Category Archives: Jon Catherwood-Ginn

This conversation aims to bridge theory and practice on the subject of dialogue in the public sphere. The authors approach the subject from their distinct areas of study, Theatre Directing & Public Dialogue and Natural Resource Management. This collaboration grows from a mutual investment in the research and implementation of the Livability Initiative, a three-year regional planning project in the New River Valley, Virginia. Since this piece concerns itself with democratic deliberation—a practice dependent on deep listening and honest speaking—the authors have chosen to present their thoughts as a dialogue. The topic of “disruptions” of democratic processes factors significantly into this conversation, but—for the reader’s sake—the authors have promised not to interrupt each other (too much). Continue reading →