What we’re about
Convivial & Challenging Discussions /the Wendell Berry and Ivan Illich SCHOOL FOR CONVIVIALITY
A social group for the discussion and sharing of ideas and sentiments on books, films, art, science, politics, religion, race, love and sexuality, healing, food, world travel, languages and any other topics of interest which may connect us with some passion for living. We don't shy away from difficult conversations. In our discussions, we are kind towards all -- including those not present.
• "In larger things we are convivial; what causes trouble is the trivial" ~Richard Armour
• "If time, so fleeting, must like humans die, let it be filled with good food and good talk, and then embalmed in the perfumes of conviviality." ~MFK Fisher
• "Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, or were tender with you, or stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you and disputed passage with you?" ~Walt Whitman
• "After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality and so on -- have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear -- what remains? Nature remains." ~Walt Whitman
• "Healing is impossible in loneliness, it is the opposite of loneliness. Conviviality is healing. To be healed we must come with all the other creatures to the feast of Creation." ~Wendell Berry
• "What are the odds so long as the fire of the soul is kindled at the taper of conviviality and the wing of friendship never molts a feather?" ~Charles Dickens
We have a common-sense (and common sense) policy concerning our Meetup Profiles for the group.
1. Your User Name should be the first name you will go by among us -- and maybe something more like a last name or a last name initial to distinguish you from possible namesakes.
2. Your Profile Photo should be as close to a headshot as possible -- in case of doubt, think driver's licence or ID badge for work. (Or no picture at all if you are concerned about your online privacy.)
As this policy might be stricter than that of other Meetup groups you also belong to, creating a separate Meetup account -- attached to a separate email account of yours -- might be necessary. We apologize for the possible inconvenience.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- 12p Sat. Dec. 7: BROTHERS KARAMAZOV [first half] discussion, at our CC'sCC's Coffee House, New Orleans, LA
Join us Saturday, December 7th, noon to 1:45p at CC's Coffee on Esplanade Ave. (between North Broad and City Park). We will be in their community room -- to the right, before the bathrooms, as you walk in. Come and leave anytime.
We'll discuss the first half (Parts I and II of four) of the 1880 novel "THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV" by Fyodor Dostoevsky. (We'll then discuss the entirety of the novel on Saturday January 4th -- you can RSVP separately for that discussion.)
About 400 pages of reading this time. No specific translation is recommended.
Acclaimed as one of the supreme achievements in world literature, The Brothers Karamazov is a passionate philosophical novel set in 19th-century Russia that discusses questions of God, free will, and morality. It has also been described as a theological drama dealing with problems of faith, doubt, and reason in the context of a modernizing Russia. [Wikipedia]
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~~ Used copies of the book at Bookfinder.com for under $6 after shipping.
~~ Free audiobook versions on Youtube.com .
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If you are coming, you must RSVP. No drop-ins. No bringing guests. Do change your RSVP to NO if you end up not coming. As for all attendees, it is expected that you have finished the reading assignment.
For more info, contact Guy Henoumont anytime at 504-460-9049 or at guyheno@gmail.com . - 12p Sat. Jan. 4: BROTHERS KARAMAZOV discussion (focus on 2nd half), at our CC'sCC's Coffee House, New Orleans, LA
Join us Saturday, January 4th, noon to 1:45p at CC's Coffee on Esplanade Ave. (between North Broad and City Park). We will be in their community room -- to the right, before the bathrooms, as you walk in. Come and leave anytime.
We'll discuss the totality of the 1880 novel "THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV" by Fyodor Dostoevsky -- with a focus on the second half (Parts III and IV). (We're also meeting December 7 to discuss the first half of the novel [Parts I and II]. You may RSVP separately for that.) About 500 pages for the second half (900 pages altogether). No specific translation is recommended.
Acclaimed as one of the supreme achievements in world literature, The Brothers Karamazov is a passionate philosophical novel set in 19th-century Russia that discusses questions of God, free will, and morality. It has also been described as a theological drama dealing with problems of faith, doubt, and reason in the context of a modernizing Russia. [Wikipedia]
******
~~ Used copies of the book at Bookfinder.com for under $6 after shipping.
~~ Free audiobook versions on Youtube.com .
******
If you are coming, you must RSVP. No drop-ins. No bringing guests. Do change your RSVP to NO if you end up not coming. As for all attendees, it is expected that you have finished the reading assignment.
For more info, contact Guy Henoumont anytime at 504-460-9049 or at guyheno@gmail.com .