General Knowledgespeaking topic
Let's talk about the birth of jazz and the freedom African American culture brought to music. Why was improvisation a form of rebellion?
— The birth of jazz
practice with this topic
Set the timer (5-30 min), take 20 seconds of prep if you like, start talking. Jot your thoughts onto the sticky-note board.
similar topics
- In Japan the numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky because they sound like the words for 'death' and 'suffering'; many hospitals have no fourth floor. A number's badness has nothing to do with mathematics, only with sound in that language. If numbers are supposed to be universal, why does fear of a number change from culture to culture?
- When the potato reached Europe it was scorned; then it exploded the population and may well have fed the Industrial Revolution. But when Ireland became dependent on a single potato variety, famine killed millions. One tuber can both multiply crowds and destroy them. Is relying on a single food a source of power or a trap?
- Why do debates about the origin of language still rage on? Did the ability to speak shape human thought, or did thought give birth to language?
- Mineral or chemical sunscreen? Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide physically reflect light, while chemical filters absorb it and convert it to heat. Which is the right choice for your skin and for the ocean, and why?
- Willpower or environment for building habits? Willpower runs out, but redesigning your surroundings (putting the chocolate out of sight) changes behavior for good. Why is forcing yourself the weakest strategy?