[Tuesday] Discussion: Consent

**Join our discord:** [https://discord.gg/sXmd8MRvmr](https://discord.gg/sXmd8MRvmr) **Consent** is about respecting each person's right to make decisions about their own body, boundaries, time, and participation. While it is often discussed in the context of physical or sexual relationships, consent also plays an important role in everyday interactions—such as sharing personal information, offering advice, physical affection, or making decisions that affect others. It involves communication, mutual understanding, and the freedom to say yes or no without pressure. In this discussion, we'll explore how consent shows up in different parts of life, what makes it meaningful, and how we can better respect one another's boundaries. 1. What does consent mean to you beyond simply saying “yes” or “no”? 2. In what areas of everyday life do we often overlook the importance of consent? 3. What makes it easier—or harder—for someone to say no? 4. How can we tell the difference between genuine agreement and agreement influenced by pressure or expectations? 5. What role does communication play in creating meaningful consent? 6. Can consent be assumed in close relationships, or should it always be actively considered? 7. How do power dynamics affect a person's ability to freely give or refuse consent? 8. How should we respond when someone changes their mind after previously agreeing to something? 9. Have ideas about consent changed over time? If so, what has influenced that change? 10. How can we respect someone's boundaries without taking their boundaries personally? 11. What can we do to create environments where people feel comfortable expressing what they do and don't want? These are just some of the questions we will discuss during our meetup. No preparation needed, just bring yourself and a willingness to listen and share your thoughts. The meetup will be structured in a way to promote small group discussion so everyone has a chance to listen, be heard, and really dive into the discussion. \- \- \- \- \- \#\# How our discussions work * **Each meetup has a clear topic and guiding questions.** We stay with them so everyone gets the conversation they came for. * **This is a reflective discussion, not a debate.** The focus is understanding and exploration rather than persuasion or winning an argument. * **We speak from personal experience.** Sharing is encouraged; judging, correcting, or speaking over others isn’t. * **We move one question at a time.** Related thoughts are welcome when they support the question we’re exploring. * **We share the space.** Everyone has a chance to speak, and no one is expected to dominate or perform. * **We listen generously.** Curiosity, presence, and openness matter more than certainty. * **This is a non-political, non-outrage space.** The emphasis is on reflection and connection, not debate or escalation. We'll arrange tables of 6 participants each. When you arrive, please gather at the main atrium - we'll be at the tables between big windows and the palm trees. Once enough people are assembled, I'll escort each group of 6 to their table to begin the discussion, and continue doing this as more participants arrive. Each table will receive a sheet containing the topic description and discussion questions. Feel free to take a photo or refer to the event page to have your own copy handy. The official event time is from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, but some of us stay longer, transitioning into informal conversations beyond the topic. You're welcome to join any other ongoing discussions once your initial group wraps up and members start leaving. Group: New York Interesting Conversations Group page: https://www.meetup.com/new-york-conversations Hosts: Marek Going: 22 / 100 spots Group members: 6,882 Recurring: Every 2 weeks on Tuesday until February 28, 2027 Official listing: https://www.meetup.com/new-york-conversations/events/315847842/