Austin Enlightenment Society Meetup

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
What makes an economy successful—and who gets to decide? Join us to rethink the systems that shape our daily lives.

We live in a world shaped by economics—yet many of us have never had the chance to step back and ask: What is an economy really for? Why do our systems work the way they do, and how might they evolve?

At this event, we’ll take a big-picture look at the role economics plays in society. We'll explore how economic systems function, how they've evolved across history, and how we measure their success today. Through lecture, interactive activities, and thoughtful group discussion, we'll unpack what works, what doesn't, and what possibilities exist for creating more equitable, sustainable, and human-centered economies.

This is not about being "for" or "against" capitalism. It’s about understanding the purpose of economic systems, the challenges of the modern world, and how we might intentionally design better solutions together.

Agenda

• 💬 A brief talk exploring what an economic system is, why it matters, and how it impacts every aspect of our lives
• 🧠 An interactive activity to break down the core components of any economic system—resources, markets, institutions, incentives, and more
• 🕰 A guided historical exploration of how economic systems evolved from ancient civilizations to feudalism, mercantilism, capitalism, and beyond
• 🏛️ discussion on the economic system of the United States—what it is, how it functions, and what defines it
• 🌍 A look at modern economic challenges (climate change, inequality, technological disruption) and what they reveal about the limits of current models

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What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
Discover the surprising ways scientific ideas can help you make smarter decisions, improve your daily life, and shape a better world.

We live in a world built on the back of scientific breakthroughs—but most of us never stop to think about how science became such a powerful force or how we might use its core principles in our everyday lives.

At this event, we’ll explore what life was like before the Scientific Revolution, how the movement took hold and transformed Europe, and what lasting impacts it had on the way we think, solve problems, and pursue truth.

Then we’ll bring these ideas into the present—using hands-on activities and group exercises to explore key concepts like the scientific method, falsifiability, and other frameworks that can change how you think, work, relate, and grow.

Agenda

• 🔍 A short group discussion on how scientific thinking shows up in everyday life
• 🧠 A brief lecture on the history and impact of the Scientific Revolution
• 🧪 An interactive workshop on the scientific method, including time to design personal life experiments
• ❓ A practical activity on falsifiability, helping you challenge assumptions and make better decisions
• 💡 Insights on how to apply science-inspired thinking to your career, relationships, health, and goals

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
Define the values you want to live by—and learn why society needs a shared moral compass.

Why do some cultures thrive while others fracture?

History shows that flourishing societies take the time to name, teach, and practice a clear set of higher-order values. Yet most of us have never paused to ask:

Which values truly matter to me, and how do I live them every day?
This evening is your chance to investigate those big questions—and leave with a personal code of ethics you can put into action.

Agenda

• 📜 A rapid tour of values through history – how concepts of morality and ethics evolved from ancient civilizations to today
• 🪜 The “Value Ladder” activity – whittle a broad list down to the three values you can’t live without
• 🎲 Scenario Challenge game – test your priorities in real-world dilemmas and see how your values hold up under pressure
• ✍️ Crafting a Personal Code – guided writing session to articulate the principles that will steer your decisions and character
• 💬 Group reflection & discussion – share insights, compare perspectives, and explore ways to practice these values daily

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
A special evening exploring why engaging with tragic art makes us more empathetic—and how modern mind-body tools turn pain into resilience.

For thousands of years—from the Festival of Dionysus in ancient Athens to today’s award-winning short films—people have gathered to witness tragedies. Why? Because stepping into sorrow together fosters empathy, gratitude, and community strength.

Modern research now confirms what the Greeks sensed: emotions we ignore don’t disappear; they lodge in the body, fueling stress and illness. This event weaves classical wisdom with cutting-edge somatic practice and narrative reframing, giving you hands-on tools to transform pain into growth.

Agenda

• 🎭 Mini-Lecture - How tragic art shaped civic life in classical Greece and why it still matters today.
• 🎬 Short-Film Screening & Debrief - Experience a powerful modern tragedy in real time and reflect on its emotional impact.
• 🌀 Somatic Experiencing Demo - Learn gentle body-based techniques to release trapped tension and restore nervous-system balance.
• ✍️ Reframing Writing Workshop - Guided exercise to rewrite a difficult memory, highlighting resilience, self-compassion, and new meaning.
• 💬 Group Discussion & Takeaways - Share insights on turning personal messes into messages that strengthen both self and society.

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.