Conversation Café Winter 2013

Population growth, the move to a global economy, technology and ease of travel are some factors leading to massive and fast-paced change on our planet. Some of the issues, both positive and negative, that are created from these changes might include world hunger, social isolation, global warming, poverty, more accessible education, a growing attention to sustainability and social innovation. The world is shaped by our common aspirations and it is through our everyday actions that we provide implied approval to our reality. What changes do you think we need for this new era, and how can we move talk to action?

Some people believe there is no such thing as "healthy competition." Competition instils a belief that people can succeed only if others fail. It creates stress, self-doubt, sabotages relationships and isn't necessary to have a good time. Others feel that eliminating competition and creating the belief that everyone is a winner isn’t reality. We live in a competitive world. Competing can motivate, build character, encourage discipline and produce excellence. What do you think? Join us for this conversation where we will talk about the pros and cons of competition.

 

There are laws, rules, codes and guidelines governing pretty much every aspect of life. There are written rules and unwritten rules, social and cultural expectations, laws and family codes of conduct. Some people are rule breakers, and other people are overcome with anxiety with the thought of breaking a rule. Do we have too many rules in western society? Is it possible to follow every rule? How do you make the decision to break a rule? Are some rules meant to be broken? Have personal guidelines ever held you back? In this conversation, we attempt to make sense of the many rules that affect our lives.

 

When one person talks the other listens. It sounds simple but why do we often find it so hard to do? We often thinkabout our next statement rather than listening to what is being said, or try to decide how the speaker wants us to respond to them rather than just allowing their concerns to exist freely. Why is listening important? What defines a good listener?What is getting in the way of our ability to truly listen? How do you think listening (or the lack of it) affects our society? Join us in this discussion where we will question whether listening has become a lost art and what we should do about it.

A leader is often portrayed as the outspoken, charismatic person who always knows what to do. People who have “demonstrated leadership and initiative” always seem to get the best jobs. But what about the rest of us? Are some people born to be leaders and others not? What does it mean to be a leader? What are the attributes of a good leader? Can leadership be taught? What responsibilities do leaders have? Have you ever surprised yourself with your own leadership? Who are the best leaders you have known? Participate in this conversation on leadership where we will discuss these questions and more.

Every seven years your cells are replaced. Your reasoning, goals and ambitions as a child do not remotely resemble your current state of mind. Who you think you are and what others think of you can often be very different. Throughout your life your social roles change: child, partner, career person, retiree, activist, musician, volunteer etc. So if you are in a constant state of change, who are you? What doesn't change as you go through a series of identities? How do you know who you are? In this conversation we ask the age old question, who are you?

For some it might be life skills, such as financial planning or parenting. Others might wish there had been more time spent on issues of personal development, such as how to find your passion or how to know who you are. An argument for traditional subjects such as art history or philosophy might be made. Or perhaps you wish that there had been more emphasis on 21^st century skills, such as critical thinking and innovation. What do YOU think? In this conversation we ask: if you could go back and re-design what you learned in school, what would it be? And if you didn’t learn what you needed to know in school, where and how have you learned it since?

We live in a world where people increasingly value themselves by their career highs and financial achievements. Many would suggest that this conventional social expectation for success has proven to be hollow and destructive. What other ways could we define accomplishment? Could we, or even should we, have a dominant social measure of success? If we should, then how could we collectively shift toward embracing this? If we shouldn’t, then how can we keep people from comparing themselves to others? In this conversation, we discuss the ways that the western world might change the definition of success.

There's a tendency to equate play with childhood. When you behave that way as an adult, you're often considered immature, or people say you're acting like a child. In adulthood, play loses prominence over the more serious responsibilities that tend to dominate our schedules. Carefree activities seem like a luxury; however some say they can be a valuable means to learn and to relieve stress. Grown-ups often just aren't as good at playing as kids ­— should they be? What does play in adulthood mean? What can the opportunity to play provide adults? And how has your idea of play changed since you were young?

Not only is our wilderness shrinking, but the time we have available to enjoy it is dwindling too. Do we need to experience the silence of a lake at dusk and smell the scent of a pine forest, or is it possible to get the psychological benefits of wilderness in other ways? Can a quick visit to a park or your backyard meet your need to get away? What about indoor sanctuaries: can they meet your need for nature? Or perhaps the human connection to wilderness can be sustained through technology like nature TV or video games? What is it exactly that nature contributes to the human experience when we do get out in the elements? Or, put another way, what are we missing without these experiences?

Every day, children achieve extraordinary results as champions of social change, entrepreneurs and technological wizards. They continually demonstrate important attitudes, such as curiosity, optimism and unbounded joy. In this day and age, some say adults should be willing to learn from children as much as teach them. In this conversation, we’ll talk about the kids who have inspired you, and what we can learn from children about being creative, effective and happy in the 21^st century.

Our future will hold a population of more than 10 billion people who must somehow live together in a sustainable and harmonious way. There is a need for imagination, innovation and change. What matters most to you: how people get along, the opportunity for lifelong learning, cultural richness or economic opportunity? How might we create a peaceful place of beauty, wonder, excitement, inclusion and diversity? What other features should City 2.0 have? In this conversation we will tap into our collective wisdom and imagine the ideal city of the future.

It may be due to rising food prices or worries about climate change, but more Canadians are thinking harder about the security and sustainability of their food supply. The food we buy today comes from all over the globe, raised by people about whom we know very little. Some say that one of the best aspects of modern life is the enormous elaboration of the division of labour. Life is too short for most people to learn how to fix their computers and cars, and too short for most to learn about food production. Eating shouldn’t be a moral duty; it should be a pleasure. So what do you think? Are you interested in where your food comes from? Do you have concerns about its safety? Has the way you eat changed over the last few decades?

Just looking out on the world, or even next door, we are struck by the differences among us. Some people use differences as a way to exclude or devalue. Others suggest that we are all the same at heart. Still, others argue that it doesn’t help to ignore differences, as this would deny an inherent part of who we are. In this conversation we explore: How can we avoid focusing on differing characteristics as a point to exclude or devalue? How can we better communicate across our inevitable differences? How can we enable cross-cultural interaction for innovation and growth?