What we’re about
Enjoy a beverage and discuss topics related to philosophy in the technological age.
The goal of Drink & Think is to explore and discover the boundaries of topics that continue to stump history’s greatest minds, while conversing casually over a beer with friends. Consider this Meetup a philosophical think tank, or a “drink tank” if you will.
This is an introductory level group, but advanced philosophers are also welcome. Optional sources will be provided for context.
Meetups rotate throughout various locations in the Bay Area, including San Francisco and Palo Alto. Read individual event descriptions for more details.
Cheers!
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Love in the Age of AlgorithmsOlympus cafe and bakery, Mountain View, CA
“Love is the bridge between you and everything.” — Rumi
Dating apps promise connection — but do they really reflect what our hearts are seeking?
This gathering blends gentle conversation with thoughtful reflection. Together, we’ll explore how technology shapes modern romance, what it means to feel truly seen in relationships, and how to nurture meaningful bonds in a digital world.
- What are you truly seeking in a partner?
- How do you know when a connection is real?
- What makes a relationship feel successful — and what makes it challenging?
- Do algorithms help us find love, or do they make us forget what love really is?
We’re an easygoing group that values thoughtful dialogue and genuine connection — exploring love not only as an emotion, but as a way of understanding ourselves and others.
Whether you’re single, exploring, or simply curious, come share stories, listen, and connect with others who value authenticity over swipe culture.
If you value kindness, curiosity, and depth, you’ll feel at home here.After the event, we plan to go watch Perseid Meteor Shower at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve in Palo Alto.
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How to find us: please look for Meetup signs.
Since we’re using a table at a restaurant, please support the venue by purchasing at least one item. If you don’t feel like eating or drinking, consider buying a drink for a new friend—it’s a simple gesture that can spark connection. Kindly refrain from bringing outside food or beverages. Thank you for helping us maintain a good relationship with the restaurant!
- On BullshitMitchell Park Library, Palo Alto, CA
On Bullshit
Parking info: The parking lot may be busy; u can find street parking on Mayview Ave residential area instead.
In this session we discuss Frankfurt’s writing On Bullshit.
Bullshit is speech intended to persuade without regard for truth.
Unlike a liar, who knows the truth and deliberately tries to conceal it, the bullshitter is indifferent to whether what they say is true or false.
This indifference makes bullshit more dangerous than lies, because it erodes the very value of truth itself.Frankfurt describes a Fourth of July speaker who proclaims:
“Our great and blessed country, whose Founding Fathers under divine guidance created a new beginning for mankind.”
He argues this is paradigmatic bullshit because:- The speaker doesn’t care whether the country is truly “great” or “blessed,” or whether the Founding Fathers were divinely inspired.
- The goal is not truth, but emotional effect—to stir patriotic sentiment, regardless of factual accuracy.
- It’s “hot air”: speech that sounds meaningful but lacks genuine substance or concern for truth.
Why is bullshit prevalent?
Why is bullshit undesirable?
What is the relation between bullshit and truth? - How Relationships Take Shape: A Philosophical ExplorationOlympus cafe and bakery, Mountain View, CA
Philosophers have long seen friendship as central to a fulfilling life. Aristotle described three kinds of friendship —based on utility, pleasure, and virtue. The highest, he said, is rare and enduring: a bond where both people seek each other’s good and grow together. Plato imagined love as a journey toward beauty and truth, beginning with affection for one person and expanding into self-understanding and creative flourishing.
But how does that journey begin? What turns a first encounter into a friendship, and a friendship into something more? This gathering invites gentle exploration on the space in between—where curiosity lives, where trust is built, and where emotional presence quietly deepens connection. We’ll explore how relationships unfold not through performance, wealth, or fame, but through attention, care, and the simple act of being with one another.
This is a space to explore how relationships emerge over time. We’ll consider how emotional safety, timing, and mutual recognition shape the course of connection. Through quiet observation and thoughtful conversation, we’ll reflect on the subtle developments that bring people closer—and the conditions that allow love, in all its forms, to emerge.
Questions we’ll explore:
- What makes a first interaction feel open to connection?
- How do friendships deepen?
- What shifts when romantic feelings begin to emerge?
- What helps us recognize when a bond is ready to evolve?
- What are the essential qualities that form friendship—and what allows it to grow into romantic partnership?
Whether you’re single, exploring, or simply curious, come share stories, listen, and connect with others who value authenticity over swipe culture.
If you value kindness, curiosity, and depth, you’ll feel at home here.
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Since we’ll be gathering around a shared table at a restaurant, we kindly ask that everyone support the venue by purchasing at least one item. If you don’t feel like eating or drinking, consider buying a drink for a new friend—it’s a simple gesture that can spark connection.Please refrain from bringing outside food or beverages, and thank you for helping us maintain a respectful relationship with the restaurant.
