| Are You Too Self-Critical? Or, Over-Confident? Do Men and Women Differ?Thursday, June 20, 3:45 – 5:00 pm Gottesman Library, Teachers College, 525 West 120th St., Second Floor (Between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues — 116th St./Columbia University stop on the #1 train) Hosted by Ron Gross RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/122481962/ Please join us to share your experiences, reflections, and insights.
These important questions were posed recently by David Brooks, author of The Social Animal and a regular Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times, who invited his readers — and us — to respond. We will — and we’ll review the most interesting responses he has received so far. There will be a display of relevant books. Light refreshments will be available. Next session: Thursday, Thursday, July 11th, 3:45 pm For more information: www.SocratesWay.com/join.html |
Category Archives: Event
America’s Direction: What Values & Whose Interests Should Guide Our Choices? – March 28
America’s Direction:
What Values & Whose Interests Should Guide Our Choices?
A Socratic Conversation with Ron Gross
Columbia University Campus
(between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues — 116th St. stop on the #1 train)
Thursday, March 28, 3:45 -5:00 pm
RSVP to grossassoc@aol.com
and at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/107701172/
Thank you.
and at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/107701172/
Thank you.
Are you concerned about any of the directions in which America seems to be moving?
- If so, which ones, and why?
- What would you like to see happen in response?
- What values should this nation embody, enact, and promote? Liberty? Democracy? Equality? Justice? Tolerance? Opportunity?
There will be light refreshments and a display of relevant books.
Suggest optional reading: The Idea That Is America, by Anne-Marie Slaughter, Basic Books, 2007
Next session: Thursday, 4/25, Topic:HAPPIER ENDINGS: How Can We Best Handle Exits, Losses, and Farewells — Personal and Professional?
Inspired by Socrates’ famous conversations with his friends in the marketplace of 5th century Athens, we engage in spirited discussions of ideas and issues. Socratic conversations range broadly and probe deeply into the basic challenges of life. They are informed by the latest literature for reference and follow up. While building a sense of community on campus, these meetings enliven the intellectual atmosphere and model dialogue and discussion as modes of inquiry. They are part of a year long series of Socratic Conversations hosted by the Gottesman Libraries.
CONVERSATIONS NEW YORK
Imagine…
Hundreds of New Yorkers coming together in small groups of neighbors and fellow citizens to discuss topics of intensive interest…
Hosted at no cost and at convenient locations and times…
Aided by simple guiding principles…
Inspired by the city’s grand tradition of robust conversation…
Our vision is to inspire, organize, publicize, facilitate and celebrate a renaissance of healthy dialogue in New York City.
Join us!
How You Can Help Us Grow!
If you would like to easily add to our strength, we’d be grateful for your taking these easy steps:
1. Visit us at https://conversationsnewyork.com/ to learn more about us, subscribe to our website, and spread the word.
2. Share with us your reactions, questions, and suggestions about this venture. conversationsnewyork@gmail.com
3. ”Like” our organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ConversationsNewYork and join http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/
4. Consider convening a Conversation yourself – https://conversationsnewyork.com/resources-for-moderators-2/
5. Tell us about Conversations you think should be listed on our on-line calendar. https://conversationsnewyork.com/calendar-of-conversations/
We hope you’re as excited as we are about promoting and encouraging stimulating conversations in New York City!
Socratic Conversation: The School-To-Prison Pipeline: The Effects of “Zero Tolerance” Policies with Natalie Millman, Thursday, March 14th
Socratic Conversation:
The School-To-Prison Pipeline: The Effects of “Zero Tolerance” Policies with Natalie Millman, Thursday, 3/14, 4:45 to 6pm
Where: Columbia University NY (RSVP to Natalie Millman at NatMillman@gmail.com – required to obtain exact location / address AND at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/108095812/)
Schools and prisons, at first glance, may appear to have nothing to do with each other. However, “zero tolerance” policies instituted at schools around the country serve to funnel ‘dangerous’ students into prisons. Excessive policing, unequal sentencing, and the expansion of prisons all play a role in this phenomenon.
We will be addressing several questions during this conversation.
What knowledge do you have about this phenomenon from your own experience(s) or studies?
What do you think is more valuable – protecting law-abiding children or investing resources into rehabilitative services?
What would you like to see happen on a national, state, or local level concerning zero tolerance policies and excessive policing in schools?
What can we ourselves do to address the problem?
Suggest optional reading: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/denver-school-to-prison-pipeline_n_2725816.html
***
Inspired by Socrates’ famous conversations with his friends in the marketplace of 5th century Athens, we engage in spirited discussions of ideas and issues. Socratic conversations range broadly and probe deeply into the basic challenges of life. They are informed by the latest literature for reference and follow up. While building a sense of community on campus, these meetings enliven the intellectual atmosphere and model dialogue and discussion as modes of inquiry. They are part of a year long series of Socratic Conversations hosted by the Gottesman Libraries.
This highly-participatory Conversation will be conducted by Natalie Millman, MSW student at Columbia University School of Social Work. Natalie lives in Manhattan and works as an advocate for a variety of issues; her practice specialty is in health and disabilities with an interest in the aging population. Amongst other activities, Natalie teaches writing classes in Manhattan and has facilitated formal conversations for groups since May 2012.
Next session: Thursday, 3/28, Topic: America’s Direction: What Values & Whose Interests Should Guide Our Choices?
Follow CNY at http://www.conversationsnewyork.com.
Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/conversationsnewyork.
Want to Join the CNY team?: We have opportunities for professionals with relevant skills to contribute pro bonoto the development of CNY in several important areas:
Editorial
Calendar-development
Funding
Media Relations/Social Networking
Venue-finding and Evaluation
IT/Operations
Legal
We are also seeking organizational partners and funding, from public and private agencies who share our interest in fostering a richer cultural life in NYC.
RELATIONSHIPS: What We All Need to Know But Are Afraid to Ask – February 28
RELATIONSHIPS
What We All Need to Know But Are Afraid to Ask
(The Statler Grill was kind enough to reserve 3 tables in a quiet room for us. No purchases are required although The Statler would greatly appreciate your patronage. Separate checks available on request.)
Thursday, February 28, RSVP and details at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/104568392/
Join us for food, drinks, and discussion.
Bring your questions and collective wisdom.
Each table votes for favorite a relationship question.
Short social before and in between rounds
–Greet old friends and meet new ones.
6:30 pm Social
7:00 First Round
8:30 Second Round
9:30+ Continue conversations on your own
CONVERSATIONS NEW YORK
Imagine…
Hundreds of New Yorkers coming together in small groups of neighbors and fellow citizens to discuss topics of intensive interest…
Hosted at no cost and at convenient locations and times…
Aided by simple guiding principles…
Inspired by the city’s grand tradition of robust conversation…
Our vision is to inspire, organize, publicize, facilitate and celebrate a renaissance of healthy dialogue in New York City.
Join us!
How You Can Help Us Grow!
If you would like to easily add to our strength, we’d be grateful for your taking these easy steps:
1. Visit us at https://conversationsnewyork.com/ to learn more about us, subscribe to our website, and spread the word.
2. Share with us your reactions, questions, and suggestions about this venture. conversationsnewyork@gmail.com
3. ”Like” our organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ConversationsNewYork and join http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/
4. Consider convening a Conversation yourself – https://conversationsnewyork.com/resources-for-moderators-2/
5. Tell us about Conversations you think should be listed on our on-line calendar. https://conversationsnewyork.com/calendar-of-conversations/
We hope you’re as excited as we are about promoting and encouraging stimulating conversations in New York City!
LOVE NOW – February 14
LOVE NOW
A Socratic Conversation conducted by Ron Gross
Location: Address is available only via RSVP (to Ron at grossassoc@aol.com)
— general area of the Columbia University campus, 120th St. and Broadway.
Thursday, February 14th, 3:45 pm.
Limited seating. RSVP to reserve your place.
LOVE was the subject at Socrates’ most charming conversation, at the home of his dear friend Agathon, accompanied by plenteous wine and flirting, as portrayed in the Platonic Dialogue “The Symposium”. Down the ages ever since, lively-minded and passionate people have found this subject deliciously discussable – and when better than on this day!
What are YOUR experiences and reflections on such questions as:
1. What does Love mean to YOU?
2. Is Love different for men and for women?
3. Is Love “natural” – or “socially-constructed”?
4. Is the word “Love” really useful – or confusing?
5. Does the meaning of Love change as we grow?
6. What have you learned about loving wisely and well?
Suggested optional readings:
Love, by Robert C. Solomon;
Philosophies of Love, Edited by David L. Norton and Mary F. Kille;
The Art of Loving, by Eric Fromm
Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Why We Love?, Helen Fisher
Light refreshments will be available.
There will be a display of relevant recent and classic books.
For more information: www.socratesway.com/join.html
The “Talk-About” — a new opportunity for conversations for theater-going New Yorkers
The “Talk-About” — a new opportunity for conversations for theater-going New Yorkers
Here’s something you might want to try, to enhance an upcoming night at the theater: we call it the “Talk About”!
This new kind of New York Conversation “opened” Off-Broadway at the SOHO Theater recently. After a performance of Ingenious Nature,* eight playgoers gethered to share their reactions to the provocative work over drinks downstairs in the theater’s bar.
“It was great fun to hear what other people saw in it,” said Julie Epstein. Another participant, Frank Purcell, said: “I found it fascinating and illuminating”. “Everyone’s looking for love, or sex, occasionally even both,” said a third discussant. “It was fascinating to hear about some ways that the science of evolutionary psychology can help us find either– or even both!”
Convenor Ron Gross of CNY explains that “the ‘Talk-About’ is a new wrinkle on the ‘Talk-Backs‘ that have become a familiar feature of New York theater, especially Off-Broadway”. “Such a conversation enhances the experience of a night at the theater, by enriching your own experience as you share it with others. You get to review the show from other peoples’ perspectives.”
So how about trying it on YOUR next night at the theater? You can announce it on our calendar like this sample listing which appeared on Feb. 1st:
Discuss ‘All’s the Rage’ (title of your conversation)
Will you be attending the show “All’s the Rage”, playing at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater on Saturday evening, Feb. 2nd? We’d love to share reactions afterwards. If you’re interested in joining us for a brief conversation about this provocative play, meet us in the lobby as it lets out and we’ll adjourn to a suitable venue in the building or on the same block. One of us will be wearing a yellow beret.
Sue Salko and Ron Gross
OR: Just type up half-a-dozen invitations** and leave a blank space for the location; get to the theater half-an-hour early to scout out a bar, pizza place, or other convenient venue; then keep your eye peeled during intermission for audience members who look like they might be interested!
* Ingenious Nature was a theatrical mix-tape, written and performed by Baba Brinkman, the Canadian rap artist, writer, and creator of The Rap Guide to Evolution (2011 Drama Desk Award Nominee).
** Suggested text:
Dear Fellow Theater-Goer:
Would you like to talk about the show afterwards? We’d love to share reactions! We’ll meet after the show let’s out, at NAME & ADDRESS. (These “Talk Abouts” are promoted by Conversations New York — http://www.conversationsnewyork.com.)
(Signed) YOUR NAME
Discuss ‘All the Rage’ – February 2nd
Discuss ‘All the Rage’
Will you be attending the show “All the Rage”, playing at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater on Saturday evening, Feb. 2nd? We’d love to share reactions afterwards. If you’re interested in joining us for a brief conversation about this provocative play, meet us in the lobby as it lets out and we’ll adjourn to a suitable venue in the building or on the same block. One of us will be wearing a yellow beret.
Sue Salko and Ron Gross
347-640-3601
RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/102551142/
416 West 42nd St., 4th floor (between 9th and 10th Avenues), New York, NY
CNY Steering Committee Meeting (Open to All, with Formal Agenda) – January 24
(PLEASE NOTE – RSVP closes at 5 pm today because of venue constraints. Thank you.)
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As you know, we’ve scheduled a Steering Committee session concomitant with the Socratic Conversation on Your Habits and Your Life, at Columbia this Thursday. I hope to see you at one or both!
The Conversation will start at 4:00, and the Steering Committee at 5:30 — RSVP required to receive address/location on the Columbia University campus (area of 120th St. and Broadway), if you are coming for the first time — please write to Ron Gross at grossassoc@aol.com.
There’s much progress to report, including the addition of superb new team members, Yen’s wonderful work on the website, Antonia’s robust launch of our PR campaign, Phil’s inimitable “connecting”, Michele’s editorial wizardry, Herb’s exploration of resources for moderators, and more!
Please come prepared to report from your part of the forest, and to share your next priorities for February.
Ronald Gross
Founder/Director
E-MAIL: GrossAssoc@aol.com
WEBSITES:
http://www.SocratesWay.com
http://www.ConversationsNewYork.com
http://www.OldBetterWiser.com
Imagine…
Hundreds of New Yorkers coming together in small groups of neighbors and fellow citizens to discuss topics of intensive interest…
Hosted at no cost and at convenient locations and times…
Aided by simple guiding principles…
Inspired by the city’s grand tradition of robust conversation…
Our vision is to inspire, organize, publicize, facilitate and celebrate a renaissance of healthy dialogue in New York City.
Join us!
How You Can Help Us Grow!
If you would like to easily add to our strength, we’d be grateful for your taking these easy steps:
1. Visit us at https://conversationsnewyork.com/about-cny/ to learn more about us, subscribe to our website, and spread the word.
2. Share with us your reactions, questions, and suggestions about this venture. conversationsnewyork@gmail.com
3. ”Like” our organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ConversationsNewYork
4. Consider convening a Conversation yourself – our site will soon provide resources, but in the meantime just ask us.
5. Tell us about Conversations you think should be listed on our on-line calendar.
We hope you’re as excited as we are about promoting and encouraging stimulating conversations in New York City!
Thank you
conversationsnewyork@gmail.com
Your Habits & Your Life: Thursday, January 24
YOUR HABITS & YOUR LIFE
Thursday, January 24, 3:45 – 5:15 pm
Thursday, January 24, 3:45 – 5:15 pm
A Socratic Conversation conducted by Ron Gross
in Columbia University area (120th St. and Broadway), but RSVP required to obtain exact location/address — please write to Ron Gross at grossassoc@aol.com.
Aristotle declared that “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a HABIT.”
Now, educators, psychologists, social scientists, organizational leaders, and people like us are re-discovering the power of this discipline which has been neglected for several decades. It has been harnessed for good and not-so-good, by marketers at Proctor & Gamble and Target, CEOs at ALCOA and Starbucks, and other organizations ranging from the Civil Rights Movement to major churches.Most importantly, each of us can use it to transform our lives.
Please join us to share your opinions, experiences, and reflections:
What are some good and bad habits? Would you like to change any of your habits, or cultivate any new ones? How do habits determine how we vote, what we buy, who we know, and how we keep healthy, or get sick?
Now, educators, psychologists, social scientists, organizational leaders, and people like us are re-discovering the power of this discipline which has been neglected for several decades. It has been harnessed for good and not-so-good, by marketers at Proctor & Gamble and Target, CEOs at ALCOA and Starbucks, and other organizations ranging from the Civil Rights Movement to major churches.Most importantly, each of us can use it to transform our lives.
Please join us to share your opinions, experiences, and reflections:
What are some good and bad habits? Would you like to change any of your habits, or cultivate any new ones? How do habits determine how we vote, what we buy, who we know, and how we keep healthy, or get sick?
Suggested optional reading:
THE POWER OF HABIT, by Charles Duhigg.
Note: This book is the current selection of the Leonard Lopate Book Club; the author will be interviewed by Leonard on WNYC on Tues., Feb. 5th
Light refreshments will be available.
Beverages available for purchase in Coffee Shop on first floor where you enter building.
There will be a display of relevant recent and classic books.
For more information: www.socratesway.com/join.html
CNY-Hosted Conversation on January 14: Laughing Matters!
Laughing Matters!:
What Role Does Humor Play in Your Life –
and in Our Culture?
Hosted by Ron Gross of Conversations New York (CNY)
and Columbia University
January 14, 2012 @ 6:15 PM — Location still to be Decided (please check back closer to date)
RSVP to: http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/events/95761892/
1. What makes you laugh, and why?
2. Who is your favorite comic performer, author, or work? (New Yorker cartoons, Jon Stewart, Woody Allen, Guys and Dolls. Seinfeld, or….)
3. Is your sense of humor different from other peoples?
4. Do you find some current humor objectionable, “politically incorrect,” or just not funny? (e.g, jokes about women, people with disabilities, minorities, the elderly, or….)?
5. What role does humor play in our lives and culture – according to philosophers, psychologists, and humorists?
You’re also invited to bring the funniest joke you have heard during the next month, to share!
Suggested Reading (optional):
- Inside Jokes: Using Humor to Reverse-Engineer the Mind, Hur, Dennett, and Adams, MIT Press;
- Jokes: Philosophical Thoughts on Joking Matters, Ted Cohen;
- Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One: A History and Philosophy of Jokes, Jim Holt.
Imagine…
Hundreds of New Yorkers coming together in small groups of neighbors
and fellow citizens to discuss topics of intensive interest…
Hosted at no cost and at convenient locations and times…
Aided by simple guiding principles…
Inspired by the city’s grand tradition of robust conversation…
Our vision is to inspire, organize, publicize, facilitate and celebrate
a renaissance of healthy dialogue in New York City.
How You Can Help Us Grow!
If you would like to easily add to our strength, we’d be grateful for your taking these easy steps:
1. Visit us at https://conversationsnewyork.com/about-cny/ to learn more about us.
2. Share with us your reactions, questions, and suggestions about this venture.
3. “Like” our organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ConversationsNewYork
4. Join our Meetup group at http://www.meetup.com/Conversations-New-York/
5. Consider convening a Conversation yourself – our site will soon provide resources, but in the meantime just ask us.
6. Tell us about Conversations you think should be listed on our on-line calendar.
We hope you’re as excited as we are about promoting and encouraging stimulating conversations in New York City!
Thank you
conversationsnewyork@gmail.com
"Let's Talk, New York!" 