Here we are around Susan’s table with Ian on the phone. Heather is wearing the duck hat, reserved for those who need to “quack” about a concern they have at the moment. I’m wearing the “facilitator’s hat.” Ian’s in the grey box with the light.
Tonight’s conversation was affirming, motivating, and fulfilling. While there’s no way to capture it - especially not while on east coast time - there were some wonderful quotes and concepts that came out of our three and a half hour long conversation.
* “This is about celebrating the power of conversation to change the world.”
* “We want to increase the level of quality conversation about every divide in every community so that democracy can flourish.”
* “A breakdown in conversation is a breakdown in citizenship, which implicates a crisis in democracy and our ability to achieve peace, happiness, and safety.”
* “If people can’t talk to people about what matters most will we never get to the future we want.”
* “What’s the minimal structure that will allow friends, neighbors, and strangers to get together to get small talk to big talk?”
* “This is about the Declaration of Independence. You know, ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ and ‘people are created equal’ - conversation is the great equalizer.”
* “Communication is not just repeating the same message over and over.”
* “We want to increase the level of conversational literacy.”
* “People are yearning for three big things: civil discourse, a chance to be heard; social capital, a sense of belonging; and citizenship, a chance to meaningfully participate in the decisions that impact our daily lives.”
* “This is about a movement.”