Civilized Conversation of San Diego

More details to follow. The Supreme Court session currently underway and due to end in late June is yet another one of earth-shaking importance.

In addition to some huge issues of vital import to Right, Left, and regular Amerians, we have cases that will help Donald Trump go on trial or escape justice for his behaviors.

Anyway, I wanted to get this meeting announced ASAP. I typically give an intro of what is at stake and the various major cases. I'm no lawyer, but I have some built up a fair amount of experience on some of these subjects. We also have John M., Scott, maybe Linda N. if she can come back, and other people that have niche knowledge or just plain more knowledge than me.

Background, and a few background readings, to follow.

This one is a change in the planned schedule. The planned topic of whether the U.S. system of government has grown too centered on the single figure of the president is a great topic, IMO. Yet until it becomes clearer whether we are about to become an elected dictatorship, it seems premature. Closer to the election, we can do something related to this idea. A lot of Trump power grab would be done using inherent emergency and other powers that have accrued to POTUS over the decades, anyway. To be continued.

For this week instead, John M. suggested we return to one of our country's seemingly most intractable problems that has seen many new efforts at improving it: Homelessness. The unhoused population continues to grow, especially in big cities like ours where housing grows ever more unaffordable. As John will explain, efforts are underway both to control its spread and to actually help unhoused Americans - sometimes even (gasp) both. As we have discussed before, many of the unhoused need a lot of sustained and well-coordinated (and sometimes expensive) help to break the cycle. Others need much less help but still are not getting it.

More details to follow, and some optional background readings.

Oh, and remember to sign up for Civilized Conversation's Spring Sun and Fun Potluck Party on Saturday May 18th. The event will be posted shortly. As in past years it will be at Nick's house on his gorgeous backyard deck, 3:30pm - 5:30pm. Background readings prohibited.

All work and no play, etc. With the weather turning nice and politics about to turn even darker and, um, less nice, let's ignore the latter for an evening of pure fun and socializing at Civilized Conversation's annual Spring Sun and Fun outdoor potluck party at Nick's place!

When: Saturday, May 18th, 3:30 - 6:30 or so.

Where: Nick's house, address and directions to be emailed to attendees a few days before the event. But note, it is in the hills above Snapdragon (formerly Jack Murphy) stadium in mission valley. Nick's home is large and beautiful, and the party will mostly be held on his large, wooden deck overlooking a pretty little canyon.

Who: Up to 30 people, CivCon members and up to one guest each.

What: Bring a dish for potluck. One dish per guest or couple. A few people please sign up to bring drinks. Please use the comments section below to say what dish you are bringing, so we don't end up with all desserts or 30 dozen chicken wings or something.

What, II: Feel free to bring a board game or card game to play. Maybe a jacket, too, if it turns cool outside.

Several books already have been penned arguing that the surveillance society we have created for ourselves - that as we speak is being wedded to artificial intelligence - will be the slow death of democracy as we know it. Technology could make self-government so much better. But could it outstrip our ability to govern ourselves, or even our desire to care if we do?

The arguments that modern technology like AI is not compatible with democracy are both complicated and simple at their core. Basically, too much power over too many people in too few hands, with too much of the power both hidden from us and automated out of the hands of our "leaders." It isn't just in China. AI systems that do the authoritarian analyses and decision making are being sold all over the world. That few of us can see it happening is part of the strategy. That many of us might not even value democracy enough to care may be a poisonous byproduct of the style of politics that now infests us, or it may and u being a result of learned political helplessness.

Anyway, one thing about democracy is that it has been proven more resilient (usually) than pessimists give it credit for. Maybe AI could actually make govt better and more responsive!

Look back here for a few optional but helpful background readings the week before the 5/20 mtg.