A study by Boeing back in the 80’s found that 18% of Americans were afraid to fly. Some say that today the number is higher, not lower. Which leads me at ask… are you?
This week’s meeting theme is: Fear of flying. What is this fear? What are treatments for getting over it? And, frankly, who is the less rational – those who are afraid to fly, or those who are not???
(Why did I pick this theme, this week? Because it’s something that I think about when I get on a plane, and I was just on a plane.)
If you are afraid of flying, how do you think you developed that fear? If you’re not, how do you think you avoided developing it? What is the funniest story you have about someone afraid (or just anxious) to fly? For example, during turbulence, or a bumpy liftoff or landing.
We have 2 speeches lined up, and a workshop on being Toastmaster (ie, chairing a meeting). Look forward to a great meeting!
Cheers,
Peter
P.S. Some famous people afraid of flying:
- Stanley Kubrick (which I found ironic, because he was producer of 2001: A Space Odyssey)
- David Bowie (which I found ironic, because he sang Space Oddity aka “Major Tom to Ground Control”)
- Ritchie Valens (Google him if you don’t know his story… enough said)
I love my iPhone. If you own one, how do you feel about it? Don’t you love the way it feels in your hand (not to mention in your pocket)? Isn’t it just the most beautiful, the most sexy thing you’ve ever owned?
No? Then I feel for you.
For our meeting theme, we will explore technological fetishism as exemplified by the latest generation of personal data and communication device.
What does passion mean to you? What are you passionate about? How did you come to be passionate about that subject, person or object? Is passion a matter of intrinsic brain patterns, fate or choice?
This evening we’re going to investigate a few of the shades and connotations of passion and how it affects our lives. Please join us as we explore this fascinating topic!
When you hear the words “politically incorrect,” what is the first sentence that runs through your mind? Is political correctness a cultural characteristic of Canada? Is it a historical movement that changed North America? Is it a set of behaviours or a way of speaking? What is it really? What is the truth about political correctness? Is it a good thing?
If you were told that you must be politically CORRECT all the time, how would you feel? Would you happily accommodate such a requirement or would you rebel?
These questions and more form the framework for our theme on Thursday night; come share and explore.
Do you realize that every day you consume genetically modified foods? So, how does that make you feel? (And no, this week’s theme is not psychotherapy…) Many of you probably feel like waving your fists and yelling absurdities to the lot that came up with genetic engineering in the first place. But what about the importance of disease-resistant crops or fortified foods for third-world countries?
This week we will explore the good, the bad and the ugly with regard to genetic engineering and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). I’m sure many of you feel strongly about this issue.
By the way, did you know that insulin used by diabetics is synthesized by E. coli bacteria?
We just had the election of VOLUNTEER execs for our club.
That’s right, we all belong to a volunteer-run organization.
So many things in our community wouldn’t happen without volunteers…!!
For example, fundraising for disease research, cultural events (all those festivals popping up this season), food, shelter, treatment for those in need …
Having lived in 3 countries, I bring 3 completely different perspectives of volunteering that I will share with you this Thursday.
What does volunteering mean to you?
Do you (or have you ever) volunteer(ed) for anything? Why (not)?
“Creativity is kind of like pornography — you know it when you see it,”
Rex Jung, Research Scientist
Mind Research Network, Alburquerque, New Mexico
As Toastmasters we all know creativity when we experience it – it’s embodied in that moment each of us is engaged by a speech or presentation that goes beyond the ordinary. But how do we open ourselves to making more of those moments by being creative? What is creativity exactly?
One possible definition of creativity is the ability to combine novelty and usefulness in a particular social context. But is that all there is to it? What happens if someone has a brilliant idea that’s a failure in a particular social context – is the idea inherently not creative or might social change resistance play a role in its failure? An alternate definition suggests that creativity is the ability to restructure one’s understanding of a situation in a non-obvious way. Creativity may not only involve coming up with something new, but also require shutting down the brain’s habitual response, or letting go of conventional solutions.
For the theme this week, I’d like us to explore creativity – are we all getting enough or can we hook ourselves up with more? How do we do that?
I’m so glad to be back! The past two weeks felt so long to me.
This week’s theme is inspired by my recent trip - the new culture shock I got from my own country. China has become almost unrecognizable in the past 2 decades. I will share my experiences with you at the meeting, and why I wish you ‘enough.’
The second half of the meeting will be taken up by the ‘moment of truth’ club evaluation.
For those of you who are lucky enough to own real estate with a price that defies the laws of gravity, this may be of interest. For those of you who keep watching the price go up and are cursing Sir Isaac Newton for not telling you it applies only to objects you throw up into the air and not the laws of Greed and Avarice and other 10 commandment how-do-you-dos ….well, it may be of mild interest.
What do you think about the Vancouver real-estate market? Will it go up, down or sideways?
See you Thursday,
Garrett
