On the feedback form, some people mentioned being very upset by Solstice because it reminded them that they were lonely or felt like they could be accomplishing more. I do not think anything should change about Solstice itself in response to this feedback, because being reminded that the universe is vast and dark and cold is pretty much the entire point of Solstice.
Ok I don’t know jack about this Bay Area Solstice thing—I’ve never attended one. But as an armchair cultural historian, this is a really weird thing to read. Pretty much the entire point of every “solstice” in every culture ever has been to celebrate the end of winter and the return of light, warmth, spring time, etc. It’s timed to be celebrated at the point in the year when the night gets shorter instead of longer. If this Bay Area Solstice thing is supposed to remind people who attend it that the universe is cold, dark, and lonely… well that’s something you guys invented. Maybe you should take this feedback as a suggestion that it’s not an improvement after all?
Not an expert here, but my understanding is that Rationalist Solstice Advent is supposed to have an Arc. Just like it’s on the longest night of the year, at a time when nights are getting shorter, Solstice reminds you that there is darkness in the universe, and also that together we can find light. The celebration of light would not be as powerful without the reminder of darkness.
Ok I don’t know jack about this Bay Area Solstice thing—I’ve never attended one. But as an armchair cultural historian, this is a really weird thing to read. Pretty much the entire point of every “solstice” in every culture ever has been to celebrate the end of winter and the return of light, warmth, spring time, etc. It’s timed to be celebrated at the point in the year when the night gets shorter instead of longer. If this Bay Area Solstice thing is supposed to remind people who attend it that the universe is cold, dark, and lonely… well that’s something you guys invented. Maybe you should take this feedback as a suggestion that it’s not an improvement after all?
But the actual day of solstice is the first day of winter...
Not an expert here, but my understanding is that Rationalist Solstice Advent is supposed to have an Arc. Just like it’s on the longest night of the year, at a time when nights are getting shorter, Solstice reminds you that there is darkness in the universe, and also that together we can find light. The celebration of light would not be as powerful without the reminder of darkness.