English Debate Club : Living with prolonged darkness

Debate topic for December 23

Living with (prolonged) darkness

In Scandinavian culture - and other cultures at high latitudes, darkness is not only something to endure, but also something to live with for a long period. Sometimes, it is even valued. During the long winter months, when daylight is scarce, the absence of light creates a unique space for slowing down. Some think the darkness aura fits especially well with the Christmas-holiday celebrations, which paradoxically might not mean slowing down.

Prolonged darkness invites reflection rather than constant action, storytelling rather than production, and community connection rather than individual performance. It offers the mind a rare opportunity to rest, recover from stress, and shift away from the pressure of productivity.

At the same time, darkness carries powerful symbolic meanings; ranging from creativity and imagination to fear, uncertainty, and darker cultural imagery. It might also have negative effects on health, in vitamin D decifits and sheer psychologically.

This year's final discussion can explore how living with darkness shapes ways of thinking, creating, communicating, and simply being, and asks whether darkness, often seen as something negative, might also hold an overlooked value in modern life.

at 18.00 Swedish time, log onto https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83063138691
Meeting ID: 830 6313 8691
Passcode: EngDebate

The debate will begin about 18:05 or when most have gathered. The moderator, Tobias, reads the topic for the group, combined with related questions that might get us thinking. Then we put our names in the chat if we want to speak, and he calls on us (either in turn or else if someone has not spoken, he gives them priority).