The most common theme expressed among the individual introductions that people who've signed up for this group have posted here is that they feel somewhat isolated and long to share discussions of their personal world-views with like-minded people.
However, reviewing the history of the previous "meet-ups" for this group, it looks like the turn-outs have been extremely small. Not that there is anything wrong with small gatherings -- even two people create a conversation and an opportunity for growth and community. But each additional person expands that opportunity exponentially.
True, it can be more difficult to define a "theme" around which to frame discussions when what the group has in common seems more a "lack" of something (formalized religion) than a "possession" of something. But, having an open and curious mind is, to me, a more substantial "possession" than simply conforming to a scripted dogma and it's something we should each be eager and proud to share.
Although (to paraphrase an old quote), convening freethinkers may be like attempting to herd cats, I'd like to try. So, I'm volunteering my house for the first get-together. I have a large, comfortably furnished (chairs, couches, pillows), covered outdoor porch in a secluded garden setting in Forest Hills, a minute from the Parkway East (halfway between the Squirrel Hill tunnel and Monroeville). I'll provide snacks and drinks and a starting theme to get discussion going. For now I'm setting it up for 7:00 on a Friday, but I welcome feedback as to how people feel about that time. Though the main purpose would be to focus on sharing philosophical viewpoints, the obvious secondary benefit would be to relax, socialize and get to know a variety of new people.
So, is this "catnip" enough to get a good turnout?
“ There were 3 additional folks who were coming together from some distance away but had car trouble and had to turn around and go home. So we would have had 7 people, but the 4 who made it enjoyed a pleasant evening of wine, snacks and conversation. We only touched a little bit on the "freethinking" topic (we had been awaiting the latecomers before starting) but it turned out to be a nice socializing Meetup anyway -- there waas no lack of subjects and we talked for 4 hours! ”
Talk about this Meetup
Delete this comment?
This comment has been deleted.