Deep Conversations

Most people have been told from childhood to not judge another person, group or culture on the grounds that they are different, and that tolerance is a virtuous thing, often believing that tolerance will bring a sense of inclusivity, diversity, and harmony.

However, many people dare not venture into the dark realm of tolerance, fearing that they might get labeled as xenophobic, racist, sexist, bigot.

I argue that if stereotypes are true, then it should not be ignored. I believe some people practicing certain values within certain cultures should absolutely be discriminated and not tolerated for sake of retaining one's own culture and people.

In this meeting we will be discussing why tolerance is seen as a cultural ideal and how people are affected negatively without examining the consequences of the dark sides of tolerance.

Questions:
1. Why is tolerance often seen as a good thing?
2. Is it true that tolerance often create an accepting and upbeat atmosphere?
3. Is diversity always a good thing?
4. Are stereotypes true? If so, then what?
5. Is judgment good or bad? Examples of different situations?
6. Should there be some boundaries on tolerance?
7. How do we decide what to and not to tolerate?
8. Is pattern recognition discrimination?
9. When is it ok to discriminate?
10. Can there be healthy discriminations? Examples?
11. What's the moral thing to do when facing an intolerant person, group, or culture?
12. What are some historical and modern examples of tolerance of diversity gone right? (How did it go?)
13. What are examples in history and modern times where tolerance of diversity gone wrong? (How did it go?)
14. Why is tolerating differences considered a virtue?
15. What are some underlying reasons for intolerance on individual and societal level?
16. Is our world more tolerant of differences than before? If yes, how so? If no, why not?
17. Should we trust our gut instincts?
18. How do we determine when to listen to our gut instincts and when to take risks?
19. Are there evolutionary biological reasons for tribalism?
20. Are there evolutionary biological reasons for altruism?
21. What does human nature have to do with tolerance and discrimination?
22. Is it foolhardy to fight against human nature in the hopes of creating a better world through tolerance?
23. What happened to those completely pacifist societies in human history?
24. Can warfare and other types of human conflicts ever be eradicated? If so, how? If not, why?
25. Should highly diverse and immigrated countries liked the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand discriminate who should they let in and who to keep out?
26. Is ICE doing the right things according to the law?
27. How do you feel about open border policies? Modern examples of how it's working out in different parts of the world?
28. Is it true that a country, empire, civilization is only good when you can defend it?
29. Have we gone too far in efforts to instill high levels of intolerance while not analyzing the negative impacts on societies?
30. Why is the notion that we ought to discriminate in certain circumstances so controversial?

Guidelines:

• Hand raises are required.
• There will be a 3 minute timer for every person. However, in this group, I do allow a brief back and fourth interjection from others if it's something that's related to the person who was just speaking. This is a way to prevent the group from feeling too "robotic" in style and get your pressing question asked to the speaker and get the answer right away without waiting all the way back to your turn again.
• Be authentic & civil!
• Please refrain from using Ad Hominem (personal) attacks. Instead, please attack the points from others.
• Severe Ad Hominem such as racist behavior will result in being removed from the meeting.

Zoom link will be posted 10 minutes before the meeting.

Open discussion, bold opinions welcome. No prep needed. Just show up ready to think, argue, or ask “Wait—WTF just happened?”

Tacos optional. Hot takes mandatory.

Is America A Good Country? There are extreme views on America that range from extremely positive to extremely negative. Both sides may have their validity but is it generally good?

Is it fair to compare to other countries? Even if there are vast differences in geography, culture and history?

How do we measure a "good" country? Or bigger picture how do we measure any good society? This is what I call "Core Morality" - Basic, assumed moral truths that are used to logically deduce other moral truths. Examples that come to mind are:
- Happiest people
- Longest living people (healthiest)
- Largest number of people (evolutionary-based)
- Most innovative people (smartest)
- Best human rights

My vote is the best country would be the one with the best human rights, and I believe the US has the best human rights. My hot take: I'm a Christian and believe our country is a Christian Nation, and any Christian Nation is the greatest, and ultimately the least oppressive & invasive. Life and Liberty, per the declaration of independence, is a gift to us endowed by our creator that ought not be violated. Therefore, America in my opinion is a good country.

I love hearing from people I disagree with who can correct my crazy ways and set me straight. What are your thoughts? All views, backgrounds and personalities welcome. Let's just go ahead and try to be nice to each other, m'Kay?

Rule Of Etiquette: The goal is to have a productive free-flowing discussion, while also giving everyone a fair chance to participate accordingly. If you have any trouble getting a word in, please use the "Raise Hand" feature.

New Rule, Experimenting: When a hand is raised I will set a 2-Minute timer for turns. However, if you let it known in your turn that you wish to engage with another person in the group, your turn will be set to 4-Minutes. When no hands are up we continue with a free flow dialog with no timer. No one is obligated to speak if they do not want. Respect for others is a must (or at least please try, haha. We're all human).

Hope you can join us!