Socrates Cafe

Antimaster · Post by **Antimaster** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:58 am

I've been recently reading the book 'Socrates Cafe' and thinking this maybe an interesting Burning Man activity. Anybody out there interested? Is there anybody experienced with facilitating this?

j_cavera · Post by **j_cavera** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 9:38 am

Explain please, for those of us who haven't read it.

- Jim

Here and there · Post by **Here and there** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:59 am

Antimaster wrote:I've been recently reading the book 'Socrates Cafe' and thinking this maybe an interesting Burning Man activity.

Am I correct in assuming that you are thinking of creating something like the cafes described on this page?

Socrates CafÃ© are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the central theme of Socratizing; the idea that we learn more when we question and question with others. It all started a decade ago when Christopher Phillips, then a freelance writer asked himself what he could do that would in some modest way further the deeds of those noble souls who had come before him and, as William James put it, â€œsuffered and laid down their livesâ€

Roberto Dobbisano · Post by **Roberto Dobbisano** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:14 am

In effect, the very thing on which you'd base your event - reason - has been linked in the minds of the truest of the true believers with Hitler. The result of that is predictable - anti-intellectualism intensified to the point of becoming a form of hatemongering, in many cases. Do you want to deal with that, and if so - why?

too late.

now hand me those double stacks, i have some empathizing to do all over some hippy girls face.

j_cavera · Post by **j_cavera** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:46 am

Socrates CafÃ© are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the central theme of Socratizing; the idea that we learn more when we question and question with others.

I think that Burning Man is a perfect place for such a thing. Every year that I've been (4 now), I've made it a point to hit up a few of the secheduled seminars, lectures, topical discussion groups or whatever you want to call 'em.

Certainly, not popular for the majority of burners, but the ones that I went to were very well attended. Topics in the past have included post-humanism, sex, economics, quantum mechanics, architecture, sex, ecology, mathematics, sex and just about anything else that someone wants to put in the schedule (and of course, sex).

So don't think about it -- just set it up and see what happens.

- Jim

j_cavera · Post by **j_cavera** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:52 am

And thread Godwin'd in three posts? At least give it a fighting chance!

- JIm

Antimaster · Post by **Antimaster** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:50 am

Just an idea, if nobody is interested that's fine with me. I'd perhaps mistakenly thought that amongst the horde of people that there was a great deal of intelligence and that this activity could be one that some may find of interest. I think a lot of people participate that are quite introspective and searching for something greater than drugs or a rave.

Maybe, based upon one of the responses, I'm expecting too much.

I've never participated in one but will look for a local group. If anybody is interested then perhaps the thread will be kept alive.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:00 pm

Maybe, based upon one of the responses, I'm expecting too much.

i thought some of them were well informed, intelligent comments.

perhaps you should listen more and talk less, huh?

or maybe, responses that you DON'T like get denigrated to the moop heap of 'pshaw', because you've got thin skin and can't take some good natured e-ribbing.

Pshaw.

lonestoner916 · Post by **lonestoner916** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:10 pm

Antimaster wrote:Just an idea, if nobody is interested that's fine with me. I'd perhaps mistakenly thought that amongst the horde of people that there was a great deal of intelligence and that this activity could be one that some may find of interest. I think a lot of people participate that are quite introspective and searching for something greater than drugs or a rave.

Maybe, based upon one of the responses, I'm expecting too much.

I've never participated in one but will look for a local group. If anybody is interested then perhaps the thread will be kept alive.

Don't listen to the naysayers, there is plenty of intelligent debate and/or philosiphizing to be found in BRC, it's just that it's often sandwiched between binge drinking and gratuitous nudity. I think that the Socrates Cafe would be often abused, but when it was used correctly it would be REALLY good! DO IT!

Here and there · Post by **Here and there** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:16 pm

Simon of the Playa wrote:perhaps you should listen more and talk less, huh?

Or perhaps that's exactly what he did, after I tried to talk him out of pursuing this concept, in the third post. I think that you were a little too eager to go on the attack, Simon.

Antimaster wrote:I think a lot of people participate that are quite introspective and searching for something greater than drugs or a rave.

Maybe, based upon one of the responses, I'm expecting too much.

The second sentence is a fair summary of my closing comments.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:33 pm

in all honesty and east coast nut busting aside, i think if you want to do it, try it. Do the research, make the mistakes, evolve as you learn, and who the hell knows, depending on circumstance and personalities involved you could have one of the most inspiring, almost sacred conversations in the middle of a fucking dust storm from hell.

and lighten up, chuck...Socrates would want you to.

Dont let any Nay-Sayers or Yay-Sayers Sway your Way.

its all up to you, radical self reliance, and Moxie.

(new hot word on the e-playa, moxie, rhymes with Biloxi)

So Build it, They will come and Argue...it'll be just like here, but dustier.
Good Luck, and remember, if an etard can ruin your discussion, well, it wouldn't have held up to the ages anyway.

lambert13 · Post by **lambert13** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:19 am

I could see myself being interested in something like this. But, at times I have the attention span of a puppy that got into a bag of chocolate. A plume of fire in the distance might break my train of thought.

Being a drug/drink free person I look for ways to keep myself occupied in a healthy way. Not that people who indulge are any better/worse/different than myself. I just try to come up with ways to prevent myself from being sucked back in.

Sitting around inside a tent in deep conversation and thought with some like minded people could be right up my alley. Would I seek it out? Possibly. Would I take a look if I were walking by? Absolutely.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:22 am

seems a good idea, to me.
I'm sure it'd depend on the participants, at any given moment......

a tent full of hippies, discussing patchouli and Lennin might be tough on me......

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:10 pm

Antimaster wrote: I'd perhaps mistakenly thought that amongst the horde of people that there was a great deal of intelligence and that this activity could be one that some may find of interest. I think a lot of people participate that are quite introspective and searching for something greater than drugs or a rave.

This daring move by the rookie opens up a window of keen insight into his passions. But will it sway any of the jaded oldsters, or simply cause them to go on? Only the next round of play will tell.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:14 pm

[quote="wikipedia"][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates_Cafe]Socrates CafÃ© are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the Socratic Method. The groups model their discussions from the book of the same name by Christopher Phillips.Today, there are over 400 ongoing gatherings around the globe coordinated by hundreds of volunteers who share the common goal of making a more inclusive world.
Christopher Phillips founded the non-profit organization Society for Philosophical Inquiry to further the deeds behind the Socrates CafÃ© movement, and to organize and assist people to start their own Socrates CafÃ©.

* 1 History
* 2 Socratic Method
* 3 Criticism
* 4 Notes
* 5 External links

History

The idea behind the Socrates CafÃ© is that we learn more when we question and question with others. It all started a decade ago when Christopher Phillips, then a freelance writer asked himself what he could do that would in some modest way further the deeds of those noble souls who had come before him and, as William James put it, â€œsuffered and laid down their livesâ€

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:34 pm

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
-Socrates

j_cavera · Post by **j_cavera** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:46 pm

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.

"Dude! That's us!"
"Yeah!"

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:33 pm

Playa-friendly robes to boot!

Epicurus · Post by **Epicurus** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:04 pm

i totally dig this idea. if you don't do it, i might. hell, i might do it either way.

knowmad · Post by **knowmad** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:27 pm

do it but ya gota throw a toga party!

Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Tits Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga Toga!Toga!Toga

Jest sayin.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:02 pm

The key, I think, is in inviting the right people.

Finnegan · Post by **Finnegan** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:24 pm

Add a flame thrower, and I think you have a winner.

curiousgnate · Post by **curiousgnate** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:08 pm

I think this is a great idea, i also agree that early (before noon) timing would be best. I would say i will be there, but who knows where I will be or what I will be doing at any given moment. I could be sleeping or sticking a 14 inch dildo up a bears ass while he licks nutella out of a hairy ass. It would be fun/interesting though!

veleda · Post by **veleda** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:02 pm

I also think this is a great idea..the key is location location and some awesome facilitators..

Maybe make a small grove of shady fake olive trees and get some benches..something to draw people in..

Finnegan · Post by **Finnegan** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:54 pm

Refreshing hemlock sun tea?

littleflower · Post by **littleflower** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:11 am

who gets to be socrates?

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:13 am

There could be a competition.

Socrates was a potter.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:54 pm

littleflower wrote:who gets to be socrates?

me, me, pick me........

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:17 pm

I'm on board with the idea but only if you're serving decaf hemlock at Center Camp.

ThePaperLeaf · Post by **ThePaperLeaf** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:59 am

what makes BM great is that not all ideas need to be for the majority. Good grief, what we DON'T need is more alcohol, drugs, & techno music. I've been sporatically part of a Socrates group at Lake Tahoe. Died off, but it's a problem up here with most folks up this ways being part-timers.

I think my "geek" camp would participate in this. We don't advertise it, but Shack of Sit in Snowflake Village (on Esplanade @10:00 in 2009), is the Mensa Camp. If you're somewhat near us, you could get a group of us. Or join us for morning coffee.
"Sam"

Socrates Cafe

Socrates Cafe

Re: Socrates Cafe

Just an idea

Re: Just an idea

Re: Just an idea

Drawing a crowd.

a fine idea