What we’re about
Studio 42 is where we have moving conversations about controversial and philosophical subjects. Are you passionate about exploring the nuances of consequential topics and engaging in constructive and meaningful dialogue? Our purpose is to practice the skill of discussing challenging topics while improving our active listening, critical thinking, empathy, persuasion, public speaking and dispute resolution skills.
Join us to connect with thoughtful people and immerse yourself in discussions that challenge your perspectives and expand your understanding of the world. Let’s enjoy learning together while making meaningful connections through the art of thoughtful conversation!
Discussions are moderated to ensure respectful exchange and to give everyone an equal opportunity to speak. You are welcome to join regardless of your political views, knowledge level or skill level. Participation is optional; you can speak or just listen in.
VALUES
During our events, we pursue the following values:
Critical Thinking
Each conversation provides an opportunity to delve deeply into complex topics, challenge your own assumptions, and develop a more nuanced perspective. By engaging in these dialogues, we aim to cultivate a space where members can enhance their analytical skills and embrace thoughtful reflection, all while contributing to a richer and more informed understanding of the world.
Persuasion
We seek to present our opinions in a way that is understandable, sympathetic, engaging, entertaining and persuasive. Engaging in these dialogues offers a unique opportunity to articulate your viewpoints, consider alternative perspectives, and enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
Joy
Each conversation is a chance to enjoy meaningful exchanges that bring us closer together and enhance our collective understanding. We see our events as a way to share joy, humour, fascination, and human connection.
GUIDELINES
This is a dialogue, not a debate
Please come in the spirit of sharing your opinion, listening thoughtfully to others, and doing your part to create a friendly and inquisitive atmosphere. This is not a debate where opposing sides argue and try to win points. This is a dialogue where encourage listening, reflection, and collaborative exploration of the topic.
This is not a science Meetup
We are here discuss philosophical concepts, opinions, perspectives and values. We will not debate about the scientific consensus on empirical matters like climate change, the effectiveness of vaccines, or the implications of quantum mechanics, to name a few examples.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. We appreciate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive space for people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
NAME AND PRONOUN PREFERENCES
If you have specific pronoun preferences or any other requests to help ensure that you feel comfortable and respected, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the event organizer. Your needs and preferences are important to us, and we want to make sure our gatherings are supportive and inclusive for all attendees.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Discussion: Experts4671 Rue Berri, Montréal, QC
* Shoes-Off Venue * *
This venue requires that you remove your outdoor footwear on arrival.* * Feel free to bring food or drinks * *
* * Participation is optional - you can join us to speak or to listen * *Experts: the people who know stuff, unlike us, the sad plebes and laypeople whose opinions bear little weight or significance! If we want to know how the pyramids were built, we should ask an archaeologist. If we want to understand the spread of disease, we ask an epidemiologist. How did our whole universe explode out of nothingness? Ask a cosmologist. Experts are those who have devoted their lives to study, and they are the best people to answer questions within their field.
But how do we normies grapple with the concept of expertise and our pitiable lack of it? We too must formulate our own opinions and make our decisions. Which political party will best represent my interests? Which diet advice should I follow? Which parenting philosphy should I apply in raising my children? Should I follow public health measures as recommended, or follow my own beliefs at the risk of harming my health, and that of others? Experts weigh in, but these decisions are ultimately our own.
When should we defer to experts, and when should we assert our autonomy and disagree? What even makes someone an expert? How do we determine who are the real experts vs the grifters, scammers, quacks, shills, and pseudointellectuals that profit by deceiving us with fake expertise? How do we non-experts navigate the complex world of narrow specialization that we live in?
Join us for fun, friendly and substantive discussion about the important topics of the day. All viewpoints are welcome for this friendly, moderated discussion.
How it Works
Everyone will be invited to share their opinion, share relevant facts and reasoning, and respond to the views of others.Our moderator will ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to speak and that dialogue will be kept respectful. All viewpoints are welcome. After the event, you are invited to stay for friendly, informal discussion if you wish.
Name and Pronoun Preferences
If you have specific pronoun preferences or any other requests to help ensure that you feel comfortable and respected, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the event organizer. Your needs and preferences are important to us, and we want to make sure our gatherings are supportive and inclusive for all attendees.Aren't you worried about having an event with 50+ people?!?
No because there will not be 50 people at the event. On Meetup, many attendees cancel at the last minute, and many are no-shows who skip the event without cancelling. I set the RSVP limit to 55 people, I reduce that limit to 45 in the last two days before the event, and then 20-30 people will actually attend.This allows us to hit our attendance target of 15-30 people, and it ensures that attendees have their spot guaranteed weeks in advance. This makes the guest count inaccurate, but it's the simplest way to provide you a reliable and positive RSVP experience.
Suggested Reading
Any suggestions?Ideals
Please read the Studio 42 Ideals before attending the event:
http://stu42.co/idealsAdmission
Admission is free. We accept donations to help fund our events.Latecomers
Latecomers are welcome but we start promptly at 6:05pm so if you arrive late, you will miss out! - Discussion: Subjective Experience4671 Rue Berri, Montréal, QC
* Shoes-Off Venue * *
This venue requires that you remove your outdoor footwear on arrival.* * Feel free to bring food or drinks * *
* * Participation is optional - you can join us to speak or to listen * *The world of facts can be broadly divided into two categories: objective and subjective facts. Objective facts are those that exist outside of our minds: facts about the world that we can observe and should agree about. Subjective facts are the ones that inhabit our own minds and cannot be shared directly with others: Like whether you enjoyed a given movie, how you remember experiences or events, or judgments that you make about other people.
How can we learn to express our different experiences and opinions to each other? How can we bridge political divides and deal with political polarization? How can we better understand each other's subjective perceptions and our moral disagreements? What do you think about the human condition and our subjective experience?
Join us for fun, friendly and substantive discussion about the important topics of the day. All viewpoints are welcome for this friendly, moderated discussion.
How it Works
Everyone will be invited to share their opinion, share relevant facts and reasoning, and respond to the views of others.Our moderator will ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to speak and that dialogue will be kept respectful. All viewpoints are welcome. After the event, you are invited to stay for friendly, informal discussion if you wish.
Name and Pronoun Preferences
If you have specific pronoun preferences or any other requests to help ensure that you feel comfortable and respected, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the event organizer. Your needs and preferences are important to us, and we want to make sure our gatherings are supportive and inclusive for all attendees.Aren't you worried about having an event with 50+ people?!?
No because there will not be 50 people at the event. On Meetup, many attendees cancel at the last minute, and many are no-shows who skip the event without cancelling. I set the RSVP limit to 55 people, I reduce that limit to 45 in the last two days before the event, and then 20-30 people will actually attend.This allows us to hit our attendance target of 15-30 people, and it ensures that attendees have their spot guaranteed weeks in advance. This makes the guest count inaccurate, but it's the simplest way to provide you a reliable and positive RSVP experience.
Suggested Reading
Any suggestions?Ideals
Please read the Studio 42 Ideals before attending the event:
http://stu42.co/idealsAdmission
Admission is free. We accept donations to help fund our events.Latecomers
Latecomers are welcome but we start promptly at 6:05pm so if you arrive late, you will miss out! - Discussion: The Financialization of Everything4671 Rue Berri, Montréal, QC
* Shoes-Off Venue * *
This venue requires that you remove your outdoor footwear on arrival.* * Feel free to bring food or drinks * *
* * Participation is optional - you can join us to speak or to listen * *As the financial sector has grown over past decades, its influence has grown to impact nearly all other sectors of the economy. Currently, more than 20% of single-family homes are owned by private equity or institutional investors. Private equity firms own many retail businesses and traditional "local" businesses like gyms and restaurants, and in the United States, they own a large share of the healthcare industry.
What are the impacts of the private equity takeover on competition, innovation, and job security? Is financialization a good or and trend? Is it generating value for everyone, or extracting value for the wealthy few?
Join us for fun, friendly and substantive discussion about the important topics of the day. All viewpoints are welcome for this friendly, moderated discussion.
How it Works
Everyone will be invited to share their opinion, share relevant facts and reasoning, and respond to the views of others.Our moderator will ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to speak and that dialogue will be kept respectful. All viewpoints are welcome. After the event, you are invited to stay for friendly, informal discussion if you wish.
Name and Pronoun Preferences
If you have specific pronoun preferences or any other requests to help ensure that you feel comfortable and respected, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the event organizer. Your needs and preferences are important to us, and we want to make sure our gatherings are supportive and inclusive for all attendees.Aren't you worried about having an event with 50+ people?!?
No because there will not be 50 people at the event. On Meetup, many attendees cancel at the last minute, and many are no-shows who skip the event without cancelling. I set the RSVP limit to 55 people, I reduce that limit to 45 in the last two days before the event, and then 20-30 people will actually attend.This allows us to hit our attendance target of 15-30 people, and it ensures that attendees have their spot guaranteed weeks in advance. This makes the guest count inaccurate, but it's the simplest way to provide you a reliable and positive RSVP experience.
Suggested Reading
Any suggestions?Ideals
Please read the Studio 42 Ideals before attending the event:
http://stu42.co/idealsAdmission
Admission is free. We accept donations to help fund our events.Latecomers
Latecomers are welcome but we start promptly at 6:05pm so if you arrive late, you will miss out!
