Can We Be Free in a World Full of Rules?

Preparation for this single session is designed to take under two hours. No prior experience with the author, the work, or the ideas it raises is expected. Come curious, ready to reflect, and open to hearing how others respond. In this single session, we will use Herman Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener, a strange, darkly funny story about work to dig into questions of obligation, conformity, and refusal.

Bartleby’s quiet declaration, “I would prefer not to,” unsettles the office around him and raises questions that remain deeply relevant. What do we owe the systems we live and work within? When does refusal become resistance? How should we respond when another person will not behave as expected?

Together, we will explore the tension between individual freedom and social responsibility, as well as the limits of empathy, authority, and care. The goal is not to arrive at a single interpretation, but to use Melville’s story as a starting point for a rich conversation about work, power, isolation, and what it means to live alongside people we do not fully understand.

What is a Premise session? A Premise session is a guided conversation about one enduring life question, sparked by a short work of literature, film, art, or ideas. A trained facilitator leads the group through a structured discussion designed to make room for curiosity, reflection, disagreement, and genuine connection.

There are no lectures, grades, or right answers. The goal is not to reach a consensus, but to think more deeply together.

How much preparation is expected?

Preparation is designed to take under two hours and usually involves one short story, essay, film, or small collection of works.

We keep the preparation manageable while giving everyone a shared starting point for a rich conversation.

You will receive the materials and instructions after you register.

Do I need previous experience with the author, work, or question?

Premise welcomes both people encountering the material for the first time and people who have spent years thinking about it. Beginner eyes and deep experience both bring something valuable to the conversation.

What happens during the session?

The facilitator will introduce the central question and guide the group through a series of prompts connected to the reading, film, or artwork.

Participants are invited to share their own interpretations, questions, and experiences, while also making room for the perspectives of others. We prioritize listening and inquiry over debate, performance, or proving a point.

Do I have to speak?

We hope everyone will participate, but you will never be pressured to speak before you are ready. Listening and reflection are also meaningful forms of participation.

Our facilitators are trained to create a conversation where no one person dominates and everyone has a chance to contribute.

What if I do not finish the preparation?

Please do your best to complete the preparation so the group has a common foundation. If you fall a little short, you can still attend, but the conversation will be more meaningful for you and everyone else if you have engaged with the full work.

Is this a class, book club, debate, or group therapy?

No.

It is not a class. There are no lectures, grades, or experts telling you what to think.

It is not a traditional book club. The work is a shared starting point, but the conversation centers on the larger human question it opens up.

It is not a debate. You do not need to defend a position or persuade anyone.

It is not group therapy. Premise is not a clinical setting and is not designed to provide mental health or crisis support.

A Premise session is a facilitated conversation that is structured, welcoming, intellectually alive, and deeply human.

These questions sound serious. Will the session still be enjoyable?

Yes. Premise conversations are thoughtful, but they are also warm, lively, surprising, and often funny.

You do not need to arrive with a polished opinion or say something profound. Come curious and ready to meet other people who enjoy thinking together.

Can I come alone?

Absolutely. Many participants arrive without knowing anyone else.

Premise is designed to make it easier to move beyond small talk and connect through a shared question. You will have something meaningful to talk about from the moment the session begins.

What should I expect from an online session?

Online sessions bring together curious participants from different communities and locations. You will receive the Zoom link after registration.

We encourage participants to keep their cameras on when possible because seeing one another helps create a more personal and connected conversation. We ask everyone to remain muted when they are not speaking to reduce background noise.

What should I expect from an in-person session?

Most in-person sessions are held in the Premise space in Portland, a warm and welcoming setting filled with art, books, and beauty. We also occasionally offer sessions at local breweries and other community spaces.

There is no pressure to make awkward small talk. The shared reading and central question give everyone a natural place to begin.

Please arrive early enough to get comfortable. We begin promptly and make every effort to end on time.

We typically have light snacks and a range of drinks.

How large are the sessions?

Premise sessions are intentionally kept small enough for everyone to participate and be heard. The exact group size may vary depending on the session and format.

What are the conversation guidelines?

We ask participants to come prepared, listen generously, share the air, and approach disagreement with curiosity.

Premise is a place to explore ideas rather than perform certainty. You are welcome to change your mind, remain unsure, ask an unfinished question, or simply notice something you had not considered before.

What will I leave with?

You may leave with a new perspective, a more interesting question, a deeper understanding of the work, or a meaningful connection with someone you would not otherwise have met.

You probably will not leave with a final answer. That is part of the point.