Open Post: In-Person Interactions?

[ecosophia]

Several people recently have brought up the fact that the community of oddballs that's gathered around this journal and my blog and other writings has only an electronic existence, and suggested that it might be worth trying to change that. Here in Rhode Island, there's an annual potluck on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice for local and traveling readers of mine to get together, and it's a very pleasant event -- but of course it's not within everyone's reach, nor is one event once a year necessarily going to fill the void that a number of us feel.

The difficulties I see are twofold. First, I have no idea how many people are actually interested in some kind of regular venue or venues where readers of mine can meet in person. Second, the skill set involved in planning and running any sort of get-together is not one I've learned, and since I have Aspergers syndrome it's probably not a good idea for me to try to learn it.

So I'm throwing the question open to my readers. Would you like to see some kind of regular get-together with other people strange enough to read the ravings of a former Archdruid, and if so, what kind? Is there enough interest to choose a hotel someplace more or less equally inconvenient for everyone, and have a three-day mini-convention or something? Or would it be better to just facilitate little local meetups? Or something else? These days I can travel again, so my presence at some such event or event is a definite possibility if that's desired.  But the rest is up to you, dear readers. What, if anything, do you want to see?

Comments

[brenainn]

This sounds awesome! I'd be happy to show up for a three-day mini-convention. I have a relatively high degree of flexibility when making such plans (thanks to my participation in the Great Resignation). I'd also be open to local meetups, and I might even be able to host one. Depending on the number of attendees, it could be at my home (maybe around 8-10 people), my brother's place in the country or my town's park (if more than 10 people). I also think it might be easier to plan local meetups if we meet first at something like the mini-convention you mentioned. Might be easier to form connections with folks nearest to an attendee, and get some planning done.

[(Anonymous)]

"This sounds awesome! I'd be happy to show up for a three-day mini-convention. I have a relatively high degree of flexibility when making such plans (thanks to my participation in the Great Resignation). I'd also be open to local meetups..."

Except, in my case i can't host local things but would go.

" I also think it might be easier to plan local meetups if we meet first at something like the mini-convention you mentioned."

Second Me on the above

~Wolf

[(Anonymous)]

ooooh! how exciting! it's BEGINNING...

to catch energy happening at the same time, i'd be into setting up something locally, whether or not you're ever traveling this far. i'd ask ahead and see if we could go to city lights bookstore even though we're pariahs. Peter just picked up a box of my books a couple of days ago--said they sell well--- and they could sell yours, too.

...or back to a cafe or park. or even renting a library room. nevermind that one.

i've become a reclusive misanthrope over here but have skills at organizing events and i could help even from here.

maybe i'm in a trap thinking of book readings, but even if there was a reading/talk at a closed cafe after-hours (like what started the scene i came to here in SF), there'd be all these conversations continued at an all-night diner or someone's backyard.

if you're planning on coming out this far, i'll definitely help out and do what i can/get what i can.

even if you're NOT coming out here, i'd love to do a parallel meet up even if it's just Temporary Reality, her husband, daughter, and me.

everyone's in the habit of saying "yes!" but then changing their mind as we all have social anxieties now. but remember the older folks told us to get over ourselves and reach out? that's where we're at.

when i did my last funky book tour, i did backyards with tiki torches in arizona and took over someone's art studio in brooklyn. i'd also done a run at a church with pews in portland oregon. theatres are also good for a night with John Michael Greer.

if you do come out here, i'll hit up Peter and see if he'd be willing to make something of it.

this is exciting. and i was just hitting the blues something bad when i figured i'd listen to more of your new podcast that's intense but perfect for right NOW for me.

so i'm IN, whether i'm being visited by Papa or not. to do a tour, no matter how small, it'd be good to get a bookstore to promote and have your books and the space. but i'm mixing everything up... visits book tours talks...

but when i saw you traveling, Papa, i saw it being like the old lecture circuits of Mark Twain's time. time for loooong conversations after long talks. there's got to be some temple some ...church or heady thinking venue that'd be into this for sure, yeah???

but yes. it's TIME.

x

erika

[(Anonymous)]

You're on the West Coast? Cool! I'm in Santa Barbara ... OK, it's a 6-hour drive, but not impossible. (Might need a place to sleep before going home.) Definitely want to hear more!

Michael in Santa Barbara

Semi-in-person events?

[(Anonymous)]

JMG -

Long-distance travel (that is, farther than one can walk in a day) may be incompatible with living with LESS. Despite the dependence on the vast technology of the Internet, virtual gatherings should be more energy efficient. "Move information, not meat."

I'm sitting here by the radio, listening to ham stations from Easter Island, Maui, Slovenia, and Germany! So, it would be pretty cool to try gathering small groups around a radio station, and run a hybrid gathering. Local travel could assemble local groups, and then the groups could be tied together with Zoom (Internet), voice conference-call, and/or HF radio. It won't be easy! But if the wrinkles could get ironed out now, while we have parallel options, we'd be in a better position if/when HF radio was ALL we have!

We might also set an example for other groups which have traditionally gathered from a distance, if we can figure out how to make it work.

Of course, there are some things that, as I'm sure any diplomat could tell you, can ONLY be done in person. Like, passing envelopes of cash under the table, or enjoying the company of ladies hired for the evening. Lacking these things, though, shouldn't impair our event.

Lathechuck

Re: Semi-in-person events?

[robertmathiesen]

Just a historical footnote: In the 1700s and 1800s people -- mostly men -- used to travel between Boston and Providence on foot, by way of what was then called the Lower Post Road, a journey of about 45 miles according to the road tables in old almanacs. It took a person one very long hard day to cover that distance on foot; or more often it took him two comfortable days, sleeping rough in the woods overnight if he couldn't afford a bed in a tavern. Of course, nowadays the old Post Road is a highway for cars, and hardly anyone has the stamina to cover 45 miles on foot in two days, much less to do hard farm labor for 10 hours or more a day (which does build up strength and stamina). And pretty much everyone did live a LESS life back then. (I expect it would take only one generation for the survivors of a major collapse to ragain the ability to do that sort of traveling on foot once again.)

[white_bear_chronicles]

This is great idea and I think Lathechuck is onto something as a starting point. Depending on the time of year I'm not opposed to traveling up to a days drive to meet up as things develop. I'd enjoy having faces to put with the names and thoughts I find here.
Gawain

[(Anonymous)]

John (and others),

I would be delighted to host some kind of event. As you know, I am in the lower Hudson Valley just north of the Big Apple. I found over the years that such events tend to be not well attended in this area, nor in the city. Perhaps other readers in this area might want to respond, to see if there is enough interest such events now.

Since you travelled to an event that I co-hosted down in the city for one of your books, you might find my slightly down-market corner of what I call one of the Bedrooms of the (imperial) Beast more to your liking than then even Brooklyn.

Best regards,

John of Red Hook

[(Anonymous)]

people i know noticed it first with facebook, and i noticed it, too: people would have this fantasy of their Later Selves, but when the time came to go, they'd find the simplest reason to not go. the computer keeps people in fantasy "later" "someday!" places.

the phone makes you feel like you're never alone in public full of strangers.

so it's PRACTICE to go be uncomfortable and awkward, and THEN foist yourself out of it by lurching forward, putting out your hand and introducing yourself to someone you don't know.

but i think people are READY to be ...well, i think they're willing to overcome their nerves because they're sad and bored and lonely.

i am lonely. without James and just the kitties, i'd become a cat lady like the old timey kind. but i'm going to force myself to reach out and GET TO KNOW PEOPLE now. particularly the ones attached to James i'm keeping like weird family that we were. i don't want them to wander off and be lonely again. many of them felt more connected just by knowing James existed.

why stop now that he's dead? so then he's NOT dead!

Jesus, indeed. y'all need to listen to Papa's latest podcast. the gloves are off and class has REALLY started. it was perfect for what i need now as i face court and feeling like the touchy feely sucker who's gonna get pummeled.

red!

and i needed to know there are different paths to hop in and i need a new form of being to fight these folks without getting evil. i wasn't wanting to THINK like them to fight them... but i don't HAVE to.

man that was a great podcast. that host was hanging on by the back of the bus. me, too.

erika

[jprussell]

I agree with some of the others that a mix of different kinds of events would like be best - an annual national get together for whoever can make it (maybe with a sign-up for events, like workshops on Ecosophian skills of one kind or another, or running a game of the WoH RPG, or what have you), but also local/regional events more regularly, and/or online events for those who can't make the others (not as satisfying, but better than nothing).

For what it's worth, I'm in Houston, and would be happy to meet up with anyone in the region, and I might be able to dust off some of my old consultant skills and help with some of the organization, if there's enough interest.

Cheers,
Jeff

[(Anonymous)]

that's a brilllliant idea to have workshops on SKILLS!

erika

Hooray! From Texas

[(Anonymous)]

Hello JMG from Orange Exiguous Piglet here in Texas!

A 3 day convention would be very cool and worth traveling to in my opinion, so count me as interested!

As for small, one-day regional gatherings, as I mentioned in another post l, I’d be delighted to host a gathering of people who are in my part of the world (or can reasonably travel here). But yeah, I, too, am lousy at organizing such things.
Since you have opened the topic for discussion, though, let me put it out there and see how many people might be interested in an ecosophian gathering in Bryan, TX? I know there are several readers who have said they are around the Houston area - I am 1 or 2 hours drive from Houston, depending what part of Houston they are coming from. 2 hrs from Austin, 3 from DFW, 4ish from SanAntonio….
Anyhoo, if enough people reply that they are interested, we can figure out some way to sign up without broadcasting my address all over the interwebs. Or maybe meet at a public place and go from there?

Druidical university

[frittermywig]

I would be inclined to attend, certainly!

I'm kind of surprised and disappointed that there still has been no benefactor come forward to seed a druidical university. It would have been jolly to gather on the quad for this picnic...

Re: Druidical university

[(Anonymous)]

Well now, that is a fine idea you've put out into the world. Methinks it would be some sort of grove rather than a quad, but I too can picture it.

Also, see my comment above about a gathering in my area- perhaps you'd be interested?

Dylan

Hybrid approach?

[drhooves]

I've worked on a couple of reunions - one for high school, one for a bunch of college kids that toured Europe over 40 years ago. There are obvious challenges for people traveling long distances, so the ideas around a tour or virtual appearances has merit. Then I had a vision of JMG strolling across a stage in a turtleneck, with a flesh colored microphone boom lost in his beard with snazzy shoes, looking and sounding like the typical pinhead for a Ted Talk. A shudder, a cold shiver, went down my spine.

One challenge is planning the content. JMG showing up in your backyard is like going to a concert with the Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones, Night Ranger and Taylor Swift. I would guess few people would be there for all topics. Decline, Magic, Covid, Frugality, politics, philosophy, beer? Focus is needed, and an agenda that's somewhat accurate.

Another consideration is scheduling and lead time, especially for the summer months. JMG would have to work that into his publishing schedule too if traveling.

So maybe start with smaller, local groups willing to promote an appearance by JMG, along with the willingness to capture audio/video and of course transcripts of any presentations, panels or discussions. This would probably take a while to form those groups up, and I'm not as familiar with the best ideas on how to do that. Facebook was pretty handy for a couple of things I worked on, but....it's FB.

Anyway, I sure would be willing to travel a few hours to shake Mr. Greer's hand, if nothing else. I can't say the same for too many other celebrities in this day and age....

Re: Hybrid approach?

[kallianeira]

Hello drhooves, John, everybody.
I'd be there for it all except perhaps the beer (and my partner would have plenty of interest in that).

BUT

I live over the Pacific, in New South Wales to be more precise, and I may go as far as NZ for a meetup but sorry to say not to North America.

Anyone in Australia interested in making contact?

iridescent scintillating elver

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, my higher self is interested in a convention and local meet ups, but my lower self is a bit nervous about it. I've suffered from social anxiety my whole life. It's more of a problem with initiating conversations than actually conversing especially if I know the people are like minded. Not really a fan of virtual meet ups.

[ecosophia]

I have the same issue, you know. I bet we can find a couple of comfortable chairs on the sidelines and locate a common topic to geek out about. ;-)

[k_a_nitz]

Having moved to Wanganui at the end of last year, I suspect I'm even too far out of the way now for the other New Zealand readers - but you never know...

Vancouver Island

[(Anonymous)]

Hi JMG,
Pygmycory and I are becoming friends by email. I would be delighted to host a regional gathering at my little farm on Denman Island for the readers from Vancouver Island, the Gulf islands and beyond. You are invited of course but we are a world away from Rhode Island.

Anyone who is interested, please leave me a note here.
Maxine

Re: Vancouver Island

[claire_58]

Hi Maxine,
If you plan something please let me know. We'd enjoy a day trip to Denman. I don't have organizational skills to contribute but we would certainly bring food and help out in any other way.
If you are ever in Comox and have time please come and visit.
E.C.

[jdecandia]

Does anyone know how we could organize this regionally?For what it is worth?I'm in the bay area and I'd be more than delighted to meet other Ecosophians.

[(Anonymous)]

Would you be willing to come to Canada? If so, I'd be willing to help organize an event somewhere in the Via Rail Corridor; it's easily accessible by train, we have plenty of beautiful cities, and it would be a chance for you to meet many of your Canadian readers who might not be able or willing to travel to the US.

Either way: how many people are interested in setting up such an event? If there's enough interest, I'm willing to take on getting this project off the ground.

[(Anonymous)]

Anything along the VIA rail corridor is great for me... I live in Ottawa but Niagara could be great for US citizens too.

Druidovik

Multi-Purpose Meets

[(Anonymous)]

My impulse is towards arranging local in-person events but I imagine each event to be about something besides JMG’s writings. His books and other products could and should be on display at the event, but the focus of each event would be a practical purpose in which the hosting group has some claim to skills or expertise. Plant seedling giveaway, old hand tool woodworking demonstration, raw milk, bee skep weaving, beer brewing -- any enthusiasm the hosts wish to develop more local interest in. More like a frugal friday swap meet than a book club for discussion. More action, less talk, you see. If JMG wishes to combine these local meets with a book promotion tour, well, there would be a ready made audience (I dare not say Readiance, that is too close to Radiance) and an added attraction for locals who know of his written works.

By making the events focus rather narrowly on matters of personal and practical value, the seeds for a quilting and knitting clinic, musical club or Grange association could be planted in the field of public awareness.

I also want to put in a good word for carpooling , perhaps managed in a fashion similar to how Quin’s prayer list is maintained. So JMG need not be involved, but some way or site where people can post the need for a ride or offer rides within a specified compass of distances and time, payment for petrol, and or sofas to sleep on for visiting wizardly dignitaries. I wish Green Wizards site was up—it could have been helpful for that purpose.

sounds fun!!

[(Anonymous)]

As someone who lives a few states away, but not all THAT far away, I'd say the 3 day convention idea sounds pretty fun! It might allow us to take a pause from daily life to enjoy the presence of like minded people. The potluck also sounds really fun, glad I know about that now! If you have the potluck annually for the summer solstice, why not do something annually during the darker half of the year as well?
Any way it turns out, I'm definitely down to go to a hangout of fellow readers, whether it's a 3 day convention or just sitting around a campfire and chatting for an evening or 2. It'd be nice to finally meet some of the rest of the community in person. :)

- Blade

Meeting

[guillem66]

I'll be glad to attend such a meeting.I have a flexible work schedule, so if it's announced with a bit of time, i can manage to attend anywhere in Europe. Of course, the
closer to Spain, the easier it will be for me!

One day, i would love to organize it myself, but this year there are too many things going on in my life.

However, if anyone happens to visit BCN or Catalonia, and wants to have a coffee or something,feel free to send me a message to dreamwidht.

Simple networking/contacts would be helpful

[osel]

Some method of networking to contacting other local readers of the blog would be very welcome; I'm not entirely sure how that would be achieved however. Maybe a list of contact addresses for people in each area or something.

Stuck near the edge of the earth in New Zealand means most events would be unfeasible to travel to for me, but I'm interested who else is around from this area. It is irksome finding anyone here open minded enough to critique that status quo without then drowning in conspiracy-politics instead.

I would be happy to be such a point of contact if it could be done privately or semi-anonymously - unfortunately associating my real name could have unfortunate personal repercussions if the association became publicly visible.

Re: Simple networking/contacts would be helpful

[osel]

On a practical note, does anyone have suggestions for (online) tools for communicating to groups that isn't facebook or the like?

Every mailing list application is centred on marketing and 'campaigns', which sets a mindset of attacking members, not helpful when you only wish to simply communicate!

I did find a couple of more privacy focussed options, but then promptly discovered prominently displayed links to anti-MAGA tirades and other political nonsense.

I'm of half a mind (actually more like 3/4 mind) to build or setup something myself, at least for the non-profits I'm involved with.

Would anyone else be interested in that, especially in regards to the topic at hand?

Like a noticeboard service where you can subscribe to a group to get simple announcements from? Something that is private in the first instance, non-political, not commercially focussed and very very simple.

(Northern) Europe

[(Anonymous)]

(Since it feels a bit wrong to comment on this anonymously, I sometimes comment a "Kim A." on the main blog)

Thanks for this. Those comments struck a chord with me as well, and I'd love to attend a physical meeting. As a European I've been jealous of the Rhode Island meet-up for a while, but flying halfway across the world to attend an Ecosophia gathering would feel in bad taste.

I'm located in Norway, so if anyone's interested in planning something in Northern Europe I'm up for it. As is usually the way with these things, I suspect Germany is the most likely place for a European meet-up, though. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I've never actually been, even if it's in the continental neighborhood. In any case, I'd probably be willing to make the trip down to the continent if necessary.

Re: (Northern) Europe

[(Anonymous)]

Living in Norway too and I'd be more than happy to attend events in Scandinavia, but as you say Germany could be the most probable thing for such a thing

Denis T

[weilong]

I probably won't go to the convention, but I would be open to discussing a meetup of the Japan chapter, if anyone else is interested.

[yuccaglauca]

Well I'm in Japan, so if you get anything together hit me up.

A wonderful idea

[(Anonymous)]

Hi everybody!

I am very very far away from the US, so if anything comes up, please consider live internet links for us folks living somewhere on the other side of the planet!
Thanks!

Initiations and Attunements

[ecosophia]

One thing that occurs to me this morning is that, along with the other activities at a get-together, I could offer attunements for the Modern Order of Essenes, ordinations and consecrations in the Universal Gnostic Church, and if there are others prepared to participate, initiations into the degrees of the Fellowship of the Hermetic Rose. Of course those wouldn't be of interest to everybody, but they might make the trip a little more appealing for some.

Re: Initiations and Attunements

[guillem66]

I'll say that not only more appealing, that will make attending worth by itself!

[prayergardens]

I would very much be interested in physical meetups. I had a few email exchanges with those readers who I found to be local to me (hi!) after some flooding and just enjoyed those few email exchanges- imagine in person!

A few ideas:
-Open Space Meetings are a very flexible and lovely way to run in person meetings. Lots of explanations on the internet. But basically,usually a keynote speaker to set the theme,then people post meetings ideas, times and locations around a appropriately sized property and people move in and out of meetings as they wish. No central planning of programs required. Some people like to use it to discuss ideas, some people treat it as a skillshare - there's room for it all.

-A market would be cool - if site costs needs to be covered, sell tablespace for a low amount, let people sell their wares and services. If you're going to have a market it would also be cool to have a non-market space, just a gift/share space. I think they're complementary. People both need to make a living and like to share.

-Food, invite a few food trucks or small caterers if the site allows it. People manage their own food.

-It would also be very cool if there was a single day where all these meetings were held across the globe so we could be with people in spirit if not in physical presence.

[charlieobert]

About local connections - as it turns out I was contacted last week by anaother reader of these blogs who saw my posts, and it turns out we both live in the same neighborhood in Minneapolis. We'll be connecting in person soon.

I'm out here under my real name (Charlie Obert) and real location (Minneapolis, Minnesota). If there is anyone in this area who would care to meet in person please message me off-list - I realize others have reasons for staying anonymous and I respect that; I won't blow your cover.

I am quite interested in local in-person contacts, and not interested in large groups or an organisation. I have horrible social skills in large groups; I'm the sort of person who can go to a convention, and come home knowing fewer people than when I got there.

Boston

[(Anonymous)]

Happy to make the trip from Boston as I did last summer.
If anyone else is in the area and wants to chat, reply to this message with someway to reach you :)