I truly love the concept of the 'big picture'. But in this climate of 'spam filters' it isn't reaching enough of those who need to see it. I would love to say, for a forum such as this: the hell with spam filters - get people out there who don't necessarily have the 'contribute' meme active get this forum put before them.

Yes, I'm what might be considered an 'overactive' contributor. And I challenge anyone within this forum who have already contributed to say to their friends: "Dig in. We want to have a say in the world. There are already major people who have had some input here. Is it not possible for those here to not only have a contribution in the world but are willing to share it publicly?"

Perhaps I am overestimating the ability for this forum to have a real effect. Perhaps I am waisting time better served to my own work. For some reason, that I don't quite understand, I don't think so.  I suppose part of that *un-understood* reason is the same effect I get when I mentor or advise someone I see of having promise.

And I *do* contribute locally - as either a mentor, a gadfly to my artistic friends, or a personal contributor. I don't live in this forum as a vacuous intellectual misanthrope. All of my contributions here are subsequent to and in accordance with my own philosophical system.

And I am making a rather broad assumption: that the majority of people here are contributing actively within their own particular part of the world at large, and not just showing up to throw a verbal nickel into the internet version of Ellis Island. One can only hope. 

Hello. This is from Dianne. ( Chicago ).

Big Picture is a fine idea, and a Salon is needed. We should engage in the exchange of ideas. By the way - I am one of the poorer members, I believe, for I am participating for free, on a public computer. Therefore, the idea of engaging ALL types of citizens is an important thing.

My ideas for future "Salons" would be:

1. The possibly dangerousness of BPA ( Plastics, plastic bottles, plastic everywhere ) and the fact that we survived with glass bottles, metal gadgets, etc. for decades, and people seemed healthier in eras past. ( I refer to, say, children, in the fifties - me, for example - who played outside, ate no junk food, but did eat eggs, etc. )  Well, you get the "picture"...

2. The idea of abolishing the IRS, which Mike Huckabee proposes, and the fact that Thomas Paine warned us of rulership by Royal families, and the fact that the super-rich, and the political families, have taken over leadership in our country. Poor people cannot participate, or run for office. Or can they?  Good discussion topic. 

Thanks.