Presentation

We will view the March 2024, David LaMotte 18 1/2 minute talk - "Why Heroes Don't Change the World” - given at TEDx Asheville followed by Zoom discussion with David LaMotte.

David’s talk focuses on the downside of hero narratives, and how stories that we tell to inspire people can often have the opposite effect. It’s a hopeful message, reminding us that we don’t have to be extraordinary to make change, we just have to work together.

Ty will explore why the “Environmental Movement” mostly failed to motivate people to change their consumption behaviors. He will review some dark episodes in the nation’s history (Native American relocations, slavery’s profitability, numbing responses to today’s school shootings) as informative to today’s failures, that is, knowing something is morally wrong won’t likely change behaviors around the convenience of consumption, profit and loss, or national policy.

In a culture that often values autonomy above most other principles and values, the challenges of aging impact our sense of self, the stories we tell about our lives, and our sense of meaning and spirituality in profound ways. How can we navigate changes and transitions with agency and intention and find the gifts that this unexpected and often unwanted journey brings?

“The Power of Vulnerability”, a TEDx talk by Brene Brown will be viewed and discussed at the Sunday, March 23, 2025, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm. This will be a Zoom only meeting. All are welcome to attend.

In today’s contentious climate—in which a seemingly unbridgeable divide persists between religious and secular worldviews— Tim will address the relative merits and viability of religion versus secular humanism from the perspective of the psychological and social sciences.

With the current societal polarization, open-mindedness is the first step to self-care, rational thinking, and discarding the “scare script” that leads to demonizing others. Rick will offer practical strategies for engaging in conversations with individuals holding opposing political views. He emphasizes the importance of understanding, empathy, and effective communication to bridge political divides.

Religion has long been used to justify the worst of human behaviors. We're also seeing a modern-day shift in the role of both religious institutions and faith-based practices. Nevertheless, religion continues to play an important role in one's identity, how we interact with our neighbors, and how we care for the earth. Vicki has a special interest in educating kids about the world's religions. As it turns out, her award-winning kids' books also help educate adults.

NC Representatives Lindsey and Brian will review the process of how NC expanded Medicaid, the impact the OBBBA Medicaid cuts will likely have on our state and the issues and options as the NC legislature seeks to balance competing objectives. We may not know the full extent of the cuts to those who rely on Medicaid, nor the impact on rural hospitals, utilization and rate increases, nor the legislative options with enough support for passage. Nevertheless, the conversation will be a valuable exploration and discussion for participants and presenters alike.

The Exvangelicals is the story of a rising generation of the children of evangelicalism, including Sarah herself, who are growing up and fleeing the fold, who are thinking for themselves and deconstructing what feel like the “alternative facts” of their childhood. Part memoir, part investigative journalism, Sarah describes the post-evangelical movement: identifying its origins, telling the stories of its members, and examining its vast cultural, social, and political impact.

Taolism is an ethical framework rooted in science, reason, sustainability and action. It serves as a path for both personal well-being and collective sustainability, offering a practical approach to a healthier, more ethical, and environmentally responsible world.

Presentation TBA

Sandra will give focus to the nuance between being “present” and being in “presence” and the role receptivity plays in the quality of our lives. Sandra will reference teachings from her recent book The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type (2024) and invite participants to engage in some simple practices from this book.