Archived Announcements

Still living and growing

Although I haven't posted in a while, it's still evident that the YTS is still living and growing. We are still pursuing are projects as dutifully as before, some of them with great progress:

1) We have established 2 school chapters of the YTS, one in Foothill under Director Inna and one in Las Lomas under Director Brett. They are both lively and well run and hopefully will continue to grow.

2) I haven't gotten to developing the website much recently, but I encourage everyone to continue to use the forum and check the website. I guess it's my fault for not having updated frequently, but hopefully in the future you will look to the website as well as the e-mails (later, an e-newsletter) for news.

Actually, a while back my sister's friend, who works for Facebook, visited and gave me the lowdown on how PHP works, which I believe is what Facebook uses for its site. He also lended me a book, and I hope I can get some functioning prototype soon. Ha, maybe if the "intellectual teen networking site" turns out well (with you guys as guinea pigs), we can sell it to Facebook or Britannica or something :). But really, it's a challenge to make a networking site a reality because there's so much technical knowledge required, and I have to learn that from ground up.

3) We can now accept check donations! Please make the check payable to "The Young Thinkers' Society." Any amount is graciously accepted.

As you all know, Salons are going well, with gradually increasing membership, and more updates on the Lecture Series soon! I guess we need publicity for the Lecture Series, so pretty soon you'll see this site transformed into a big advertisement for the Lecture Series. I guess. We'll also have to get a lot of print publicity.

And if you haven't noticed, I guess we've stopped doing the summaries of the Salon. Anyone interested in taking up the job? Besides me? I'm busy. :/

--Seanan Fong, Chair, November 28, 2006

Extension into schools

Phew! With school starting and all, I've been so busy, but I'm excited to talk about about three YTS projects going on now:

1) We are planning to establish clubs (chapters) of the YTS into schools that current members now attend. PRO Brett is establishing the Las Lomas High Chapter of YTS, while others are trying to establish clubs in their own schools. We are waiting to see if we can annex Inna's Philosophy Club.

2) The website is soon going to enter its next phase of expansion. Right now, I am working with ITO Tania to plan a new "intellectual-networking" site for teens (kind of like MySpace and Facebook, but intellectually-oriented).

3) Treasurer Stephen is working to expand the treasury so that hopefully we can get some merchandise (including shirts) to promote YTS. Also, we could also use some funding for the Salon and stock up for future events.

More details can be found at our Wiki, where I've outlined our business plan. E-mail me for the password.

One last thing: I realize that I will soon be needing help as the Society grows, so the Secretary will be chosen at the next Salon, Sunday, September 24. Everyone, especially candidates, should attend. See you there!

--Seanan Fong, Chair, September 21, 2006

Chair is back

I am back in town now and would like to thank all of you personally for carrying on the Salons with, according to Zack, some success. I would especially like to thank Zack for being the proxy Chair during my absence. I would also like to thank Tania, Masha, Brian, and Katie and whoever else attended the Salons while I was gone.

Now that I am back, we can start to get the Society on the road for Winter Session '06! I encourage everyone to continue participating in the Salons and online on the Forum. I plant to send out e-mails and also invite new members to the Forum to increase activity and add new perspectives to our puzzles.

See everyone next Sunday!

--Seanan Fong, Chair, August 21, 2006

Chair to be absent next 4 weeks

Unfortunately, I will be out of town for the next four Sunday Salons (I shall be at a debate camp, then in China). Zack Davis, the eldest member of the Society, shall preside as a proxy Chair. Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

I would like to encourage the continued use of the Forum; so far the discussion has been so fascinating. We should try to keep it up; I encourage everyone to frequent the Forum, and hope the traffic level rises.

-- Seanan Fong, Chair, July 27, 2006

Elections, business postponed

Aesop advised me: "Grasp at the shadow and lose the substance."

The real substance of our Society is in our Salons, and that's where we shall focus until business itself rears its head up. We have postponed all business and elections to the end of the Summer Session.

-- Seanan Fong, Chair, July 25, 2006

Elections coming up

As you all know, elections are next week: we will vote for officers and for approval of the Society Constitution, which I will post later on in the week. We want the candidates who are best for the job to be named, so all must be keenly tuned in with what is going on before casting votes. Following is a brief description of each officer position along with a list of candidates for each. More detailed descriptions of the roles of officers will be in the Constitution. Voters, please vote based on how well you think each candidate will perform the job she wants.

Important announcement to candidates: Please prepare a short speech for next Sunday that justifies your having the officer position you desire. Pleae also email me a similar short statement.

Chair
The Chair is ultimately responsible for the Society and acts as the chief executive with final say in all Society activities. The Chair maintains the quality, stability, and growth of the Society while keeping the grand vision in mind. The Chair also moderates Salon meetings and is the Society's internal and external voice. The Chair is also responsible to members and handles questions or complaints. The Chair must be extremely dedicated to the Society.
- Candidate: Seanan Fong

Secretary
The Secretary reports directly to the chair and operates the Society's day-to-day functioning, active in member recruitment and all Society activities. The Secretary is also in charge of Society records (member lists, attendance) and thus must be well-organized and efficient while still intellectually active. The Secretary must communicate regularly with the Chair.
- Candidates: Inna Blyakhman, Tania Kohal, Matthew Menard

Treasurer
The Treasurer reports directly to the Chair and handles the Society's funds. The Treasurer organizes fundraising events or solicits sponsorship. The Treasurer must be financially minded and creative while still intellectually active. The Treasurer must communicate regularly with the Chair.
- Candidate: Stephen Shelton

Information Technology Official
The IT Official manages the online and informational aspect of the Society. The IT Official coordinates everyone else who may be helping with the online aspect of the Society and handles the day-to-day upkeep of the website, reporting directly to the Chair. The IT Official also spearheads new programs to stimulate the growth of the Society's online aspect. The IT Official must be proficient in computers and web design.
- Candidate: Tania Kohal

Public Relations Official The PR Official manages the public relations and image of the Society, organizing public events for outsider-member interaction. Besides the Chair, the PR Official is the public face of the Society and works tirelessly to improve its publicity and promote its mission to the public.
- Candidate: Brett Goldstein

-- Seanan Fong, Chair, July 17, 2006

7-16 Salon summary

The Young Thinkers' Society Summer Session Series Salon held July 16, 2006 seemed a smashing success, as 13 students (a sum never previously succeeded) showed to sit and share schemes and sentiments while safely shielded in the shade from the sweltering sun. The first portion of the meeting was devoted to Society business. There was no established policy on how and when to let nonmembers attend Society meetings, complicating the handling of the matter of several non- or new members who attended or wanted to attend the day's Salon. Society Chair Seanan Fong fretted over the "trilemma" (later: a "tetralemma," both terms presumably coined in analogy to "dilemma"). "Are we a hypocrite [sic]?" Fong asked. The matter was further pushed into prominence when Tania Kohal arrived at 2:11, asking "Is it okay if my cousin comes?" By 2:26, there were 13 present at the Salon, setting a new record. Fong led discussion on the future and procedures of the Society until 2:51, despite the judgement of some members that such business could be more efficiently handled online. The normal portion of the meeting was kicked off by Inna Blyakhman, who raised the question of if it would be ethical for doctors to prescribe spiritual practices, should it be proven that such would help patients get better. That was discussed for some time and eventually became a freewheeling discussion of religion vis-à-vis spirituality.

-- Zack M. Davis, Member and volunteer Scribe, July 17, 2006

Watershed 7-16 Salon

Yesterday's Salon meeting marked a new beginning for the Society. For one, it began with an important lesson regarding policy: have one! The complications started when, coincidentally enough, multiple Salon members brought non-members to the Salon. Because we had no standard policy, we let some stay, while unfairly excluding others. I apologize on behalf of the Society to those who were initially turned away (i.e. Marie, who came with invited member Anu).

So here is the new policy: Salon meetings are for Salon members (or potential Salon members) only, and only in extenuating circumstances will exceptions be made.

At yesterday's Salon meeting, we also discussed fundamental concerns regarding the Society itself. Although the option existed to discuss the concerns via email, it was important to discuss them in person so that live objections, consultations and decisions could quickly be made. I am sorry that this took up precious Salon minutes, yet it was vastly important.

The most important decision made yesterday was the transferring of the Society from the my hands, the founder's, into the hands of its members. The Society is now a democracy. The fate of its future lies in all our hands now. In light of the fact that the Salon is a democracy, I am currently writing up the Society's Constitution that will codify the nature, purpose, and rules of the Salon in light of the decisions made yesterday. The Constitution will be the highest governing document in the Salon. We will vote for its ratification next week (2/3 majority needed).

I also am going to write a Founder's Statement, from me.

This post is to be followed up by another one that will announce the officer candidates for election as well as Zack's brief summary of the mysteries-of-the-universe portion of yesterday's Salon.

-- Seanan Fong, Chair, July 17, 2006

7-02 Salon went well

As always, wonderful and loads of intellectual fun. Thanks, Zack, for you summary:

The Young Thinkers' Society Summer Session Series Salon #3 was held July 2 at the usual place and time, and was attended by Society members Marsha Polovets, Inna Blyakhman, Seanan Fong, Brian Hower, Tania Kohal, and Zack M. Davis. The first part of the meeting was dominated by an argument over illegal immigration. Blyakhman argued that nations are analagous to individuals, and are thus justified in setting whatever trade rules are deemed necessary to protect economic interests of the nation as a whole. Blyakhman was opposed by Davis, who contended, among other things, that nations are nothing like individuals. Skeptics dominated the second part of the Salon discussion, which centered on religion. Fong said that many people have misconceptions about all religions that stem from their knowledge about religions in the 'Western' tradition."

Forum Now Online and Ready to Go!

I am pleased to announce the official launching of the Society's new online Forum. The Forum helps with the Society's mission "to promote ... thinking ... within membership by acting as a catalyst for connections, relationships, and discussion via activities such as the Salon or the online Forum." I hope that this represents a new beginning for the Online auxiliary of the Society that will supplement Salons and other Society activities.

Please visit the Forum and create a username. Please make your full real name your username following this format: First name, space, Last name. My user name is "Seanan Fong".

In the Forum, please be respectful and maintain a certain, more formal decorum. Other netiquette rules also apply, and please try to remain on topic as well.

Before exploring the rest of the Forum, please read the Announcements first. After that, feel free to explore and create new topics as ideas, thoughts, or questions come to mind. Enjoy!

--7/3/06

Forum Update

For those who haven't already, please have your username follow this model: first name, space, last name.

I think the forum will be ready to go very soon.

7-02 Salon to be a blast!

Please come with a mind eager to talk, and feel free to bring any food or beverage if you so wish (just to help the Chair out a little). Here are some proposed topics:

- Continuing the debate on Punishment. According to Menard, there are three justifications for punishment: reform, detterence, and justice. I say that there is a fourth: conditioning.
- A closely related subject: Free Will vs. Determinism, and, according to Zack, so-called "Compatibilism."
- Illegal immigration, as per Marsha's request.
- Since Inna will hopefully be coming, we might discuss Affirmative Action.

Although all have been such wonderful members and great participants, I would just like to remind everyone that I take my role as moderator seriously. Therefore, I would just like to refresh a couple rules:
-Please speak one at a time; don't speak when another is speaking. -Kindly let me be a moderator -- I will do my best to allow everyone to have a say, and that all topics that we want to discuss will be covered.

Please let me know if you cannot make this Salon.
(Menard will not be attending. He's in the Bahamas.)
(Katie will not be attending. She's in an archery tournament out of state.)

Website Improvements

I have set up a Young Thinkers' Society Wiki so that we may have a sort of "blank slate" to fill. I'm not sure what to do with it yet, but please email me with suggestions. Also, to participate in the wiki you need the password, which I will give you if you send me an email.

Please hold on with the Forum; it's still in its construction and testing phase. Before I can approve your usernames (Brian, Anu, Zack, or anyone who will create one in the near future), I need to test some thing first. So please hold on -- but feel free to create an account if you so wish. I just ask that you make your username be your birth name and follow this structure: first name, space, last name, e.g. "Seanan Fong." That way, the forum can be more formal and open, and Society members can get to know each other more as people as opposed to cyber-people. Thanks!

Because this website is finally getting going (and I promise to update more often), I want to encourage all Society members to visit it more often so that they may get up-to-date news and retrieve more information. Does anyone think that I should include the location of Salon meetings on the website, or do you think that will just attract stranger-people? Please e-mail me what you think, if you wish.

Also, some people have volunteered to help out with the website. I don't know if I need any help right now, but maybe I will later as the website grows. If anyone would like to help, could you please email me more about what you can do, e.g. your capabilities? Thanks. What I would like now is for everyone to focus on discussion and participation, and hopefully that will grow as much. I look forward to the future of the Society (both online and physical)!

6-25 Salon tries to tackle Punishment

Thank you, Zack M. Davis, for the excellent summary you have provided us:

The Young Thinkers' Society Summer Session Series Salon #2 was held successfully June 25 [...]. Society members Zack M. Davis, Seanan Fong, Brett Goldstein, Brian Hower, Katie Kolodzie, Matthew Menard, and Stephen Shelton encountered a damaged and rosepetal-littered gazebo, but conducted a normal Salon discussion. The first major current of discussion centered on censorship. Around 2:40, the topic turned to that of punishment, specifically the punishment of criminal actions. Three main justifications for punishment were identified: deterrence, reform, and justice, soon followed by a fourth: containment. Much of the discourse was over basic matters of definitions of terms. Fong argued for a separate justification distinct from reform and deterrence: conditioning. Fong was opposed by Menard. A hypothetical scenario involving an electric fence and dogs named Rusty (later: "Sparky"), Terri, and Joey emerged, the details of which need not be recounted in this space. The Young Thinkers' Society Summer Session Series Salon #3 will be held at the usual place and time, Sunday, July 2, 2 p.m., at the Civic Park gazebo.

SEANAN FONG: What's a name for a job where you study classics?
ZACK M. DAVIS AND MATTHEW MENARD: Classicist.

I would like to thank Brett for his ideas on how the Society could be a positive force for non-members as well. I will try to see how we can make these changes within our ability.

6-18 Salon a Success

The June 18 Young Thinkers' Society Salon came off as a dazzling success. With a record of eight attenders, the Salon kick-started this year's Summer Session. The discussion covered all three planned topics, and more: it was everyone vs. Inna in the discussion of hiring employees based on ethnicity-based assumptions. Eventually, Inna's argument was deemed useful and fair, but not necessarily the best choice for a truly ethical employer. All attenders had great fun and enjoyed the wonderful amenities put forth by the generous Salon Chair. Hopefully, I will see all and more of you next week, June 25--same place, same time!