Recent developments on ideas and applications of conversing
Compiled by Al Stewart, PhD
If it appeals to you see more below. <smile>>
Last call for Adelaidians re tomorrow’s ‘conversation over fine dinner’ event.
Do you have someone in mind who you reckon would greatly welcome knowing about this ‘interesting and enjoyable’ way of socialising among lively company?
Please note that tickets for the next Conversare in the Adelaide Central Market on Tuesday 25 June, 2019 can be obtained here
To begin here’s a new story that may stir your cockles. <smile>
This also ‘snuck in’ after the original posting.
On the awe of conversation
1. A new group, called ‘The Talking Evolution‘ makes these seminal points – with my emphases:
We’ve got
a big problem, we human beings. Bigger than plastic in the oceans and toxins in
the air, bigger even than climate change.
It’s how we talk and listen to each other – at home, at work and in society.
We can do better. We have to do better if we’re going to meet the challenges of
the 21st century.
We need a revolution – a talking revolution.
We need it now.
And we’re going to make it happen.
Why We Want You To Join Us
This community is for people who believe passionately in the transformative power of conversation. It’s the lifeblood of what makes us human and when we do it well, wonderful things can happen.
We want you to share your knowledge and experience of how truly connecting through talking and listening can change things for the better – whatever your field and level of expertise.
So come inside, introduce yourself – and get talking!
With similar sentiments now being expressed increasingly widely. See below.
2. Living
Room Conversations
https://www.livingroomconversations.org/about-us/
Connecting Across Divides.
Living Room Conversations are a conversational bridge across issues that divide and separate us. They provide an easy structure for engaging in friendly yet meaningful conversation with those with whom we may not agree. These conversations increase understanding, reveal common ground, and sometimes even allow us to discuss possible solutions. No fancy event or skilled facilitator is needed.–
3. National Conversation Project
. https://www.nationalconversationproject.org/
Americans of all stripes and 200 partner organizations are stepping up to address the growing crisis of social polarization and animosity across divides. Together we can turn the tide of rising rancor and deepening division with widespread conversations in which we #ListenFirst to understand. National Conversation Project promotes National Weeks of Conversation, #ListenFirst Fridays, and any conversation inviting people to revitalize America together.
4. What we Believe
THE POWER OF CONVERSATION
by Ronald Gross and Elizabeth Cohn
Ronald Gross co-chairs the University Seminar on Innovation in Education at Columbia University and is the author of Socrates’ Way and other books.
Elizabeth Cohn, PhD, RN, is the Director of the Center for Health Innovation and an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health at Adelphi University, and a Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Faculty Scholar.
We Need to Talk…As We Always Have
“Conversation is the iconic human activity. It’s who we are. Learning from each other – enjoying the sounds of our voices, yours and mine, exchanging thoughts and feelings, articulating, thinking beyond what we have in our own personal bank of resources. It is the main means by which we move forward together to create a future good for all.”
Some excerpts:
Sondra Myers, author of Democracy Is a
Discussion: Civic Engagement in Old and New Democracies
“Conversation is the most basic, most varied,
and occasionally the most elevating of all human activities. It is the way we
convey information, inspire each other, and achieve understanding. Conversation
is the way we challenge, amuse, and amaze each other.”
Jaida n’ha Sandra, The Joy of Conversation
“Conversation has provided these joys and uses in virtually every era and culture. It has enhanced the quality of life, nurtured relationships, and strengthened communities — sometimes through sharp challenges to the status quo.
5. Lets Talk New York – and increasingly elsewhere too
Conversation Day started in New York City in 2013 as a
celebration of the joys and power of great conversation, sponsored by the
non-profit volunteer organization Conversations New York (CNY), founded and directed by Ronald Gross, co-chair of the
University Seminar on Innovation at Columbia University.
On Saturday, June 8, 2019, Ron will be hosting Conversation
Day 2019 in New York. See
also here.
And https://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/
Worldwide, Conversation Day is celebrated annually on the
second Saturday in June in over 20 cities including New York, London, Paris,
Beijing, Tokyo, Lagos, Bangalore, Kuala Lumpur, and Riyadh.
Here are details of the Conversation
Day in London event
6. It’s good to talk: how the art of conversation is under threat
“It’s good to talk, but some say we’re just not doing it enough. Sandra Dick finds a new push is underway to encourage a little more conversation.”
The friend who sent this to me noted:
There is a mention of a potential ‘confrere’ – Tom Pow, a Dumfries-based poet and creative director, behind a Scottish arts-backed project:
A year of Conversation http://ayearofconversation.com
7. These poignant reflections from a person who lives quite close to me – who I will be meeting for the first time shortly!!
“But it appears that, apart from a few, there is no interest in “community”. We would all like a more friendly community, but, to be frank, nobody goes out of their way to achieve it. We have become, as a society, so insular we seem to have lost our ability to talk to anybody we don’t know. Oblivious to anyone other than our nearest and dearest. Nobody really cares about anyone but themselves. It’s a shame because life could be so much nicer just by taking the time to say “hello”. It’s not hard, but then again perhaps it is.” –
8. (Why) We Need a Big Bang in Human Progress
The Kind of World We Need to Build to Thrive in the 21st Century
https://eand.co/why-we-need-a-big-bang-in-human-progress-9a6a4ad2d70
Excerpt from this ‘remarkable’ (in my opinion) article:
“… We need a Big Bang in human progress, my friends. We need it now. Not just to solve things like climate change and inequality — but more deeply, to help soothe and console our primal wounds. Do I matter? Why am I here? Where will I go? Why am I in this position of loneliness, ignorance, and grief — why is that my condition? If those wounds — which never heal — aren’t tended with mercy, gentleness, truth, seen for the beautiful scars they are…people grow angry, afraid, enraged, hopeless, and then look for foolish, stupid, answers to those very questions — answers like the extremism, fascism, nationalism which capitalism implodes into:
I am here to be supreme. I am here to be cruel. I am here to trample the weak. That’s the other future — the one where we don’t grapple with the Really Big Questions. If that doesn’t sound like a particularly desirable one to you, then: we need a Big Bang in human progress.”
Wondering how these concepts of conversing resonate with you?
Looking forward
Al
Al
(formerly Alan) Stewart, PhD
Process Artist
Facilitator of conversations that matter and participatory fun
Senior Fulbright Scholar
Blog: www.conversare.net
Member:
National Trouble Makers
Union <Smile>
Residence:
Adelaide, South Australia, since 1975
With time away in the USA (1981) and Hong Kong (2005-2011)
_________________________________
“Whenever
we treat each other well good things happen.”
Al Stewart
“Be yourself. And be it well”
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