Think Again

Political Discourse. Here's How We Can Change It.   Friday, Jan 23, 7:30 pm  |  Dialogue Leader: Jacob Hess Mark & Elizabeth England's home at 1194 South 500 East in Salt Lake City. Late-comers, please use the back door.   Discussion: Across the country, a dialogue and deliberation movement is afoot, evidenced by the thousands of people joining National Coalition of Dialogue and Deliberation . Despite the growing animosity between socio-political groups in the U.S., a budding liberal-conservative or "transpartisan" dialogue effort continues to unfold nationally. After reviewing successful red-blue efforts across the country, we'll then focus our time brainstorming ways to expand liberal-conservative dialogue in Utah. As part of this discussion, participants will be introduced to the Village Square and invited to become founding members of a new chapter starting in Salt Lake City, with Mayor Becker's support.   Dialogue Leader: Jacob Hess is a...

Dialogue Leader:  Dave Biesinger Discussion: Many of history’s greatest innovations are the product of collaboration. It is no surprise, then, that the rise of internet connected technologies coincides with an unprecedented rate of innovation. People are sharing ideas more freely than ever before. Organic communities of thought and practice spring up daily. This very website and the community it supports is a perfect example of how network technologies are fostering human connection. And these connections can be powerful. From forging novel industries, to the popularization of forgotten philosophies; information flows through our connected cultures like a river. Ideas from diverse spheres of influence ripple through the world largely uninhibited, and sometimes come crashing together to form poetic synthesis. This month, we’ll take a look at network embeddedness, or the degree to which we are enmeshed in social circles. Embedded networks play a critical role in determin...

Dialogue Leader:  Carl Youngblood Discussion: Transhumanism  is an international cultural and intellectual movement focused on observing the ways that technology is changing the human condition and anticipating the potential challenges and opportunities presented by these changes. Prominent venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, scientists and philosophers identify as transhumanists or share transhumanist sympathies, including Kevin Kelly, Doug Rushkoff, Ray Kurzweil, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Peter Diamandis, Nick Bostrom, and Aubrey de Grey. Perhaps transhumanism's greatest contribution is Ray Kurzweil's  law of accelerating returns , which demonstrates that technological innovation has generally followed an exponential rate of progress. This exponential growth is unintuitive to humans, resulting in some surprising predictions, including innovations in genetics, nanotechnology and robotics that transhumanists claim will lead to radically enhanced human capabilities,...

Dialogue Leader: Pat Bagley Thanks to Doug Smith from our group for suggesting Pat and helping arrange his happy appearance.   THE DISCUSSION: Humor helps us look at and understand important issues in ways we may not otherwise. Whether political, religious, or ethic, humor helps shape our culture. And editorial cartoons are some of the most succinct, poignant and powerful forms of humor.  ABOUT PAT: Pat Bagley has been the editorial cartoonist for The Salt Lake Tribune for over 34 years. He is syndicated and his cartoons appear in over 800 newspapers. He attended BYU and served a mission to Bolivia. Today he describes himself today as "Mormon Emeritus." STUFF TO CHEW ON: Pat didn't give me anything to post so below is what I dug up. Thanks a lot Pat! Comedy and Democracy:  The Role of Humor in Social Justice Drawing on Humor for Change Anatomy of a New Yorker Cartoon Some of Pat's cartoons  About Pat

Dialogue Leader:  Britta Nelson   Our own Kathryn Peterson arranged for this topic and speaker. Thanks Kat! There are few things in life that effect us more in the present and future than what we eat.  THE DISCUSSION: No matter how you dice it, chop it, chew it or bite it, the fact remains: your relationship to food has been the longest one you’ve actually been able to sustain. But that’s the thing: what does sustaining your relationship with food mean?  Britta Nelson, a certified health and wellness coach, delves into personal territory as she explores the many ways we relate to food — the thing that sustains us and brings some of our richest, most delicious pleasures. She’ll also share how to get the biggest bang for your nutritional buck, including how to make time for Vitamin P(leasure), Vitamin A(wareness) and Vitamin O(xygen), which can foster a healthier relationship to food, sans therapist. ABOUT BRITTA: Growing up, I watched my health-n...

Dialogue Leaders:  Allison Pond and Matt Brown I am delighted that Allison and Matt, two of our own esteemed and appreciated Think Again members will be presenting on this extremely important topic. Don't miss it! Allison Pond  is the editor of the Deseret News National Edition. She previously worked for the Pew Research Center on its religion and politics project, including studies of young people and religion, Mormons in the U.S. and evangelical leaders worldwide. She earned a BA in journalism from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University. Matt Brown  is an editor at the Deseret News, where he has worked for more than 20 years as a reporter and editor. He currently edits for the Deseret News National Edition, and previously wrote about faith — how it is lived, how it intersects with society and how current trends affect religious practice — and served as a managing editor in Deseret M...

Discussion Leader: Camille Thorpe Please take note of the date and time and dinner:  Thursday, May 22, 6:30 pm. Potluck Dinner I apologize this notice is coming out so late. Due to a conflict our speaker for May had to cancel. When I reached out to some members of our group—like Kat, Marcus, and Camille—they came forward with some wonderful possibilities and suggestions. Thank you! It worked out that Camille could present this month. I moved the date partly to accommodate her and partly for other reasons.  Camille offered to lead a discussion on gratitude. In conjunction she had a brilliant idea: a potluck of gratitude for Mark and Elizabeth for hosting our groups so warmly and faithfully each month—that's nearly every other week for 52 weeks out of the year. And serving us the best free gelato this side of the universe every time. Now there's something to be grateful for. Camille is intelligent, articulate, artistic, and has learned from personal experien...