, isolation and suicide?’

And came to the conclusion – in my understanding – that the most careful attention has to be paid to the balance the benefits of AI with ensuring that ‘the human element’ of caring for each other is not diminished.

For, would you also agree has been well said ‘Our modern ways of communicating slowly but surely are expunging the core virtues of empathy, compassion and love for one another’.

Does this resonate with you as ‘the raw, human part of each other’? Which we are losing, according to many commentators, among whom are Sherry Turkle.

Conversare  – a social event in which everyone present talks – was invented in Hong Kong  (when I was living happily there for six years until 2011).  To enjoy conversing with others – one at least over a meal– not previously met. And to be reminded just what are the core components of conversing.  For a reminder of these see here

Perhaps for some to have a taste – and a realisation – that to be in good conversation is a wonderful experience. And also come to realise that to become a skilled conversationalist takes practice!

Since being back in Adelaide I, together with a couple of associates, have staged Conversare gatherings here. Over the past few years in the Adelaide Central Market. We are the only ones to use this wondrous place after trading hours regularly in the nearly 150 years (anniversary of this is next year) of its history.

With the strong interest and support of the general manager who appreciated that the time is ripe for the Market to be widely recognised as a place to ‘meet and greet’ as well as ‘shop and eat’!  And has made provision in the budget for the year 2018-2019 for meeting events to happen.

This person has recently resigned and left. A replacement is yet to be appointed.

And so there will likely be a gap before these reportedly “novel and enjoyable conversational opportunities” resume.

With likely particular invited audiences, among which could be residents in high rise apartments in the CBD. Also students from other countries, and other newcomers to Adelaide, to meet local people. On previous occasions when this happened there were reportedly remarkable connections made. Just one example was Chinese students invited to an outing at a farm near Gawler.

 

If you have any feelings about the staging of Conversare in the Market – and possibly elsewhere too, anywhere in our little planet, 3^rd from the sun – please feel free to comment  as a way of sharing your ideas and insights.

Looking forward

Al  

Al (formerly Alan) Stewart, PhD
Process Artist
Facilitator of conversations that matter and participatory fun
Blog:  www.conversare.net
Web:  Multimind Solutions
Mob:  +61(0)413848680

Book (Kindle):  Time to converse – at the heart of human warmth
Comments  on this book

“Whenever we treat each other well good things happen.”
Al Stewart