West Wing Wednesday Night #23 February 10 2010

The countdown is officially on – less than 10 days before that really special event in February (the one that no one can’t scalp an exorbitantly priced ticket to, because it’s invitation only!!) – yes, Wednesday Salon West is being reconvened again.

This months’ topics (and GREAT appreciation to all who sent in these GREAT suggestions) include:

In praise of machines: We find it easy to critique our industrial-consumer life, and the automobile has become a symbol of all that is wrong with progress (or as one of our regulars often reminds us – symbol of the lack of progress). What then do we love about the world of machines? This being so close to Valentine’s day, come prepared to make a case for the machine you LOVE the most, be it the bicycle, canoe, train, avocado slicer, egg-beater, i-phone or dare I say internal combustion engine.

The paradox of choice and the role of wisdom – have a look at these short TED Barry Schwartz videos http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html and – http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html – lots to delve into!

Under-reported news: Where do you get your news? What is the media failing to report? What do you think are our blind spots as a society? What are the trends, issues, news events that we should be focusing on?

Reconstruction in Haiti: Have we learned about where best to send our support? Are celebrities who travel to Haiti help or hindrance? Who should direct the effort and control the monies?

And yes, we can also mention the Olympics! – there are incidentally still lots of tickets to be had at the Cultural Olympiad –

Then again, we never know where the conversation will go!!! We look forward to welcoming friends back and meeting new guests. Come to think, discuss, be inspired, and exchange ideas and insights, all you of interested, interesting, informed and informative folks in town.