Scene from April’s TEDxPeachtree Salon

A Question of Trust: The Impact Across Generations in Atlanta Salon was a great launch of our candid discussion of how local and regional issues around (dis)trust shapes infrastructure, lifestyle, interactions and productivity across Atlanta from the perspective of Millennial, Gen X and Boomer generations. The development of trust is one of the most important elements of the establishment of groups and communities — it can be the difference between social cohesion and social solidarity. Trust can influence people’s attitudes and behaviors, and the effects of these attitudes and behaviors can have lasting impacts.

Our goal for this salon was to develop real solutions to real challenges around the question of trust within our communities. We shared Rachel Botman’s TED talk: “The Currency of the New Economy is Trust” to spur our diverse and intergenerational audience into deep thought. Attendees came up with issues of trust as it relates to public officials, law enforcement, equality in neighborhood growth and the education system. Because of unique generational experiences, the audience was able to leverage its broad life experience in a very open and candid environment, which was well received by all. The group broke into small pods which will focus on the key issues and their thoughts on the solution over the coming months.  The TEDxPeachtree Salon Squad will vote on the pod that makes the most progress on implementing their solution and they will be invited to present at the annual TEDxPeachtree event in November.