Rabelesian Philanthropy Conference Flops

Albert at White Courtesy Telephone seconds my call for a Rabelaisian Breakout Group at a Philanthropy Conference, perhaps under the overarching theme of social justice, the role of the fool, or the unbearable lightness of being of earnest.

Wednesday, May 7
LAUGHING AT SOBER VIRTUE
10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
This event is open to all conference attendees.  A small tankard fee may apply.

I showed up and it was just Albert and me. No booze, no munchies, no takers. Scheduling this was a serious gaffe on Albert's part, actually. So we went out and got drunk and disorderly to no redeeming social purpose and ended up in a holding tank with the dregs of human society, until the legal aid from the Council came to bail us out. They made us stand up at breakfast and apologize to the whole conference for making a mockery of the proceedings. "Albert," Gunderson said, "We hold you primarily responsible. Phil is in the insurance business and knows no better, but for you, Albert, we had higher hopes....."

Comments

[Albert]

I don't know, Phil. Maybe Rabelais was just too "old Europe."

[Phil]

Well, I do have a Ben Franklin outfit and wig. And a school bell. I can stand in the hallways and usher people back into the conference rooms? Would that be satire? Or business as usual?

[Albert]

Might work, although they did the Franklin thing in Philadelphia, complete with a call from the dais for three "huzzahs." I was going to suggest that we applaud our own good works, but that's been done too. Two thousand characters in search of an author.

[Phil]

Did you hear Gunderson say, "What we have most to contribute to society is not our money but our vision?" I thought I read somewhere that he said that. I would settle for money, actually.

[Albert]

Scientists at Lawrence Livermore recently suggested that vision be declared a fifth essence since it apparently fills all of space.

[Phil]

Johari Window? The Unknown Unknowns?