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Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer
There are probably far more "great" thinkers today than there ever have been. It would be nothing for me to name off 10 or 20 names of people I consider great thinkers that are alive today
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Could I hear your top 10 then? Obviously it's going to be subjective so I'll offer no criticism of your choices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer
literacy rates that are close to 100% in developed countries
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I think it depends on where you get your figures. This
list on wikipedia shows the UK & the US as having 99% literacy however
other reports show 1 in 5 in the UK have severe problems reading (
similar story in the US). My wife teaches people with literacy issues so I believe the truth may be closer to the latter.
Maybe it boils down to a person's definition of literate. Is it someone who can recognise simple words? someone who can read a book? someone who actually has read a book? or someone who reads for pleasure and who can discus the ideas found within them?
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Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer
Twitter, Google Hangouts and Reddit Ask Me Anythings (AMAs) have made great thinkers available to chat with. Reddit AMAs in particular have featured a ton of famous scientists, actors, politicians and astronauts
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I'm not sure I'd find it particularly enlightening talking with actors though I'm sure they have great stories to tell. Politicians certainly don't fall into the "enlightened thinkers of our time" category either - I'd probably pay not to sit at the same table! Astronauts are certainly brave and would have fascinating stories but again, I don't think that makes them great thinkers.
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Originally Posted by Ninjalawyer
People also mention TED talks, but actually just watching TED talks won't provide a back-and-forth conversation. For that, they would need to attend a TED talk in-person; being at a TED conference in-person is a much different experience and lets famous thinkers and common folk mingle and chat for hours, so is probably closer to the "salon" idea some are thinking of.
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To attend the next conference in Vancouver costs roughly $7500 + hotel bills + travel. I don't need to be a genius to know that's a bit steep to hope that some of their genius might rub off.