Topics for Vendome dialogues

Here's a list of topics for future dialogues at Vendome that we developed last Wednesday.

Arthur

TOPICS for future dialogues

· Five of these were generated by AWC and the others were developed at the dialogue on August 21. The one that’s missing from this list was the most important one, co-authored by Nyabuoy Gatbel and Laurie Lin, which was the subject of an email sent out a day or so ago, and which will be our topic for discussion this coming Wednesday August 28. These others might be topics for future dialogues:

o What is a very disturbing trend (the worst you can think of) and what might we do to reverse that trend? (contributed by Godfrey) (Note: Rob facilitated a lightning round of ideas from each person of what such a trend might be, and Climate change was an example of one of the contributions. Arthur mentioned that a book has been published entitled What Should We Be Worried About? with very short contributions from many different authors.)

o Okotoks is planning a “tiny houses” initiative (perhaps with an “ecovillage” companion piece). What might we learn about the Okotoks initiative and what are your own ideas about how tiny houses and ecovillage concepts might be good ideas to carry further here in Calgary? (contributed by Gatwech)

o Helen Keller observed “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” So what? Think of three or four ideas – brilliant ideas if possible – for how you and others might put this observation into action. (contributed by Daniel)

o How can we connect people in Calgary better? (contributed by Marigold)

o Why is the sky blue? (contributed by Marigold)

o How can we prevent the bubonic plague? (contributed by Marigold)

o What should everyone know about kidney donations (contributed by Lily)

o If you had just one week to write a really good short story, how would you approach the challenge?

o Many Calgarians are facing financial challenges. Helen Keller said that alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. Einstein said that imagination is more important than knowledge. What ideas can you imagine whereby a group of Calgarians facing financial difficulties could largely solve their problems by working together over several years? In other words, imagine a detailed plan for five or ten Calgarians to achieve financial security by working together over several years.

o If you had to pick a really good movie for our dialogue group to watch and then discuss, what movie would you pick? Why would that particular movie be your choice? How would you lead the discussion about the movie?

o We know the value of our café dialogues but is anyone else in Calgary doing them? What would be some brilliant ways to spread the culture of dialogue in Calgary? If someone asked you to take charge of an initiative which by the end of next year would result in half the coffee shops in Calgary having frequent dialogue events, how would you achieve that outcome?

o If you could start any career of your choice and be sure of achieving success in that career within five years (financial security as well as a wonderful experience in the career itself), what career would you choose? Why would you choose that particular career?