Beer, Salon-ers?

Hey Smartie Pants. So, what's crackin? We doin this? Who is up next? When? I love you all.

Transactional Tax

Hello smarty-pants. When I was in Buffalo visiting family for the holidays, I came across a very provocative article in the Buffalo ArtVoice. Here is a link:

http://artvoice.com/issues/v10n51/letters_to_artvoice/occupiers_heres_a_cause

The author summarizes a proposal for a transactional tax that would replace local, state and federal taxes and would be proportional to one's income and expenditures. He claims it should appeal to the right (reduced government interference) and the left (it would generate more money for social programs). He makes no claims that it is a perfect system but it may be better than our current tax code and seems to merit discussion. He suggests it would be a good platform for Occupiers to take up as a tool against economic disparity. Have any of you heard of it? If you have time to read the article (it's quite short and easy to read) let me know what you think! xo

The Empathetic Civilisation

While looking around the (Un)Occupy Albuquerque Facebook page yesterday I stumbled across an RSA Animate, The Empathetic Civilization. I recommend watching it, it's only ten minutes and forty seconds:

RSA Animate – Empathic Civilisation

I'm wondering if it's possible to start a conversation on the blog that is completely unrelated to what we're discussing in Sunday BS gatherings. So I'm going to suggest we give it a go with "The Empathetic Civilization" because I'm curious what you all think about it. I'll save my opinions for the comments.

Community Meeting

400Lb Monkey: Thank you for opening your window onto the world for us last night. I especially appreciated seeing your teaching materials at work. Sometimes I think I should sit in on your class and relearn some things based on the materials. I think my work journal would include works in math and geography especially. I am small and your room is bustling, maybe no one would notice.

Next week, that is right, next f'n week, we will be meeting again to hear from another BS'er- as they try to answer life's pressing questions from their perspective. More info to follow.

I also want to add that my silver tooth is distracting me from my work today.

Hello Smartie-Pants. I will answer the call and volunteer to address some of our questions about life and vocation this coming Sunday, September 25th at my house, 7pm sharp. And, in the interest of putting the Beer back in Beer Salon, I will supply some Beer and we will brainstorm ways to get Beer to subsequent Beer Salons in an efficient and equitable manner. Be well, Arrogant Bastard

Our Examined Lives

Last night's Beer Salon brainstorming session seemed to provide just the kick in the pants that was needed to get the ball of BS rolling again. For those not there: we decided to do a series on telling about our life's work/passion. This will be followed by a series where we have guests come answer similar questions. We came up with a list of questions to guide these salons, feel free to answer them all or to pick and choose. Field trips are encouraged.

The questions:

What ethical dissonance do you see in your life? How do you try to minimize it?
What are your highest values?
Why do you work where you work?
Outside of work, how do you spend the majority of your time?
Where does your mind wander?
Who do you want to be/what do you aspire towards?
What is yours to do/what do you see as your life's work?
If money/obligations were no object, how would you spend your time?

Hello smarty pants. What say? Beer Salon, this Sunday, 7pm? Where? Good question. In a park would be nice, wouldn't it? I guess it depends on our topic and media.

I have 2 suggestions:
Mark Maron's WTF podcast episode 189. I listened to this gem in my studio the other day and it blew my mind. Mark Maron is a very smart comedian who hosts other comedians for some serious conversation. It gets to the heart of some of foundational BS talks. In this episode Maron interviews a comic, Nick Thune, who is a Christian. Maron is an agnostic with Judaic roots. He starts the podcast with a provocative monologue about faith and the two comedians commence a challenging, stereotype busting, and thoughtful conversation about the human condition and Jesus. This could be hard to swing in a park but we could figure something out.

Otherwise, a general BS brainstorm could be helpful. We could bring our notebooks and pencils or books or electronic devices and calendars and all throw in to get BS rolling again. This would be easier in a park.

Plus, covert beer drinking in a park! what fun.