The Great Conversation is an open public forum supporting a process that allows us all a safe place to speak and to listen and be listened to with respect. The process that occurs during the dialogue organically dissolves the destructive illusion of separateness that divides and dis-empowers us. It defuses anger and judgment and hate. It opens the doors to understanding, cooperation, collaboration, and conflict resolution. It's a place to share and study our perceptions and the perceptions of others with rational clarity. It's a place to learn about and reflect upon our own and upon differing views. We are passionate yet respectful. We are engaged and agree or disagree openly, yet with dignity and mature civility.
In this process we find that beneath the surface differences, is a voice common to all people about the things that matter to us universally. Through honoring the views of each individual, we seek, we re-discover and we honor the common ground shared by everyone in our small community, and the broader community of humankind.
The Great Conversation is not a battlefield, or a combat zone where words are weapons used to attack or intimidate. The goal is not to make one or another view right or wrong, good or bad. There's no shouting down, bullying or ganging-up on people we disagree with. This is not a competition, it's a conversation. If we hope to create sanity in our culture and in our world, it's a very necessary conversation.
Fortunately, it's a lot of fun too.
The Rules:
- There is no allowance for violence or the threat of violence - either by word, deed, or gesture - direct or indirect - expressed or implied.
- There is no allowance for hate speech, insults, insulting gestures or other verbal disrespect - direct or indirect - expressed or implied - toward individuals or groups, based upon appearance, age, religious affiliation, gender, ethnicity, sexual or political orientation etc.
- Anyone in violation of these rules will be asked to leave the circle immediately.
