We know some people locally who worked in DC for a number of years and used to put on dinners like this. We went to one at their home a couple years ago where t

We know some people locally who worked in DC for a number of years and used to put on dinners like this. We went to one at their home a couple years ago where they had gathered a group from a variety of backgrounds for the purpose of discussion around community issues. While they hadn't filtered an agenda exactly, there had been some guidance on topics included in the invitation. While there are perhaps nuances to how these can be executed, over the past two hundred years since Jefferson I would say other groups have tried to achieve the same outcome through their "salons" and "chautauquas". In our case, the meal was served and casual conversation made, and then we moved into a separate room for a more formal, structured conversation directed by a moderator. It worked well, but also felt a bit like an echo chamber. In our current political environment, I'm really not sure how these types of conversations actually make a difference. For example, in our area we have a group absolutely dedicated to destroying the local libraries and carrying that same mission into our public schools. These people have no intention of compromising or making peace. They don't even care who has the most votes or community support - it's their way or else. You have people attempting to put on community forums and discussions, but I don't see how you come to any resolve when one group has every intention of forming sides and browbeating the other until they get their way.