Manhattan Lectures & Conversations

A Free Thinker Institute Collaborative Brainstorming Event
What would the world look like if we could make it dramatically better—not just for ourselves, but for humanity and future generations?
At this interactive Free Thinker Institute event, we'll put our collective imagination and critical thinking skills to work, brainstorming bold, exciting, ambitious long-term goals for the world.
But there's a catch: "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"
It's easy to imagine a better world. It's harder to think through the unintended consequences of getting exactly what we want.
Together, we'll explore questions like:

• What extraordinary achievements should humanity aspire to over the next 50, 100, or even 1,000 years?
• What would a truly flourishing civilization look like?
• How might we eliminate suffering, expand opportunity, strengthen communities, or unlock human potential?
• What seemingly impossible goals might become achievable through science, technology, cooperation, and creative thinking?
• If we actually achieved our goals, what unintended consequences might follow?
• How can we make sure our vision of a better world really is better for everyone?

This isn't a debate about what's politically feasible today. It's an invitation to think beyond conventional limitations, challenge assumptions, build on each other's ideas, and imagine futures worth striving for.
We'll practice the art of dreaming big while thinking critically—because the most worthwhile goals deserve both extraordinary ambition and extraordinary care.
Come curious. Come imaginative. Come ready to challenge your own thinking. Together, let's envision a future worth creating!
This event kicks off an exciting series in which we'll first envision the future we want to create, then identify the obstacles and problems standing in our way, and finally collaborate on innovative solutions to overcome those challenges and turn our boldest aspirations into reality!

Here’s our legal notice:

Recording and Media Release Notice

For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to record, use, reproduce, edit, modify, publish, distribute, display, transmit, and otherwise exploit any and all Zoom recordings, photographs, audio recordings, screenshots, and other media captured during the event, in whole or in part, for trade, advertising, educational, promotional, commercial, or any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereafter developed. I further grant Free Thinker Institute the right to alter, edit, combine, crop, or otherwise modify such recordings without restriction.

I hereby release and discharge Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to such recordings and uses.

Except as expressly authorized in writing by Free Thinker Institute, attendees may not record, copy, reproduce, distribute, rebroadcast, livestream, transmit, publish, display, excerpt, edit, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit any portion of the event or its recordings. Unauthorized recording, publication, posting, sharing, or redistribution of any portion of the event, including on YouTube, social media platforms, websites, podcasts, or other media channels, is strictly prohibited and may constitute copyright infringement and a violation of these event terms. Free Thinker Institute reserves all rights and remedies available under applicable law, including the right to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, statutory damages, attorneys' fees where permitted, and any other available legal or equitable remedies.

By attending the event, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.

A Free Thinker Institute Collaborative Brainstorming Event

We've dreamed big about the world we want to create. Now comes the harder question: What's stopping us from getting there?
In the second event of our Free Thinker Institute series on shaping humanity's future, we'll turn our collective curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking toward identifying the biggest problems and obstacles preventing us from achieving our most ambitious goals.

Whether our aspirations involve ending poverty, advancing human flourishing, improving education, achieving peace, protecting the planet, or unlocking humanity's full potential, understanding what's holding us back is essential to making meaningful progress.

Together, we'll explore questions like:

• What are the biggest obstacles preventing humanity from achieving our most exciting long-term goals?
• Which challenges are technological, economic, political, cultural, psychological, or simply a consequence of human nature?
• What underlying problems are creating or perpetuating the obstacles we see?
• Are some of our biggest barriers actually assumptions we've never thought to challenge?
• Where do competing interests, misaligned incentives, or unintended consequences stand in the way of

In our next event, we'll begin exploring how we can achieve the first of the Free Thinker Institute's five ambitious goals: sharing the FTI's six intentions with the world and building majority agreement around them globally. We'll brainstorm creative, practical strategies for inspiring people across cultures, communities, and nations to understand, discuss, and embrace these intentions—laying the foundation for a better future for all humanity.
Here’s our legal notice:

Recording and Media Release Notice

For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to record, use, reproduce, edit, modify, publish, distribute, display, transmit, and otherwise exploit any and all Zoom recordings, photographs, audio recordings, screenshots, and other media captured during the event, in whole or in part, for trade, advertising, educational, promotional, commercial, or any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereafter developed. I further grant Free Thinker Institute the right to alter, edit, combine, crop, or otherwise modify such recordings without restriction.

I hereby release and discharge Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to such recordings and uses.

Except as expressly authorized in writing by Free Thinker Institute, attendees may not record, copy, reproduce, distribute, rebroadcast, livestream, transmit, publish, display, excerpt, edit, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit any portion of the event or its recordings. Unauthorized recording, publication, posting, sharing, or redistribution of any portion of the event, including on YouTube, social media platforms, websites, podcasts, or other media channels, is strictly prohibited and may constitute copyright infringement and a violation of these event terms. Free Thinker Institute reserves all rights and remedies available under applicable law, including the right to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, statutory damages, attorneys' fees where permitted, and any other available legal or equitable remedies.

By attending the event, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.

A Free Thinker Institute Collaborative Brainstorming Event

What if people around the world could agree on a shared understanding of what constitutes good and bad behavior—not based on religion, politics, nationality, or ideology, but on principles that promote human flourishing, mutual respect, and a better world for everyone?

The Free Thinker Institute has identified six intentions designed to help guide our actions and decisions toward creating a better future. Our first ambitious goal is to share these intentions globally and build majority agreement around them.

But how do we reach billions of people with different cultures, beliefs, experiences, and values? And how do we build genuine agreement without imposing our own perspectives on others?

At this interactive event, we'll collaborate to develop bold, innovative strategies for making this vision a reality.

Together, we'll explore questions like:

• Universal values: What makes a behavior good or bad? Can we establish common principles that people across cultures and belief systems can embrace?
• Global outreach: How can we introduce the six intentions to billions of people through education, technology, media, community organizations, and grassroots movements?
• Building consensus: How do we encourage open-minded discussion, constructive disagreement, and voluntary agreement rather than simply persuading people to accept our views?
• Cultural differences: How can we respect different traditions and perspectives while finding meaningful common ground?
• Practical application: How can we help people apply these intentions in their everyday decisions, relationships, institutions, and communities?
• Measuring progress: How would we determine whether a majority of humanity understands and agrees with the intentions, and whether that agreement is actually improving behavior?
• Unexpected consequences: Could even well-intentioned efforts to establish shared ethical principles create unintended problems? How can we avoid them?

Our goal isn't to eliminate disagreement or tell the world what to think. It's to discover what we can agree on through reason, evidence, empathy, and open dialogue.

We'll challenge assumptions, build on each other's ideas, and brainstorm approaches that could scale globally. We'll consider everything from educational initiatives and social movements to creative uses of technology and international partnerships.

Most importantly, we'll ask ourselves: What would it take for billions of people to voluntarily embrace a shared foundation for treating one another better?

This is the first of the Free Thinker Institute's five ambitious goals, and the beginning of our collaborative exploration of how to turn humanity's boldest aspirations into reality.

Come curious. Come open-minded. Come ready to think big. Together, let's explore how we can create a world where doing good becomes a shared global aspiration!

In our next event, we'll explore another of FTI's five ambitious goals: Increasing Positive Relationships. In a world where loneliness and a lack of meaningful friendships affect so many people, we'll brainstorm innovative ways to help everyone build stronger, deeper, more positive relationships—because meaningful human connection is essential to happiness, well-being, and a flourishing society.

Here’s our legal notice:

Recording and Media Release Notice

For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to record, use, reproduce, edit, modify, publish, distribute, display, transmit, and otherwise exploit any and all Zoom recordings, photographs, audio recordings, screenshots, and other media captured during the event, in whole or in part, for trade, advertising, educational, promotional, commercial, or any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereafter developed. I further grant Free Thinker Institute the right to alter, edit, combine, crop, or otherwise modify such recordings without restriction.

I hereby release and discharge Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to such recordings and uses.

Except as expressly authorized in writing by Free Thinker Institute, attendees may not record, copy, reproduce, distribute, rebroadcast, livestream, transmit, publish, display, excerpt, edit, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit any portion of the event or its recordings. Unauthorized recording, publication, posting, sharing, or redistribution of any portion of the event, including on YouTube, social media platforms, websites, podcasts, or other media channels, is strictly prohibited and may constitute copyright infringement and a violation of these event terms. Free Thinker Institute reserves all rights and remedies available under applicable law, including the right to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, statutory damages, attorneys' fees where permitted, and any other available legal or equitable remedies.

By attending the event, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.