Step 1: get someone to read out this conversation catalyst….
Dr Cornel West suggests a society can be measured by the way it treats the weak and vulnerable. Currently, our way of sharing global resources is based on power i.e. people receive recources based on their physical, social &/or financial status. Another way to share resources is based on equality i.e. all people receive equally. Another way to share resources is based on equity i.e. people receive based on their needs.
Rutger Bregman points out an obvious way to share resources is through taxation. Shortly after World War 2 the marginal tax rate for wealthy earners in the US was 94%. During his term Ronald Reagan slashed the marginal tax rate to 28%, a trend furthered by Donald Trump who also gave tax cuts to the wealthy. In Australia, 66 millionaires paid no income tax in 2018-19 and 156 people earning between $1/2-1million also paid no tax. That said, tax minimisation is not just for the rich as this door in regional Australia testifies…
Are those who say “the government needs to do more” the same people willing to pay more tax so the government can do more?!
At the centre of much change are enjoyable, informative and inspiring conversations.
Step 2: how does hearing that make everyone feel?
Go around each person in turn and get their feelings associated with the Convo Catalyst… with NO interruptions, responses or comments from anyone else.
NOTE: feelings are often described by short, simple words e.g. I feel sad, happy, hungry, annoyed, excited. They are emotions and what we feel deep in our bodies.
Step 3: what are everyone’s thoughts?
Go around in turn again and get each person to share their thoughts associated with the Convo Catalyst… again with NO interruptions, responses or comments from anyone else.
NOTES: thoughts are often ways to explain a feeling e.g. I’m feeling sad because my dog died; I’m feeling happy because it’s my birthday; I’m feeling angry because someone cut me off in traffic; I’m feeling hungry because I missed dinner
Step 4: Go around the group again and ask questions of others.
Get each person to ask questions of others… being curious about what others have said. Ask questions that are less about what they said and more about WHY they said it e.g. why do you hold that belief?
Step 5: Open the floor to random free-flowing discussion
And amidst the discussion… get everyone to agree on a summary of the conversation!