You’ve mentioned upthread that you’re uncertain what exactly EAs should do to be “more like peak Quakerism”, but can you take a stab at some concrete suggestions that illustrate what you mean? I’m just wondering what would change. Paraphrasing examples from other comments:
emphasizing silence in EA meetups to improve the quality of debate and ideas?
whatever other aspects of Quaker-style meetings that make them distinctive? (like what?)
abstaining from alcohol?
being more co-dependent on others?
more rituals?
more children? (probably not?)
various forms of meditation like loving-kindness and insight, reflection, etc?
emphasizing other personal behaviors the community should strive to include and praise because they push the group towards long-term success?
The England and Wales Green Party in the 1980s took a lot of Quaker business method and applied it to their conferences. They called it ‘Other Ways of Working’. Unfortunately, they have been lost int he mists of time, but they included silence for a minut’s relfection at the beginning of sessions to give people the chance to consider their goals and relationship with the group, the chair calling for silent reflection (or table-talk) for a few minutes if discussion got heated, respect for minority opinion as enriching the group, and a whole load of other practices. As a Quaker Green Party member I of course like this thread.
You’ve mentioned upthread that you’re uncertain what exactly EAs should do to be “more like peak Quakerism”, but can you take a stab at some concrete suggestions that illustrate what you mean? I’m just wondering what would change. Paraphrasing examples from other comments:
emphasizing silence in EA meetups to improve the quality of debate and ideas?
whatever other aspects of Quaker-style meetings that make them distinctive? (like what?)
abstaining from alcohol?
being more co-dependent on others?
more rituals?
more children? (probably not?)
various forms of meditation like loving-kindness and insight, reflection, etc?
emphasizing other personal behaviors the community should strive to include and praise because they push the group towards long-term success?
The England and Wales Green Party in the 1980s took a lot of Quaker business method and applied it to their conferences. They called it ‘Other Ways of Working’. Unfortunately, they have been lost int he mists of time, but they included silence for a minut’s relfection at the beginning of sessions to give people the chance to consider their goals and relationship with the group, the chair calling for silent reflection (or table-talk) for a few minutes if discussion got heated, respect for minority opinion as enriching the group, and a whole load of other practices. As a Quaker Green Party member I of course like this thread.
Paul Ingram