Sober Philosophy at POKE FRESH: Guan Zhong (Mark presents, AZF)

Above image is a Han dynasty stone relief rubbing depicting Duke Huan of Qi (齊桓公) on the left and Guan Zhong (管仲) in the center. This scene likely references the famous moment when Duke Huan forgave and employed Guan Zhong (despite his earlier attempt to assassinate the Duke), recognizing his talent.

Guan Zhong (720–645 BC) was the earliest known Chinese philosopher (dying more than 200 years before the birth of Plato, and about 20 years before the birth of Thales), a brilliant statesman and reformer who helped Duke Huan become the first hegemon of the Zhou feudal system.

Symptom-free (from possibly contagious diseases) people with the capacity to listen considerately to diverse viewpoints are invited to attend after successfully RSVPing.

We begin the discussion at 1:00 pm sharp at POKE FRESH restaurant 1026 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115. Feel free to come up to 30 minutes early to get your food order and hang out with us beforehand.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guan_Zhong

AMAZON FORMAT (AZF):
We will begin the meeting by reading the above wikipedia article together.

2-Minute OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (ORT2m):

1. A countdown alarm will be set for 2 minutes.
2. The topic presenter begins the discussion by spending up to 2 minutes explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.
3. Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter has up to 1 minute to describe their general thoughts on the topic.
4. If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.
5. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.
6. Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into its main format.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT (TDRF>5):
If there are more than 5 people present we will use the format below.

1. We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.
2. Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.
3. If one is not ready to direct they simply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.
4. Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.
5. The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.
6. The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interrumptions or redirections.
7. When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.
8. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

At the end of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.