Conversations New York

Start time: 6:30 pm.

And as usual, please bring a simple question for submission for possible discussion.

Please frame the question in a simple interrogative statement.

If/when circumstances permit, we usually discuss two questions.

We follow the Christopher Phillips format:
1. All attendees will submit ONE simple question. Keep it simple (ie: what is love?)
2. Each attendee will have 2-3 minutes to explain their respective question, if they want. Be prepared to respond to any possible points of clarity from other attendees.
3. Round ONE: attendees vote for any question they want to discuss. Then, Jorge will tabulate the votes
4. Round TWO: top 2-3 questions are voted upon again. This round, attendees can ONLY VOTE for ONE QUESTION.
5. Discuss "winning question."
Historically, we have discussed top two questions, when circumstances permit.

Jorge will facilitate the discussion/conversation.

Reminders:
Be open-minded, bring your curiosity. It's about Discovery.
Always be Respectful and open to the perspective of others. And be concise.

NOTE: If and when possible, please donate to help defray the annual fees from Meetup.com. Suggested amount ~$15-$20 once a year.

Zelle to 917 613.9736. Thank you.

always with gratitude,
Jorge

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!

We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.

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 everyone in the world had the opportunity to build deep, meaningful friendships, supportive communities, and positive relationships that enrich their lives?
Despite being more technologically connected than ever, many people struggle with loneliness, isolation, and a lack of meaningful friendships. We have countless ways to communicate, yet genuine human connection can still be surprisingly difficult to find.
What if we could change that—not just for a few people, but for humanity?
At this interactive Free Thinker Institute event, we'll explore the second of FTI's five ambitious goals: Increasing Positive Relationships.
Our vision is a world where everyone has opportunities to develop fulfilling friendships, meaningful connections, and supportive relationships. Because in a world short on friendship, connection is a form of healing.
But achieving this vision requires more than simply encouraging people to socialize. We need to understand what makes relationships meaningful, what prevents people from forming them, and how we can systematically create more opportunities for positive human connection.
Together, we'll brainstorm questions like:

• The friendship challenge: Why do so many people struggle to form and maintain meaningful friendships, even when surrounded by others?

• What makes relationships positive? How do trust, kindness, empathy, shared experiences, reciprocity, and mutual support contribute to lasting relationships?

• Removing obstacles: What social, psychological, cultural, and logistical barriers prevent people from developing stronger connections?

• Technology for connection: How can we use technology and AI to foster genuine real-world friendships rather than superficial online interactions?

• Building communities: How can we help neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and organizations become places where meaningful relationships flourish?

• Connecting across differences: How can we foster friendships among people of different backgrounds, generations, beliefs, and perspectives?

• Thinking globally: What innovative, scalable approaches could help hundreds of millions—or even billions—of people build more positive relationships?

• Measuring success: How can we determine whether our efforts are actually improving the quality and depth of human relationships rather than simply increasing the number of connections?

This isn't just about solving loneliness. It's about imagining a world in which meaningful connection becomes easier, more natural, and more accessible to everyone.
We'll challenge conventional assumptions, share our own experiences, learn from one another, and collaboratively develop ambitious ideas that could transform how humanity connects.
And we'll think critically about unintended consequences. Could efforts to increase connection inadvertently create dependency, undermine authentic friendships, or replace quality with quantity? How do we ensure our solutions genuinely improve people's lives?
Our goal is not simply to imagine a friendlier world, but to identify practical, innovative ways to help create one.
Come ready to share your ideas, challenge assumptions, and think ambitiously about what humanity could accomplish if we made positive relationships a global priority.
Because a better world isn't just one where people live longer or have more—it's one where people feel genuinely connected, valued, supported, and loved.

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.