2009 Suggested Topics

Thanks to all who attended dialogue group this week. Great start to our conversation on Technology in the Developing World, and fantastic brainstorming for the 2009 topics.

Please note that we have changed the date and time. Starting in January, we will meet from 7:30 - 9:30 pm on the last Tuesday of every month.

The last 10 minutes of each meeting will be dedicated to a teaser on the next month's topic. The upcoming topic's host will have the assignments selected and ready to present.

For January 27, we will continue the discussion on Technology in the Developing World, hosted by Tiffany Ivins.

The remaining 11 months will be determined by popular vote from the 20 suggestions below. Keep in mind that the topic descriptions are rough - just enough to give the general gist. The topic host will refine the focus once the topics are chosen. Please list your TOP TEN choices in the comments by Monday, January 5.

2009 SUGGESTED TOPICS

1) Comedy and Politics: How Spoofs Shape Public Opinion

• Effect of SNL, late shows, The Onion, etc. on political choices (i.e. What would people think of Sarah Palin if not for Tina Fey, and would it have changed the way they voted?)

2) Texting, Email, Blogs, and the Fall of the English Language

• do u thnk ppl care enuf 2 lrn propr english n duz it mttr?

3) The Utah State Budget: Where Do Our Tax Dollars Go?

4) The Future of Marriage: What will "the institution" of marriage look like in 20 years?

• Causes and effects of rising divorce rates
• Possible effects of gay marriage
  

5) Unintended Consequences of the Iraq War

• Shifts in global perceptions of the U.S.
• Economic impacts
  

6) Sexual Responsibility: How is Society Helped or Hindered by Personal Sexual Choices?

• Effects on STDs, dating norms, abortion, birth control, etc.
• Defining sexual responsibility: what does it mean?
• How have attitudes toward sexuality changed over the last century and has that been for the better or worse?
  

7) Lessons From the Great Depression: What Should We Know Going Into Recession?

• Listen to recordings and read stories from real people who lived it
• Shifts in perspective due to poverty (spirituality, prejudice, pride)
  

8) Can Poetry Save Corporate America?

• The poet, author, and lecturer David Whyte powerfully and charismatically argues that art (poetry in particular) can revive the soul that has been lost in modern-day work life. The assignments would include excerpts from his lectures and passages from his poetry.

9) Is Political Correctness Emasculating Men?

• Can men still be men in a politically correct world, and if not, what is being lost?
• Effects of current norms on chivalry, bravery, responsibility for family

10) State of Technology in Health Care

• Proliferation of digital records (National Health Care Network)
• Ethical Dilemmas (i.e. protecting privacy when medical records are more readily available)
• National Health Care
  

11) How Do We Communicate with Our Loved Ones?

• Five Love Languages
• Differences in ability to communicate with friends versus spouses, parents, siblings, etc.
• Effect of cultural background on communication
  

12) How to Enjoy Art

• Field trip! Visit an art museum or other cultural event together, led by an informed guide

13) The Future of Education

• New Ideas? What reforms are out there and how are they working?
• Obama’s agenda – what is it? How is it playing out?
  

14) New Forms of Art: Beyond Music & Painting

• Video games; graffiti; body art; Bodyworlds; technology: websites, advertising; personal expression, etc.
• Evolution of art over time
• Who benefits?
  

15) What determines attraction?

• Evolutionary link to survival?
• Influence of media on attraction?
• Appearance, behaviors, self-perception
• Gender differences
  

16) How Americans View Food

• Health effects: obesity, eating disorders, etc.
• Fast food: always eating on the go
• Large portions, culture of abundance
• How technology has affected the way we view food
  

17) The Odyssey Years: How Gen X is Experiencing Adulthood

• Perceptions of accountability and responsibility
• People getting multiple degrees because they don’t know what they want to do (grad school = snooze button on life)?
• No culture of stable jobs or loyalty to a company
  

18) Exploring the Cultural Shifts in America following the 1950s

• Were the 1950s really golden?
• Moral changes
• Educational changes
• Community cohesiveness
• Sexual revolution
  

19) Aging Boomers: Understanding the Economic Impacts of a Nation of Retirees

• Medicare
• Social security
• What to do with 20 good years of retirement?
  

20) Is the World Better or Worse Off Because of International Aid?

• Do wealthy nations have a moral obligation to help?
• Motives?
• Methods?
• What are the risks and benefits of helping or not helping?