What we’re about
I am excited to invite you all to join the Talking Points Discussion group, where we can engage in friendly online conversations, thinking, discussing, and debating a wide range of scholarly and other topics. While I am located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), I believe in a borderless approach, so anyone from anywhere is welcome to participate!
I thoroughly enjoy exploring various subjects, such as politics, theories, Indigenous affairs, race/gender theory, feminism, decolonization ideas, and New Social movements. What particularly fascinates me is understanding the intersections between these topics and more. There are no limits to our discussions, but there are a few rules we must follow.
Here are the guidelines:
1. Respectful discourse is key. We can passionately discuss and debate differing views, but attacking or being rude to others is strictly prohibited. Let's focus on addressing the arguments rather than attacking the individuals presenting them. While we encourage free speech, any misinformation, untruths, racist ideologies, or extremist nationalistic beliefs that insult participants will not be allowed. It's important to strike a balance between open discussion and moderating harmful rhetoric within our private group.
2. Our discussions will remain anonymous. We won't delve into personal backgrounds, education, or other personal details. By doing so, we create an environment where the focus is solely on the discussion and debate itself, fostering a perception of a level playing field. We are all different individuals, and regardless of our diverse backgrounds, there is tremendous opportunity for mutual learning.
3. The group will collectively decide on the topics we discuss, either by majority vote or through suggestions from the moderator (myself). I will provide weekly stimuli, questions, or ideas to guide our discussions.
4. Recordings of our sessions in any form are strictly prohibited. Please refrain from recording our conversations. The group chat is considered private and off the record. It is important to respect everyone's privacy and avoid any risk of plagiarism if our discussions are shared through any media platforms.
There is no requirement for cameras to be turned on during our meetings.
I am sincerely looking forward to our e-meetings and the insightful discussions we will have.
Ali
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Lunch time Discussion & Debate: Stay married, or divorce? How it impacts kids?Link visible for attendees
This week's 'suggested' prompt question:
The institution of marriage is one that needs both partners to be committed (to it) for life. Initially, most marriages are about love, loyalty, compassion and caring. As we change (and age) so do our identities as people; we are not the same person as when we got married. For example, our views once shared with our partner might of changed and partner no longer meets our needs (and vice versa). This doesn't make us bad people. The failure to recognize these changes between partners may be a fatal blow to the union. Some people even say they fell out of love (or like) with their partner because they were different when they got married to them (that's certainly not false!). Sometimes the tension causes some people to be abusive (mentally and/or physically) to the point that the union is much more toxic than loving. Getting help may be an option - but, some people will be pressured to stay in marriages for their children who were innocently born into the union.
When people are faced with the hard decision of separating / divorcing - they ask: what about the kids?
Separation and Divorce is hard on any child as well as the partners and their extended families. What's worse is that the legal system allows some (not all) 'opportunistic' lawyers to employ strategies pitting the partners against one another to maximize litigation and billings, putting a further strain on the families. Flagrant allegations of abuse (sometimes overinflated or untrue) usually fly back and forth in acrimonious divorces where one or both of the partners can be criminally processed (usually the man), further impacting the relationship with the affected parent's child(ren). While there are clear cases where people should not stay together: physical or mental abuse, endangerment to life of the parties, and most of all to the children - some relationships may just need help understanding one another to rekindle that connection.
Yet, people seem to (sometimes, but not always) throw in the towel rather quickly; eager to liberate themselves, to separate and/or divorce. The children have now gone from being stable in their bedroom at home, to bouncing around every other weekend or so, and tippy toe around what they tell their parents about the other on visits; or worse, one of the parents, who has never laid a finger on anyone, but has been charged and is restricted from contacting the other parent or the children.
See: https://youtu.be/9S60kJA6tic
Do parents not have a responsibility to their children to make every effort to make their marriage work? How would Socrates apply his theory of the unexamined life to the concept of divorce? Would he prioritize himself, his family, or his children? What impact will it have on the children if the two people they love and trust the most in the world are no longer together and seem to have a strong dislike for each other?
Interestingly, an article from Scientific American argues that while the initial breakup is difficult for children, only a small percentage of children from divorced parents experience serious problems in adulthood. However, I would question this assertion as it likely depends on how the parents behave and parent during the divorce process. You can read the article here: Scientific American - Is Divorce Bad for Children?
On the other hand, Jordan Peterson argues that divorce is universally harmful, especially for children. He compares getting a divorce to having a non-fatal cancer and believes it subjects children to lifelong trauma, which contradicts the findings of the aforementioned article. You can watch his discussion on this topic here: Jordan Peterson - The Impact of Divorce on Children
Rules:
This is a friendly discussion and debate on various issues - it's likely to be passionate. However, the first rule is that there is no attacking (or being rude) to the other person allowed. Deal with the argument, not attack the person making it.
Secondly, we do not discuss our personal backgrounds, education or other things - all we will know is our first names. This will allow the perception of the discussion and debate being on a level-playing-field - we are all, in any event, different and we can all learn from one another.
Thirdly, topic selection will be decided either by me (the moderator) or the group that day in a majority vote.
Finally, NO RECORDING allowed in any way. Note that you should absolutely NOT record our sessions in any way! There is no requirement for cameras to be on.
I look forward to meeting with you all.
Ali
