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Socrates who?

The life and death of the well know Athenian philosopher, Socrates, has long been written about. 
Most of what we know of his life and death has been written by an equally well know pupil of Socrates', Plato and also another lesser know pupil, Xenophon.  Socrates himself never wrote a thing. (Waterfield)  The most famous of those writings, Apology, is about his trial.  There are two Apology's, one by Plato and one by Xenophon.  At that time the word apology meant speaking in one's defense.
In Plato's Apology, "Plato presents a picture of a philosophical Socrates, resigned to his death so as not to challenge the laws of the state, bolstered by his knowledge of his own goodness, and of the immortality of his soul."(Silverman)   In Xenophon's Apology he describes Socrates as facing the disabilities of old age and seeking death.  The trial and execution of Socrates took place in 339 B.C.E.(Millet)  Socrates was accused of impiety and of passing on his impiety to the young men of Athens. (Waterfield)  Though the the life and death of Socrates are only documented through his pupils he remains one of the greatest and most respected figures in philosophy today.

Waterfield, Robin. "THE HISTORICAL SOCRATES." History Today 59.1 (2009): 24-29. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 14 Sept. 2010.

Millett, Paul. "The Trial of Socrates Revisited." European Review of History 12.1 (2005): 23-62. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 14 Sept. 2010.

Silverman, Sam. "The Death of Socrates: A Holistic Re-examination." Omega: Journal of Death & Dying 61.1 (2010): 71-84. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 14 Sept. 2010.

Symposium

Symposia have been around forever.  Every culture has had meetings of the minds to talk ideas, plan and make decisions, however, the word symposium, specifically comes from ancient Greece and is defined as a lively party with discussion, free flow of ideas and drink.  Today the word symposium seems to be misused, usually referring to colloquia, conferences or presentations with question and answer sessions.  When I think of a symposium I think of revolution and movements in art and literature but, it can be as simple as a few people drinking and hashing out ideas with or without a purpose.  To me, what makes a symposium a symposium, is the free exchange of ideas without a stage or mediator.  It's people talking as equals, constructively toward a common goal of exploration and clarity.