Active Thinkers For & Against

Talking Points

1. A meal without spice can be pretty bland. A meal that is only spice is a recipe for indigestion. Is there a bigger life message here?

2. My grandmother was fond of 'stirring the possum'. This old Australian idiom refers to mischievously sparking a disagreement or argument, just for the fun of having a (not too serious) fight on an otherwise dull day. I grew up appreciating the value of stirring the possum, but it is often hard to find willing players. What do you think of this?

3. Anglo/Irish Australian culture, and the English themselves have a long and much loved tradition of 'taking the mickey out of' friends, themselves, and often strangers'. This is a form of humorous mockery, NOT vicious, which pretends to challenge the dignity or status of the victim. The person challenged must react with good humour. It is a sort of cultural test. Now many people from Australia's 300 or so other cultures, often don't understand and think they are being attacked. What are the arguments for keeping this custom, or giving it up?

4. It is sometimes said that Heaven must be a very boring place, with everyone sitting around forever singing praises of the Lord. Perfect harmony. Back on earth, what are the human dangers of never ending praise and assumed harmony in organizations, or in human relations generally?

5. There used to be a social rule - maybe there still is - that conversation should avoid topics about religion, politics and money to preserve harmony. I've broken that rule all of my life because I find (respectful) disagreement interesting, and it is why I (Thor) run this meetup. However, most meetup members seem to disagree with me by avoiding a meetup which happily deals with disagreement. What about yourself? Argue your case.

6. 'Playing the Devil's advocate' is to take on the role, often in an organization, of finding all the weaknesses in a new plan or idea or method etc. The principle is that it is better to find these weaknesses before they create a future disaster. Some people have a natural talent for playing Devil's advocate (I do), but they are often unpopular. Bosses like agreement, not challenge. What is your experience with this kind of thing?

7. Live and let live - what are the limits of tolerance?

8. Spectator sport is organized conflict within rules. It is relished by millions. The same people shrink from active debate, even within rules of civility. What is going on? Do our cultural practices with this need updating?

9. In every population, regardless of political systems, some people are instinctively more conservative while some are more progressive. The conservative/progressive difference is aiso affected by life experience. The Australian political system claims to leverage this difference by creating a structured two-party system competing for power. In theory the opposition group can offer constructive and helpful criticism. In practice, opposition political parties now offer a sterile, no-fun, performance of aggression, opposing everything regardless of merit. What's a good solution?