coffee and society

Several elite universities are offering courses studying the effect coffee has on humanity and our society, some professors even move their classroom to their local starbuck cafe, discussing philosophy, politic, art, and everyday life with the students while sipping on their steaming hot mocha latte. it reminds me a lot of Socrates, who challenged and enlightened young people on local Athenian streets. But take a look at our local starbuck, tables are scattered out, coffee drinkers, either come with group or solo, pretty much only engage in their own business, it would be odd to see some stranger approaching you for some ramdom chat, people's sense of privacy is like an invisible wall building up between us. Even though our physical bodies are within close proximity, our mind are millions of light years apart. Especially in the suburb of southern California, where people live within their own confines of house, car, and office. so, I have this idea, when someday I get all rich and free, I will open up a little coffee shop of my own, and the decor will be much more chatter-friendly, instead of spreading individual tables around, I will set up a big circle bar area with counter stools, it will be a snug and homey space, where people sit and rub elbows with strangers on the same table. I will invite local scholars, artists, and business people to hold seminars, discussions, or workshops in my shop, I will dispense thoughtful little gifts to my customers on the holidays, and I will organize small book clubs to engage young people in reading and writing......a place that will bring the community together, a place filled with laughter and peace, a place where people would really let their guard down, reach out, and see each other as human beings who are also made with blood and flesh.