Wednesday, November 29, 2006

***IDEA BANK***

This posting will be a living document where we can all add in ideas for meeting topics. I'll start it by listing all the good ideas for meetings that have been discussed to date. Please add yours in by commenting to this post. The Agenda Committee will look here when they choice topics for each meeting.

> modern comedians
> the ritual of apology
> the nature of celebrity in the modern world
> the last book you read - come ready to discuss
> invite in local politicians
> discuss an article or program if interest. Download a podcast of a radio show and listen in advance and come ready to discuss. Possible programs include: Speaking of Faith, This American Life, Living on Earth, Bill O'Rielly (Fox News), etc.
> topics of history: founding fathers, civil war, civil rights, etc
> dirty joke night
> famous people: Thomas Jefferson, Gandhi, MLK Jr, etc.
> how to raise money for charity in a really fun way
> living sustainable - tips
> efforts to help local institutions
> expert led tastings: beer, wine, whiskey, cheese, cigars, chocolate

24 comments:

Jay C said...

Modern American Consumerism.
> what are the roots.
> our wants vs needs.
> Chistmas.
> materialism
> impact on society - environmental/social
> everday choices and changes we can make in our buying habits.

Anonymous said...

our national / global shift from agriculture to industry to tech.

Is print dead? are newspapers dead? Will digital media ever equal the 'quality' of traditional print media? will it ever surpass it? Does the fact that a few companies control huge sections of the internet compare to how a few companies control a vast majority of news outlets?

how can we have our cake and eat it too? Environmental choices that are effective and easy. Small changes that have big effects. ie compact florescent lightbulbs, recycling, intelligent product design, buying local.

with gas prices rising and ethanol tech developing quickly - will we ever get away from having cars that move by burning something?

-ross

Anonymous said...

good idea to help hungry people - Set up a fund drive at UVM during move out. Set up barrels to grab everyone's leftover ramen noodle soup and spaghetti-o's, then donate to food shelf.

Jay C said...

Resolutions/Predicitions for '07:
> personal
> as a society
> culture
> etc

Anonymous said...

we should have a 40 tasting party...

kimberly said...

possible GIS topic: can art hurt people?

Jay C said...

I think Allan mentioned this at the last meeting, but via sasha...
http://www.peaceoneday.org/

Peace One Day (POD) is proud to report that in 2006 there were commitments to Peace Day in 200 countries, including all 192 UN member states, directly involving 27.6 million people. On 21 September 2006 there were life-saving activities by humanitarian groups in southern Sudan and the DRC with immunisation campaigns in a further nine countries worldwide; there were marches, festivals, music events, multi-faith celebrations, sports events, debates, parties, individuals resolving conflict in their own lives and more, all around the world.

The POD film project began in 1999 as the vision of one man, British filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley. In 2001, POD achieved its primary objective. United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/Res/55/282) was unanimously adopted by UN member states, formally establishing an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace, fixed in the global calendar on 21 September. All sectors of society are being asked to honour and celebrate on Peace Day. The vision of the Day extends far beyond the cessation of violent conflict and represents an opportunity for individuals to join in a moment of global unity and take action that creates a sustainable and peaceful world.

Jay C said...

The American prison system is fucked. No politicans touch it because there are "more pressing issues" and they do not want to appear soft on crime. How can it be fixed? Are there models in the world that do work?

Jay C said...

Nelia to tell the European story

Jay C said...

Meet at Ross's house. Have a beer tasting party. Brew a batch of GIS ale.

Jay C said...

US health care system. Compared to other countries. FDA? what do they do? are they objective? Health care system - is it set up to find a solution to your problem?

Jay C said...

Idealization of social democracies?

Jay C said...

How a bill comes a law. Legislation and bueracracy in America.

Jay C said...

Short stories... come ready to discuss.

Jay C said...

Screeing of an Allan Nichols film.

Jay C said...

Guest speakers...

Jay C said...

Global/Cultural/education trends... How will thing change in the future. Futurists?

Jay C said...

Nature of discrimination. Power struggles.

Jay C said...

Film to all watch before hand. Come ready to discuss

Jay C said...

Burlington School system. inequity in elementry schools.

Jay C said...

Oh you're from Vermont. The Vermont brand.

maegen said...

i think we should have a recipe exchange thing. it could be a potluck/recipe swap. i feel as though i had some other brilliant idea, but it's escaping me at the moment. that's all for now.

Marcantonio Rendino said...

Distillates & distillation; history & cultural/societal impact.

Interesting book: A History Of The World In Six Glasses, by Tom Standage.

Jay C said...

so I do not forget...
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/atheism-religion/index.shtml