I’ve always loved the concept of “The Great Conversation.”
Coined in the 1950’s by Robert Maynard Hutchins and Mortimer Adler, “the concept describes how thinkers throughout history reference, build upon, and respond to the ideas of their predecessors.”
Quite unfortunately, however, it’s become increasingly difficult (impossible?) to dialogue with some folks about some things. They simply won’t “go there”. Whether it’s a mistrust of me specifically or just flat out refusal to engage in general, I don’t know, but I gotta do something with all this vacuous inactivity, and words seem to be pretty much all I’ve got to offer at present.
My partner Greg has a unique skill set for this unprecedented time. He taught American History for 34 years: he knows some stuff. And since I’m no longer content with his valuable knowledge of law, politics, and the history of our country being wasted on just me, because I’m seeking solace, clarity, solidarity, truth and justice for all, and because we consume our share of news, books, articles, podcasts, etc., spanning from the current to the historic, the factual to the more esoteric, we thought we’d share some of what we’re learning, talking about, and wrestling with. Maybe it’ll be helpful to others who’re also trying to make sense of things, and who may not have the time, bandwidth, or access to same said sources. Like one of our favorite thinkers, Dan Miller from “Straight White American Jesus,” often says, we’re “reading it so you don’t have to.” (Though of course READ IT if you can!)
It’s easy to chalk up differences as “different value systems,” but I’d like to think that at the end of the day, were we to strip away all the extras, that being human, we’re all – or ought be – interested in the concerns of all the other humans and the world and existence we share. In other words, I’d like to think that “value” is universal, and it’s worth tryna get to.
Greg and I have come to call my wanting to share with the world the goodnesses I’ve found as “throwing sparkles.” Sadly, the sparkles, instead of enlivening and improving the spaces, often feel to be trampled in the mud by those I’d hoped would receive and be better for them.
This is our effort to add our voices – our sparkles – to the world in the belief that each and every one of us has our own to contribute. Discover, use, share what you have, should you feel so led! The world needs all our voices in their respective colors and timbres. Let’s work toward being more evolved, more equal, more universally nourished in all the ways.
Unfortunately too, much of what we’ll be sharing is terrifying. But exposing dark things to the light will hopefully lead to mobilization toward positive change.
Here’s to the Great Conversation in all its worthy-of-perpetuating glory.
wordskeepmesane 