The Art of Gathering: Response

Although we read the first four chapters, there was a particular section about hosts and guests that stuck out to me as really unique and compelling.

In Chapter 3, "Don't Be a Chill Host," we read a section called Half-Egyptian, Half-German Authority. Parker described a friend, Nora Abousteit, who practices generous identity- something of which I had never heard. Until now, I would have considered this term almost paradoxical...how often do you see people in today's world using their authority to protect others?

I feel like it's a rather obvious concept once you read into Nora's practices in hosting brunches to which people aren't allowed to show up late or to catch up with old friends- duh, it's like the role of a classroom teacher or an orientation leader or even a coach. All of these figures share the same goals of 1) getting people to meet each other and 2) getting them to take care of each other. In Nora's case, she utilizes two different parts of her cultural identity to meet the needs of the group when promoting these objectives. I thought that was also a very unique way to consider leadership and authority as well: everyone has an individual style of connecting others.