Insight on Conversation - Theodore Zeldin

Theodore Zeldin  is an English philosopher, sociologist, historian, writer and public speaker. He represents to me, the best of an almost bygone era, an optimist, rebel, a provocateur with an impish genius, he combines a passion for social and cultural change with an insatiable curiousity about human nature. He founded The Oxford Muse  described as a 'A Foundation to stimulate courage and invention in personal, professional and cultural life’, an aim with which I fully resonate!

The underrated thoroughly channel through which Zeldin pursues his passion for the betterment of humanity, is that of the medium of conversation. He has many insightful stimulating and wise statements on the subject and one of his critical aims is to engage the public together in meaningful discussions and significant dialogue. Through profound topics and questions, which explore themes such as 'What is most important to me?' he has the aim of using conversation to delve beneath much of the superficiality of modern life. He infers that such communication unearths the immense differentiation and universality of human experience, which can be laid bare through authentic and intimate social intercourse.

Below  an almost revelatory quote by Zeldin concerning the state of public discourse and impact of the polarisation caused by debate;

Unfortunately we are so steeped in debate, proving one’s point and challenging others, that alternative possibilities for interaction are often eclipsed from our view. It is interesting to notice that even when we say we want to dialogue we commonly end up in debate. We appear to have a longing to do something different but the vortex of habit confounds us. As a result our options for building mutual respect, deepening understanding among each other, and creating more beneficial outcomes than we experience currently are severely limited.

The ‘vortex of habit confounds’ is an exquisite turn of phrase and leads to this reader, wishing to apprehend and comprehend the beneficial outcomes that he indicates might occur should the conventions of argument and counterargument be set aside.

Should this topic interest you and the allure of creative conversation appeal, please read my blog on the topic here; 'The Forum for Creative Conversation'   or check out the related event on the GlobalNet 21 21st Century Meet Up website

Forum for Creative Conversations - Initial Topic Creative Conversations

GlobalNet 21
 Forum for Creative Conversations - Topic Creative Conversations

This my second attempt to design an intentional space for generative enquiry structured to facilitate getting underneath the surface of complex issues. This conversation forum aims to provide an opportunity for engaged reflection concerning perplexing contemporary issues.  The launch as part of the well established meet up group Globalnet21 will endeavour to ascertain the parameters of what comprises a creative conversation.

Our current life circumstances seem to necessitate the need to participate in a new type forum, one that involves compelling conversation. Global issues appear to demand an increase and development in human capacity for sophisticated and meaningful communication. The current quality of engagement in the public sphere mostly seems to fall short of this goal. Accordingly this forum is designed with the intention to explore the uses and breadth of conversation as a creative art. If we suspend our pre-digested knowledge and allow ourselves to be curious and insightful, this act of improvisation could allow us to be absorbed together into the spontaneous flow of creative conversation and thus experience the possibility that this new form of engagement can transform the way we approach entrenched problems. 



To initiate today's forum as a pilot we have chosen the topic of Conversation, and will feature the author consultant and expert facilitator Sara Rozenthuler with organisational  consultant and executive coach Jonathan Wilson. Should this forum prove successful future forums would arranged on a series of topics that have strong relevance and resonance with the concerns of GlobalNet21.


This event is intended to be a shared enquiry not a lecture, nor a dissemination of information or even an exposition of expert knowledge, it is intended to be an organic free flowing dialogue. It will be framed around intriguing statements related to creative conversation, which are meaningful to the above respondents. Initially there will be an interlude of exploration by the speakers on topics they submit to each other for their immediate comments and insights. After this unprepared passage of conversation the topic will be opened up to whoever shows up in the room on the day.



In a novel initiative to share and shape the enquiry in the collective space, early in the evening participants, will invited to select from a small prepared range of short statements concerning creative conversation. It is hoped that some may resonate strongly with participants and therefore could be offered to connect these to the emerging conversation or instigate a new thread of exploration when the dialogue is opened to the floor.

Venue - Near Dalston Junction a home address that will be disseminated a week before the forum is due to occur.

Sarah Rozenthuler is a professional psychologist, organisational consultant and published author. She works with individuals and corporations, providing coaching services, workshops in personal transformation and a variety of trainings in individual and collective development.  She specialises in creating whole-system change through generating dialogue, systems mapping and working with the whole person. In 2009, she joined the faculty of the Dialogos 10-month Leadership for Collective Intelligence programme for senior executives Her first book,Life-Changing Conversations, was published by Watkins in March 2012.


Jonathan Wilson describes his career as being characterised by leading change and services through people in very competitive markets. He has worked closely and learned form corporate leaders such as Richard Branson, Michael Bishop, Jan Carlzon and Freddie Laker. Born in the USA, Jonathan has lived in the UK, Germany, and Sweden, with interesting assignments in Africa, gaining a deep appreciation of diversity and culture. He is an expert facilitator executive coach and an expert in the art of conducting purposeful conversations


Dave Pendle the convenor of this forum is a trainer educator and consultant working within the youth homelessness sector and finds his drive to improve these youth’s circumstance has never diminished in 20 years of work in the field. He recently completed his MA dissertation on the phenomenology of leadership development and is fascinated by how this nebulous topic captivates contemporary thought. An committed evolutionary  Dave has pursued a path of personal development for nearly forty years and has developed a keen interest in the transformative benefits of contemplation and philosophical enquiry