Update November 26th, 2010:
Below are the links to the fireside chat with Tom that took place on November 19th, 2010. The versions below are the same expect that the mpeg-4 version has chapter markers for easy navigation to each question. Both should play fine on iTunes, iPods, and so on. Click to play or right click and save as (control click on Mac).
mpeg-4 version 41MB (with chapter markers)
mp3 version 39MB
Three, one hour sections on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxhgiQnB ... ata_player
After much discussion in
this thread (somewhere around page 9), and with Tom's input and agreement... below you will find the general plan for "A Fireside Chat with Uncle Tom". Suggestions and input are welcome. However, keep in mind that this is the plan that will (for the most part) be used "as is" for this particular event. As of now, the participants and alternates are in place. The event will
not be live, but will be recorded with the goal of sharing the conversations at a later date. It is unknown at this point if other similar events will occur in the future. Step one is to see how this one goes :)
"A Fireside Chat with Uncle Tom"
Core Purpose: A structured, but casual opportunity for those that have read and are familiar with MBT to ask questions, seek input, and attempt clarification at a slightly deeper level of understanding.
Date: TBD - looking at mid-November
Time: 7pm - 10pm central
Number of Participants: 6 + Tom = 7
Current Participants:
Justin
ilisity
AeroLynda123
specialis_sapientia
Bette (?)
Froggy
Alternates:
Vicki
Beth
Astral Explorer
RamonThompson
Sainbury (?)
(this list was created based on the order that people showed interest. Hopefully there will be additional fireside chats.)
General Guidelines:
Questions:
Each participant will submit 3-5 questions one week prior to the event. Please submit all of your questions in one email or PM with the subject as "Fireside Questions." Send one copy of the questions to Tom and one to me as well (I will be helping Tom by monitoring the flow of the conversation and by ensuring that everybody gets an equal amount of floor time).
Question Format Example:
Quote:
From: Justin
Question Heading: Subjective Experience
Question: Is the subjective nature of experience relative to a being's level of entropy or relative to the rule set of the current reality? Or both?
Clarification: It would seem that as we evolve, we would begin to interpret data more consistently with each other. The idea being that lower entropy allows for a more accurate interpretation of the data. It also seems that the rule set of a reality (such as this PMR) creates some consistency (or the illusion of consistency) in terms of our experiences relative to each other. I see a dog run across the street and my friend sees that same.
Note:
The clarification portion of the question does not need to be read during the fireside chat (though it could be if necessary). It is there to help communicate your question more clearly to Tom. These could potentially be some pretty deep questions so this is necessary for clarity.
You may also submit a topic or a personal experience instead of a question that you would like Tom to comment on in relation to the MBT model.
All of the questions will be arranged based on category or in such a way that will encourage the natural flow of conversation.
We may not get to all of the questions, or we may have time for extras... we will go with the flow.
Format:
We will be using skype audio and the skype IM/chat function. Make sure you have a decent mic & headphone set, skype, and a skype account.
Please use headphones only, no speakers. Speakers can create an echo effect.
I will record the fireside chat. A backup version will be recorded by at least one other participant as well.
Be aware of the various noises in your physical location. Lots of little noises (dogs, sniffing, tv, etc) x 6 people will limit the final quality of the audio.
Note: A final edited version will be cut and potentially shared over the internet.
Rules & Etiquette:
We don't need much guidance with this since we are such a highly evolved group! :P.
I may interject as necessary to point Tom to the next question or comment, but otherwise the floor will belong to Tom and only one other person at a time.
Any of the other participants that require clarification, have a question, or would like to share something relevant may use the following format via the skype IM/chat function:
"question- ___________"
Use this when you have a question that comes up but you are not currently speaking with Tom. An example: Tom is answering somebody elses question and mentions something about time in NPMR that confuses you. You could type, "question- about time in NPMR". Try to keep the IM/chat text as short and to the point as possible.
"comment- ___________"
Same as above, but in this case it is a comment instead of a question. An example of this in use might be, "comment- I had related lucid dream experience".
I will continually monitor these comments on the IM/chat function of skype. For the most part, I will hold onto these questions and comments until Tom reaches a natural pause in the conversation and might ask, "Justin, are there any questions or comments up to this point?" I can then point Tom in the direction of the person that had the comment or question. If 3 people typed a similar question, then I may just direct Tom to the question itself, or to one of these 3 people.
In short, use the IM/chat function to raise your hand, and wait until you are called on or until it is your turn to ask one of your submitted questions :)
The use of "question - _________" and "comment - ___________" should be somewhat limited so that the conversation does not become bogged down with too many comments or questions. However, the idea is to encourage an organic flow to some degree. Use good judgment and try to remain aware of how the conversation as a whole is progressing.
Examples of etiquette in use:
Tom: Let's start with the first question on the list. SS had a question related to personal growth, let's start there.
SS: Yes Tom, my question is _________________.
The exchange continues between SS and Tom. During this exchange, Lynda would like some clarification with something that Tom just said about delta-t, so she types, "question- about delta-t" in the skype IM/chat box. I take note of Lynda's IM/chat comment.
Tom reaches a natural pause in the conversation and asks: Justin, are there any questions or comments up to this point?
Justin: Yes, Lynda has a question that is related to delta-t.
Tom: Okay, Lynda what was your question?
Lynda: I'm sorry, did you say that delta-t was ________?
Tom: (provides clarification)
Tom then returns to the original conversation with the questioner.
Tom (taking the next question in line): Okay, ilisity you also had a NPMR related question about _________.
ilisity: Yes, my question was ____________.
Then begins an exchange between Tom and ilisity. During that exchange, SS realizes that he recently had an experience that directly relates to the conversation, so he types, "comment - I had a related OOBE". I take note of this.
When Tom reaches the next natural pause, he checks in with me: How are we doing on questions Justin.
Justin: SS had a comment about a related out of body experience.
Tom: Okay, SS what was the experience?
SS: (explains the experience.)
Tom: (feedback/comments about SS's experience.)
Tom: Okay, let's move on to the next question.
Justin: Tom, I beleive Lynda submitted a question about NPMR strangers that relates to SS's experiences. Did you want to move on to that one now?
Tom: Sure. What was you question about NPMR strangers Lynda?
Lynda: Yes Tom, my question is ____________.
While answering Lynda's question, three of the other participants type something along the lines of "question- AUM does what?" in the IM/chat box. This clues me into the fact that there might be some confusion amongst the group. I might interrupt Tom at the next appropriate pause.
Justin: Tom, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think that the group might need some clarification with something that you just said related to AUM.
Tom: Okay, what was the confusion?
Justin: Let's see... ilisity was one of the questioners. Maybe he can start it off?
So ilisity states the question and Tom responds.
Tom: Did that clear everybody up?
Justin: Bette and SS also had a AUM related question. Bette, did that clear it up?
Bette: Yes, thank you.
Justin: SS?
SS: Yes, but I'm still wondering about how AUM _______________.
Tom clarifies for SS.
Tom: Okay, what was our next question on the list.
(I notice that Froggy has not had a chance on the floor with Tom yet.)
Justin: Tom, Froggy hasn't had a chance on the floor yet, he had a submitted question related to AUM as well.
Tom: Okay, Froggy what was you AUM question?
... and so on.
Final Notes:
We will make any necessary adjustments as we go.
Tom, if he chooses to do so, may ask us questions as well :)
Thanks,
Justin