NJ Deep and Interesting Conversations

Hello everyone,

Get ready for our next book discussion! This time we're diving into something that affects all of us: why is it so hard to talk about politics and religion? Is there something fundamentally broken in how we communicate, or are we missing something deeper about human nature and society? Jonathan Haidt offers a fascinating perspective in his book The Righteous Mind.

The book has four parts, and we're meeting on February 14th to discuss Part One. In this first section, Haidt challenges a big assumption most of us have, that we make moral decisions by thinking things through carefully. Turns out, it's the opposite.

If you've ever wondered why arguments about moral issues never seem to go anywhere, or why smart people can look at the same situation and come to completely different conclusions, this book offers some real answers. It's a dense topic, but super relevant to understanding ourselves and the divisions we're seeing everywhere.

See you on February 14th!

Important Note: If you have not done the reading for the meetup, you are welcome to attend and listen to the discussion, but out of respect for those who have read, you will not be permitted to participate in the discussion.

Attendance Requirement: All attendees must purchase food or drinks from the cafe to support the local business hosting our event.

Also, we'd appreciate a small donation to help cover our Meetup fees and keep the group running.

Come ready for great conversations, paradigm-shifting insights, and a welcoming community of curious and thoughtful individuals ready to examine the fundamental forces that drive human behavior and society.

If you are attending, please read the guidelines below to help keep this a welcoming space for all of us 😊. Thank you and I hope to have a deep discussion with you soon.

For our next discussion, Let's dive into one of humanity's fundamental dilemmas: How do we take care of ourselves while also showing up for others? It's a question older than politics itself.

This friendly and thoughtful discussion is going to be about Individual Freedom vs Collective Responsibility. Not as opposing sides, but as two parts of the same coin.

This is an opportunity to sit with people from different cultures and life paths, share stories, listen with care, and reflect on how societies actually function, what nourishes them, what causes fractures, and what might need to shift.

This isn’t a debate and there’s no pressure to have the “right” answer. In a world that loves either/or thinking, we’re making space for curiosity, nuance, and honest questions. We’ll explore the tension between personal freedom and collective care, not to resolve it, but to see what it teaches us about being human.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All backgrounds and perspectives are welcome. That diversity makes our conversations richer. Come share yours and listen to others respectfully..

Question will Explore:

1. Can you share a time when you had to choose between doing what you wanted and what was good for the group?
2. What's one freedom you really value in your daily life?
3. Why do some cultures value collective responsibility more than others?
4. Is individualism making societies more fragmented and lonely or more free?
5. Can strong communities exist in highly individualistic societies?
6. If you could design a neighborhood from scratch, what would you want people to be free to do? What would you hope they'd choose to do together?

Also, we'd appreciate a small donation to help cover our Meetup fees and keep the group running.

Come ready for great conversations, paradigm-shifting insights, and a welcoming community of curious and thoughtful individuals ready to examine the fundamental forces that drive human behavior.

Perfect for philosophers, psychology enthusiasts, anyone who love exploring the big questions that shape how we live.

If you are attending, please read the guidelines below to help keep this a welcoming space for all of us 😊. Thank you and I hope to have a deep conversation with you soon.