"What really is appropriate to discuss out here in the streets...." echoed out of Melkor as he stood on his soap box. Any and all passing by stopped dead in their tracks to look and listen. Seeing he had their attention he continued..

"Seriously folks, what really is appropriate to talk about out in these streets. Is it just for sharing stories, informing the masses on things going on in this thing of ours, and posing questions that mobsters across the nation can partake in discussing and debating?"  Melkor pauses while he lets everyone swish the question around the noggin' before continuing..

"I've gone through journals left behind by my ancestors that talk about thriving streets, and also periods of people claiming the streets are dead. So my question is what really is appropriate for us members of this thing of ours to discuss out here, that could spice up and bring life to these streets without beating the same dead horse?

Seriously folks, what really is appropriate to talk about out in these streets. Is it just for sharing stories, informing the masses on things going on in this thing of ours, and posing questions that mobsters across the nation can partake in discussing and debating

Well you've just posed a question out here that mobsters can partake in discussing and debating....sooooo.........

I think it is all of those things, some may interest you some may not, listen to the ones that do and ignore the ones that don't....the community as a whole shapes the streets. Ignoring that with little or no substances is as powerful as giving a structured reasoned reply in many cases. 

The streets are free for any and all - quality speaking is a skill you can hear those that are learning to find their voice and the community can be patient - you can also hear the drunk ramblings on street corners of individuals recounting a dream or a vision too, I tend to walk on by when hearing and seeing that.

The streets are diverse but being discerning on what falls to your ear and then having some judgement about if you can add value to it is what most seek. It will never be perfect...nor should it be in my humble opinion...

Constantine had been away from discussions as of late. He was off doing whatever the helll he did to fill his time, including finding trouble in all the wrong places.

He wasn't not informed though, as his associate Anthony was always stumbling upon whispers and the happenings on the streets. He kept his moustache to the ground, and sniffed out what was buzzing about on peoples minds.

Cause with words came thoughts, and with thoughts came access to a whole heap of shit if you knew how to tap into it. And as John approached the street speaker and listened, the topic of thoughts stayed with him.

"Well mister street speaker, I have an opinion on that. I say whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Or someone did. It makes sense though don't it, like buying a copy of The Potato to kill the asshole fever."

John tapped his right forefinger against his own noggin.

"It's all here mate. Up top. In the bottomless recesses of creativity. The problem is, some are a little too caught inside a mental box called social conditioning. That's what has the same shit out here, yet it's not always a bad thing and some topics just blow back through with the changing climate."

"But to answer your question of what's appropriate it's pretty much upto the creativity of the mind itself. If you can step outside the confines of the status quo, there is much more scope, in fact, it's limitless."

I admit, coming out here with an original topic is difficult since the majority of bloodlines will have come across these same conversations, someones father, grandfather, great grandfather will have mentioned in their journals something about some kind of discussion around whoring, street activity and other topics that we're well used to.

This doesn't mean though, that they're not worth saying, sometimes people use new approaches to these discussion, sometimes people need reminding of these discussion as standards may slip. The whoring discussion recently reminded me of a time when people who whored were publicly shamed by a Don called Achilles, at the time it was something that hadn't been done in that sort of way but it was a new idea brought up around an age old discussion.

So yes, while the streets may be full of dead horses being beaten, there's nothing stopping people coming up with something original, it just takes a bit more brain power than most are used to.

The same topics allow repeating until they are solved, so let's bring on those dead horses until we find a solution.

Other than that, my advice would be to address things for what they are. Don't talk about how people talk bullshit on the streets. Just say it; Jaryll, whateverer the fuck point you try to get across, it's irrelevant. Say it, because that's the moment we can have real conversations. Speak sharp instead of calculating to seem smart and survive.

In the end I believe every message is appropriate as long as you deliver it in the right way.

One thing for sure which is quite hard is coming up with new topics for discussion and debate.

Its getting harder by the year, as many ancestors of these shores before hand have brought up such things time and time again, but I think that the way people execute their point across can be some what refreshing at times. 

These streets are used for so many things. Most of them you have mentioned Melkor, I think most topics are appropriate honestly, as long as you come out with such topics with respect, integrity and good ol fun, just like you did here. 

"As has been said in the past. You can say almost anything you like in these streets, if you say it the right way. Its all in the approach. Just as Tsu was talking on another corner about knowing people and how to deal with them. The streets are a similar animal. If you are around them enough, you'll get a pretty strong feel for how to approach even the most controversial of subjects and have it intelligently discussed."

Taking a dollar from his pocket, he hands it to a wide eyed kid that had been standing right next to him and staring. Sending him off to collect a coffee so he can continue to make his point without distraction.  

"Don't get me wrong. If you say something truly offensive to one of the great and powerful, you can probably expect a bullet. But in terms of general topics for discussion, a little thought about how to put your point across will buy you all kinds of room to move."

"See now I think you're just playing funny buggers and beating a dead horse with that question. Take a walk around. Have a look about. Immerse yourself, then you'll be able to answer that. If someone has to ask, then they are either a blind man or not out here amongst it enough."

"A blind man though would have other senses to experience the streets with. And to fix not being out here enough, she's a simple one mate. Beat the feet and walk the streets."

"First hand experience is better than second hand anything, in my books."

Now see, I thought that was a thoughtful follow-up, John. We all don't think alike. What may seem like a great speech to me, may not be to you.   Some may say the Streets are thriving these days, other may think the folks out here storytelling are full of crap. 

Points at the kid with the cups game. "That little shit ripped me off. I don't like him. Someone else probably adores him...although I'm not sure who, because he never lets anyone win," she mumbles disgruntedly.

"Kids shit me to be Frank, and I'd really love another name than John. So I can't disagree there, fountain lady. Got me a nice little shitheap by the way. Cheers for the help."

John was serious, it was a shitheap, but better than his other living quarters. A move up in the hang the hat department to match his growing charm. 

"I also have to agree, we all have our own likes and dislikes. Now if the speaker here asks others for theirs instead of making up his own from first hand experience, what does he really like or dislike? It's a bit lazy in my opinion. And he'll only be spewing some other persons opinions."

"You can talk all day about shit, but it aint make it worthwhile. It just becomes another fluffy bunny conversation. Quite ironic, given he wants to know some new topics to talk about, no?"

"When you're standing on a pier asking others about how the water is below, what do you think they are gonna say to ya? Unless they love the sound of their own voice, they'll say jump in and see for yaself."

"So I say, have a gander about, then you'll probably have something to say and will have made up an opinion first hand. Hell, he'd probably find amongst it a new topic for his next adventure out here."