Are you an "ant" who plans for the future, or do you tend to be more of a "grasshopper" who lives for today and lets tomorrow look after itself? Tonight we will be discussing the relative merits of each!
- Are you more of an ant or a grasshopper? Has this changed during the course of your life? Why?
- Does being fully in the moment ever feel too intense of a state to maintain for long? Why or why not?
- Does society treat those who work and save for a rainy day differently from those who focus more on the here and now? Why or why not?
- What if that ant (who struggled all summer) and that grasshopper (who relished each moment) each had a massive insect coronary on Labour Day and died? Who would have had the better life? Why?
- Do you feel more satisfied after completing a dream work project or a dream trip? Why?
- If we could be certain that we would have a period of retirement at the end of our working days do you think that it would be easier to set money aside for that retirement? Why or why not?
- Do you think that the ant personality more left-brain (analytical thinkers) and grasshoppers are more right-brain (creative people)? Why or why not?
- If money both now and in the future were not an issue, how would your approach to life change?
- Would you be unable to enjoy being a grasshopper if you knew your ant self was ill-prepared? What amount of risk is acceptable later to be in the moment now?
- To what extent should we as a society be responsible for our grasshoppers? Why?
- Have you made arrangements related to your death (created a will and representation agreements, purchased a burial plot, pre-paid funeral expenses, etc.)? Why or why not?
- If we didn't measure time and didn't have timed landmarks and goals, do you think that you would live more in the moment? Or would you feel like you were squandering your life without that structure?
- How have family and friends influenced your approach to life planning?
- Do you think society would be better off with a mix of people who are either all ant or all grasshopper, or with people who fall somewhere in between? Why?
- What would the world be like if it were all ant? How about all grasshopper? Why?
- Do you view those who don't plan for the future as irresponsible? Why or why not?
- Do you view those who don't (or can't seem to) be in the moment as unfortunate? Why or why not?
- Do you consciously try to be completely present at least some of the time? If so, when and why? If not, why not?
- As a society we seem to be working harder and harder and leading busier and busier lives. Why do you think that is? Is that what is best for us? Why or why not?
- Are you living the life you want or has something pushed you in one direction or another?
--BONUS QUESTIONS--
21. What do you have to give up in the known "now" to support the unknown "tomorrow"?
22. Do you think that climate change is more of an "ant problem" or a "grasshopper problem"? Why?
23. Which do you think is inherently more selfish: an ant or a grasshopper? Why?
24. Which would be better: a compassionate ant or a pragmatic grasshopper? Why?
More questions will appear over the next week or so. Watch this space!
But sign up now!! :)
I hope that you will join us for this discussion.
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Given the success of this format we are going to be continuing to gather via Zoom. We will be allowing up to 30 participants for this meeting and, after a brief introduction, we will be splitting off into virtual "tables" of six.
As long as you have RSVP'd before 5:30PM on the day of the event you should receive an email from Robert prior to 6:30PM giving you the Zoom meetup credentials.
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
If you are a member of Table Conversations and you didn't receive an email announcing THIS Table Conversations meetup then you likely won't receive the email with the Zoom information on the evening of the event. Please confirm that your Meetup.com profile is configured correctly by carefully following the step-by-step instructions in this link: https://www.meetup.com/tableconversations/events/270360456/
Otherwise, since I don't control Meetup's mail system, if you are not receiving notifications please contact Meetup.com for assistance.
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* Room opens at 6:45PM (often earlier) for socialization
* Discussion starts at 7:15 and finishes at 8:45ish
* Keep talking until dawn!