We Don't Talk Anymore: Why Our Town Needs More Face-to-Face Conversations

Joel Pennington: Social media may spark conversations, but Owen Sound’s resilience depends on rebuilding real dialogue in our parks, porches, and community events.

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Park benches. Front porches. Around the fire. At the hairdresser or barber. The Farmers’ Market. Exercise clubs. The library. Community gatherings. Potlucks. Cafes. The bus stop.

DMs on Insta. Comments on TikTok. Facebook posts. Memes on X.

We’re increasingly having important debates and conversations on the latter list rather than the former. I fear we believe social media spaces are for us when we know they are corporately owned, commodified spaces with often very problematic, powerful leaders at the helm whose intentions are questionable at best.

But I’m not here to preach an anti-social media message. I’m here to propose that we intentionally move important dialogue to the former list.

The beauty of the spaces in the first list—the park benches, the front porches, the fire pits—is that they’re truly ours. They’re simple, often free, and deeply human.

These spaces allow for nuance, connection, and shared understanding. When you’re face-to-face, you can hear the tone of someone’s voice, see their expressions, and feel their presence.

There’s less room for misunderstandings and more room for empathy.

But it’s not just about the quality of conversation—it’s about reclaiming the community fabric that physical spaces weave.

When we chat at the library or exchange recipes at a potluck, we’re not just talking; we’re building trust, strengthening relationships, and deepening our sense of belonging. These interactions help us see each other as fellow humans.

We, as a community, need to build the tangible, grounded connections that make small towns like Owen Sound resilient and vibrant.

So, how do we start?

1. Regularly go to community events. If you don’t know where to start, try Solidarity Sundays at the Harmony Centre - 10:30-12pm. Try Contra dancing on the first Saturday of every month. Give your items new life and make new friends at the Repair Cafe on the second Saturday of every month.

2. Make public spaces part of your routine. Be a regular at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. Be intentional about how you move around the city, do you need to drive? Can you walk, bike, or bus there? Is there a scenic route through a community garden or park?

3. Embrace the unknown. Once a month, go somewhere in the city you’ve never been before. Ever got a meal and made a donation at OSHaRE? Ever been to a M'Wikwedong event? Ever been to a City council meeting? Gotten creative at GB Maker Space, Intersections Wood Collaborative or GB Arts?

4. Have hard conversations in person. I heard this wisdom recently - There’s no ‘right’ way to have a hard conversation. You only either have them or you don’t. You’ll feel a more complete human if you do. And the more you do, the easier they become.

Our community—and our relationships—will thrive when we prioritize the spaces where we can truly see and hear each other. If we continue to sit in silos and troll each other online, our town will deteriorate alongside our relationships.

If you want to talk to me about any of the above, come and chat with me IRL. 😊

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