Professors

Join the Melbourne TED Talk Community for an engaging session and meet people who like being an ideator, who want to bring their voice to a larger community. In contrast to a typical public speaking training event, where you receive feedback on your amms and aas and the way you present, this goes beyond that. **The objective of this community is to get inspired by some of the best ideas serving humanity, find your own calling and voice, be an ideator, and share your ideas clearly and persuasively.** The talk we will play is one of the amazing talks from the TED Library. In this session, we will delve deeper into the topic and gain perspective, and learn from each other. Be prepared to network, engage in meaningful conversations, and embark on a journey of professional development and leadership growth. **Mark your calendars and don't miss this opportunity to refine your public speaking abilities with the Melbourne TED Talk Community!** **TED Talk link to watch together:** **TBA** **Agenda (as a guide)** 5.30 PM Registration 5:40 PM Introduction by Attendees 5:55 PM 5 min talk by Organisers (optional) 6.00 PM Breakout session (Group / Individual) based on topic 6.15 PM Individual / Group shares their takeaways 6:20 PM Practice the Art of Public Speaking - 2-3 talks of 2.5 minutes 6:30 PM Feedback to the Presenters and overall session 6:30 PM Event Concludes & floor opens for Networking **Fees: The event has a $5 contribution towards hiring the hall and Audiovisual. This can be paid through PayPal at the time of registration.** Looking forward to seeing you there. The Organisers Raj

Ever had an idea? Do you look at things and say "I can do that better"? If this is you then you will find our monthly inventor's meetings a great place to visit. For just $20 payable at the door you can attend a meeting from 7:15pm to 9:30pm at Mount Waverley Youth Centre, 45 Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley. See someone present their invention and learn how they did it, listen to an interesting guest speaker and pick up tips for your own inventions. Join 35+ other inventors for an interesting and informative meeting. Ends with great finger food and coffee. Members enjoy other services including invention evaluation, mentoring, Free patent searching tool, YouTube video of their product, product showcase webpage, "Inventor" name badge, inventing guide and more. Cost of membership is $200 with renewal each year of $80 and meeting evening cost of $5. Discount for country and tertiary student members. Need patenting information? Before each meeting there is a patent attorney answering questions from 6.30pm to 7.20pm (pay your visitor fee at the door first) who will help you understand patenting and other intellectual property options. Ask any question, learn about patenting costs, pitfalls, advantages. This also covers registered designs.

**Do you want your audience laughing, leaning in, and hanging on every word?** At this Toastmasters meeting, our Skill Shot presenter and MC will show you *how to craft speeches that entertain, delight, and leave a lasting impression.* Learn how to use humour, storytelling, timing, and vocal variety to captivate any audience. Discover techniques to make your message memorable while keeping your audience engaged from start to finish. Whether it’s a funny anecdote, a surprising twist, or a dramatic pause, you’ll gain the tools to bring your speech to life. **Join us tonight at Port Melbourne Toastmasters and uncover how to turn your presentations into entertaining, captivating experiences that your audience will never forget.** 🌐 [www.portmelbournetoastmasters.org](http://www.portmelbournetoastmasters.org) 📅 **When:** 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesdays of the month, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 **Where:** [Find directions here](http://5181586.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html) Guests, Meetup Group members, and visiting Toastmasters attend for free. Secure your spot today! ***Want to speak with confidence and connect with real impact?*** *Here’s your chance to overcome nerves, build your presence, and elevate your presentation skills in a supportive, growth-focused environment. Come check us out!*

Looking for a laid-back writer's group to practice your creative skills? Looking for the accountability and motivation to share excerpts of your serious novel idea, or just share a wine over a silly haiku you wrote? Looking for a group that may be local to you? Let's write together. About: Flemington Writer's Group is the product of two friends wanting to find more peers who like to play with ideas on a page, but it's finding it's feet: You can help us shape this community! Format Concept: Ideally the group tops out at 6-8 members, or more if we divide up into groups. The club meets once a month on a Tuesday for an hour. Groups will share pieces of writing, (up to a page), that they have prepared over the previous month, and inviting feedback will be optional, and kept reasonably brief, so that we can get to everyone that wishes to share work. Adults only. Have no idea what to write? There will be idea generation games, or writing competitions to consider, and support with getting concepts off the group for those looking. While I have a wide interest in trying anything from speculative fiction to poetry, if we find ourselves with enough members, settling in to specific genres or prose types, then we may agree to dividing groups by writing preferences. Safety Tools: Having come from a background in book clubs, and games clubs, it's important to be kind and respectful when people are sharing ideas that feel vulnerable or exposing to share, while also acknowledging that not all content is considered acceptable creative fodder to all readers. A safe sharing environment will be rigorously promoted, so while writer contributions will not be censored, there will be an expectation around flagging potentially upsetting material so that participants can choose to duck out briefly. First session: Pin Oak Beer and Wine, 42 Pin Oak Cres, Flemington VIC at 6:30pm on 4/2/2026. Please ask to join or register to the group, so we can get a sense of numbers in advance for a booking. No works are required for session one - This is just a friendly meet-and-greet.

**Register now to attend! =>** [https://konfhub.com/ksug-au-2026-02-04](https://konfhub.com/ksug-au-2026-02-04) **<=** **Latest promotions** discovered by our community! * **50%** off [Linux Foundation](https://gk.ksug.ai) EXPIRED, [Get Notified](https://ksug.ai/?notify&ref=meet) for next BIG one! * **30%** off [KubeCon Europe](https://ksug.ai/events/?ref=meet) 2026 using code **KSAI** * Up to **30%** off popular [Books](https://ksug.ai/books/?ref=meet) and [Events](https://ksug.ai/events/?ref=meet) We're excited to welcome you to the upcoming **KSUG.AI Australia Meetup** — happening both in-person at at Amazon and online via [Zoom](https://linktr.ee/ksug.ai)! 🎉 We're actively seeking more awesome AI topic speakers! 👉 [https://speaker.ksug.ai](https://speaker.ksug.ai) **Agenda and topics preview:** * Food, drinks and Socializing * Welcome / Introductions by the Organizers @**[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** * **Topic 1:** Use mirrord to cut your dev loop from hours to seconds by **[Dan Baker](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-baker-12023a37/)**, Solutions Engineer @[MetalBear](https://metalbear.com/) * **Topic 2:** From Copilot to Autopilot: Navigating the New Era of AI Coding Agents by [Yongkang He](https://linkedin.com/in/yongkanghe "https://linkedin.com/in/yongkanghe"), Founder @[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=email "https://ksug.ai/?ref=email") * **Quiz time:** nice swags giveaways Food and drinks will be provided between **5.30 and 6 pm** on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a great opportunity to learn and network with our peers. Thanks to our sponsors @**[Amazon](https://aws.com/)**, @**[KodeKloud](https://kodekloud.com/k8sug)**! **[Register here](https://konfhub.com/ksug-au-2026-02-04) to secure your spot!** See you all there! **Location:** Amazon MEL12, Level 13.304 [555 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kbi13GZqj2zDqDz2A) Join **[#Discord](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua)** for latest update 👉 [https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua) 🔖 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬: ☸ 30% OFF **[Kubernetes](https://lf.ksug.ai/)** Certs - Code: **30K8SUG** ☸ 37% OFF **[KodeKloud](https://ksug.ai/kk/?ref=meet)** Plans - Code: **K8SUGKK** 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬: ✅ Learn 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 ⚡ ✅ Certify 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 💰 ✅ Grow 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 💪 𝟏𝟖𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎+ follow **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** 🔥 [linktr.ee/ksug.ai](https://linktr.ee/ksug.ai) *By registering, you consent to the management of your personal information in accordance with KSUG.AI Meetup's [Privacy Policy](https://k8sug.ai/privacy). Additionally, you agree that our sponsors may contact you.* **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meet)** is an independent community and not affiliated with or endorsed by CNCF. Kubernetes, K8s, Kubestronaut are registered trademarks of The Linux Foundation.

Social Volleyball Games TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) 7 pm at Melbourne High School South Yarra (entrance from Chapel Street)🤩💪🔥 RSVP in the event by 4 pm and pay only $15 on spot! Confirmation of RSVP is required on spot to get a discount! \*All levels Welcome\* 🟡🔵🏆 BOOKINGS IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. #international #volleyball #club #melbourne This event is for adults only! (18+) The fee is $17 payment by card on spot. Membership available Become a IVC member - get cheaper fees for camps, insurance + IVC game jersey - ask for more info today! [#International](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/international?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVWqTrC41QG8leik-TstHubA-byf5_UTz2Qo5bQ73HIIc7qB6xsAMS7gJpmbCDggNrqajl4UPwH1y4uocs5NVV9Sjwx9Jpq1z_anmw14HxzWMwIy3x2sTV3vAfgbR5sXuLNDL99e6dM3x4s8y0QoxoP&__tn__=q) [#Volleyball](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/volleyball?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVWqTrC41QG8leik-TstHubA-byf5_UTz2Qo5bQ73HIIc7qB6xsAMS7gJpmbCDggNrqajl4UPwH1y4uocs5NVV9Sjwx9Jpq1z_anmw14HxzWMwIy3x2sTV3vAfgbR5sXuLNDL99e6dM3x4s8y0QoxoP&__tn__=q) [#Club](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/club?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVWqTrC41QG8leik-TstHubA-byf5_UTz2Qo5bQ73HIIc7qB6xsAMS7gJpmbCDggNrqajl4UPwH1y4uocs5NVV9Sjwx9Jpq1z_anmw14HxzWMwIy3x2sTV3vAfgbR5sXuLNDL99e6dM3x4s8y0QoxoP&__tn__=q) [#Melbourne](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/melbourne?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVWqTrC41QG8leik-TstHubA-byf5_UTz2Qo5bQ73HIIc7qB6xsAMS7gJpmbCDggNrqajl4UPwH1y4uocs5NVV9Sjwx9Jpq1z_anmw14HxzWMwIy3x2sTV3vAfgbR5sXuLNDL99e6dM3x4s8y0QoxoP&__tn__=q) To be protected by International Volleyball Club Member Protection Policy and covered by our Personal Accident Insurance, everyone participating in a International Volleyball Club event or with a International Volleyball endorsed club, association, or provider is required to maintain an active membership at the appropriate level with International Volleyball Club. For more information message us

📚 #InPursuit is a book club for entrepreneurs, creatives, and curious minds who know personal growth fuels business growth. **See a lot of RSPVPs and wonder how it works? We'll break up into groups of 6-8 to share our insights, then swap groups after 30-45min so you can maximise learning from everybody!** *Note: this even is not organised by or affiliated with The State Library of Victoria* **That's what #InPursuit is all about** It’s not a traditional book club, it’s a space for people who are actively designing a better life through the pursuit of business, creativity, and personal growth. This event is for anyone #InPursuit of better business, life and relationships. Instead of reading the same book, we each come prepared to share one powerful insight from something we’ve read in the past 3-months. Anything non-fiction that’s moved us forward. Whether it’s a mindset shift, a productivity system, a new philosophy, or just a truth that punched us in the gut. This is a place to unpack it together and hear what others are learning too. We’re not just here to *read*. We’re here to *integrate*. Because when we grow, our business and our lives grow too. **🔍 Why Join? You'll leave with:** * 5–10 fresh insights from books you may never have picked up * Deeper awareness of how others think, lead, and evolve * New connections with people walking a similar path toward purpose, results, and impact This isn’t a lecture. It’s a room full of people building themselves while they build the thing. **📖 How It Works** First time? No pressure to share, just come curious. We'll break up into groups of 6-8 and share our insights, then swap groups so you can maximise the learning! Returning? Bring one idea you’ve read about in the last 3-months and be ready to speak on: 1. What did you learn? 2. How did it shift your perspective about the world or yourself? 3. How has it changed the way you show up or behave? We keep it structured, but flexible. After sharing, we open up to Q&A, personal stories, challenges, and deep dives. Some of the best insights come from the conversations *after* the share. **🧠 Who This Is For** * Entrepreneurs or side-hustlers finding their footing * Business owners, and doers building toward better * Curious minds who love ideas but care more about action * People tired of shallow conversations and hungry for growth If you’re working on something—or becoming someone—this space is for you. It’s a practice ground for people who want to grow forward. We’re all #InPursuit of mastery, momentum, and the kind of success that starts from within. **Map on how to get there** We're in the Create Quarter on the ground level (back right of the Quad as you enter from Swanson St). We'll likely be on a long table together. https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/SLV-EnglishMap_Jan25.pdf *If there is no room at a table I'll post on the event page that we'll be going to Mr. Tulk Cafe, which is on the corner of the library at Swanson St and La Trobe St.*

Progressibu Japanese English exchange Saturday 4pm-6pm Progressi部 日英言語文化交流 - Saturday 4pm-6pm Share your English and Japanese language and culture at this informal weekly exchange. It's a great chance to improve your English/Japanese, make new friends, and have a coffee Due to meetup website monthly charges, there's a fee of $3 CASH for non Japanese citizens. Please check with the organizer before participating. Please arrive 10-15 min early, due to limited seat Join Progressibu in Facebook / twitter [www.facebook.com/groups/progressibu](https://www.facebook.com/groups/progressibu/?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZU9yB5_cPpRTKYc3XF8vD06VrLHEQq9YYp1j9Pipvbs2uKX3TXvzsyYNVxa9ZA9pqDHkbLv7yoB7kXwbh9s6e1FCg6-ycT8N1X9rgTgMcQZ6Q&__tn__=q) [twitter.com/progressibu](https://twitter.com/progressibu?fbclid=IwAR0-tRnPLLN7tM9T9RxLODXiRjb2uJecTzmz-3PWGKcaOQaZu_u8oI4kDIk) 本気で話せる、本気で学べる、 本気な人に出会える場を目指して。日本語の初心者でもネーティブスピーカーでも誰でも参加できます。 BYOPassion. メルボルン市内のカフェで日英言語文化交流会を主催しています Relaxed, easygoing environment for cultural, language exchange and make new friends Photos will be taken during the event **RULE: Any harassment will not be tolerate, ban permanently.** **Do not make the people you speak uncomfortable. Anyone from Progressibu Japanese English event is making you uncomfortable, please come and speak to the organiser Shin , David,** **Ray**

Practice speaking at SmashSpeak. Obtain copious stage time. No agenda, technicalities, etc - Just come along, have some fun & speak! Be on time, as entry door automatically locks close to start time. BONUS - SmashSpeak is not a Toastmasters Club Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, Purple Room (End of corridor) More to come...

I will send you the zoom link on the day, You don' need anything else to participate except your imaginationation and sense of fun:)

**This is a *free event*, but registration via *[Humanitix](https://events.humanitix.com/the-web-meetup-first-edition-for-2026)* is essential to help us manage capacity for all attendees.** 🚀 **The Web Meetup – First Event of 2026!** 📅 **5 February 2026 - 5:30pm start** 📍 **Rooftop, The Metropolitan Hotel (Melbourne CBD)** 🎟 **Free – Registration essential via the Humanitix link below** We’re kicking off 2026 very differently. Instead of the usual panel or long-form talks, this time we’ve locked in 10+ speakers, standout thinkers, and innovators who will go head-to-head in fast, fiery, and fun mini-debates on topics like: * You can create a healthy team in a dysfunctional company * Returning to the office is amazing * AI changed my life in 2025 … and many more Expect short, sharp opinions, plenty of laughs, and a few takes that might flip your perspective. Come hang out on the rooftop, grab a drink, meet new folks, reconnect with that ex-colleague you secretly miss, and start 2026 in a community that’s curious, collaborative and inclusive. **Register now via** [Humanitix](https://events.humanitix.com/the-web-meetup-first-edition-for-2026)**, tickets are free, but spots are limited!** **This event is brought to you by [Melbourne CTO School](https://www.meetup.com/cto-school-melbourne/),** [The Web Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/the-web/) **and [Forward talent](https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-talent-group)**

**\*\*\*RSVP PROCESS - CRITICAL INFO\*\*\*** Please be aware, we don't use the Meetup website to take RSVPs, so you will need to register on this link to lock in your place (bookings essential) - [https://propdev.info/uMKh](https://propdev.info/uMKh) We run events most weekends around Australia so you can attend either physically in your local area, or live-stream to any event around the country. **In-Person:** 1:30pm (Melbourne time) to 'Mingle With The Expert' **Virtual:** 2pm (Melbourne time) **INTRODUCING THE INDUSTRY EXPERT:** *Getting Roads Right in Property Development! DPM Consulting Group (John Mathios)* Your feasibility looks solid until road construction, sewer, stormwater, soil conditions and council bonds start blowing the budget. This is where many mum-and-dad developers get caught out. Road networks cost more than expected. Sewer and stormwater requirements change mid-process. Soil conditions add scope and dollars. Then come the bonds, tying up large chunks of cash for far longer than planned. Miss any of this, and your profit margin quietly disappears. That’s why you need to hear from **John Mathios** of **DPM Consulting Group.** John works directly with councils and developers on real-world road construction and infrastructure delivery. He’ll break down the actual costs behind: • Road construction and RD networks • Sewer and stormwater infrastructure • Soil risks that impact construction budgets • Council bonds what they really cost, when they’re paid, and when you get your money back If you want to budget accurately, protect cash flow, and avoid nasty surprises, this is a session every serious small-scale developer needs to attend. **INTRODUCING THE REAL DEAL:** *5 Townhouses (Sunny Katyal)* *1040m2, GZ, Frankston, Victoria* You’ve found a block online, zoned for development and the numbers look great. You think it’ll be smooth sailing until reality hits. **Sunny Katyal** this month’s Real deal presenter knows exactly what that feels like when he secured a site in a general residential zone, planning a 5-townhouse project, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Lender delays, a builder going bankrupt, and the challenges of managing a project from a distance. Margins squeezed. Stress levels skyrocketed. What should have been a simple townhouse development turned into a real-world lesson in resilience and problem-solving. At our next Property Developer Network Meetup, Sunny will share the real, unfiltered story of this 5-townhouse project from purchase in 2020 to completion in 2026. You’ll learn: • How he navigated lender issues without derailing his project • How he managed builders and contractors to avoid costly setbacks • How he handled managing his site from a distance • The hard lessons and practical strategies he learned to keep the townhouse deal profitable If you’re a mum-and-dad developer wanting to see the reality behind the numbers, avoid rookie mistakes, and learn strategies that actually work, Sunny’s story is not one to be missed. ***This is your chance to talk property with other enthusiasts!*** See you all soon!

**PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION & ATTENDANCE FEE!** Please join us this Sunday as we discuss the similarities, and difference, between Religion and Spirituality at large. **We will meet at the Queensberry Hotel, 593 Swanston Street, Carlton (100m north of previous location) at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp.** **We kindly ask attendees to pay $5 to attend to help with MeetUp costs & venue costs. This is not mandatory, but if you are a regular member it would be appreciated. Any extra moneys will go towards buying food and drinks for the table.** There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged. Find below some questions to consider, however these are free-ranging events and the below serve as a springboard for the discussion. * What is the definition of Religion and Spirituality? * What do Religion and Spirituality share, and what do they have apart? * What does it mean to have connection and relationship with the Divine? * What is the purpose of non-dual self realisation? * What is the difference between Wholeness and Holiness? * Is there a transcendent unity of religions as Perennialists suggest? * What is "transcendence", in traditional religion and other spiritual paths? * Are spiritual practices communion with the Divine, or communion with oneself? * How do community centred vs individual experience spiritual paths compare? * Is 'esoteric Christianity' a contradiction? * Is there a relationship between modern moral ideas and Spirituality without religious structure? * What has been the influence of the New Age spiritual movement on medicine and popular psychology? * Is Jung complementary or a rival to historic Christianity? * Is religion just spirituality plus outdated morality? * Is spirituality just religion without the responsibility? Hope to see you there!

**People Analytics 101: Making Sense of Compensation Data** Compensation data is one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood forms of people analytics. The session will cover where compensation data comes from, including market pricing data, internal payroll data, and benchmarking sources, and how companies think about structuring and analyzing that information. We will explore how compensation data is leveraged to set salary ranges, manage internal equity, support hiring and retention, and align pay with business strategy. A portion of the session will address common data challenges and limitations, such as market noise, inconsistent job matching, and incomplete datasets, while keeping the primary focus on practical use rather than technical depth. The session will also look ahead at where the space is going, including the growing impact of pay transparency laws, expanding pay equity requirements, and emerging regulations in the US and Europe that require organizations to report on gender and pay gaps. The goal is to give attendees a clear mental model for how compensation analytics works today and why getting it right is becoming increasingly critical. (note: we are back at Rev1 this month!) **About Our Speaker** [Alex Moore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexscottmoore/) is the founder of [Moore Cooperative](https://moorecooperative.com/), where he advises organizations on compensation strategy, pay equity, and people analytics. His work focuses on helping organizations like the Ohio Supreme Court design, analyze, and communicate compensation systems that are data-informed, defensible, and aligned with organizational goals. Alex lives in Granville, Ohio and has three little kiddos. More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

This is a time where players of all ages, and skill levels can gather and enjoy a nice Sunday full of Chess!

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

Come attend a free in-person seminar where you will find out why you: -Feel isolated -Can't express yourself openly -Get nervous or anxious in front of people -Run out of things to say or feel tongue-tied -Feel introverted -Don't feel comfortable in any social setting -Can't make more friends -Are shy and miss opportunities to connect in a meaningful way And we cover what you can do about any one, some or all of the above. This seminar is the weapon against loneliness, isolation and boredom, come join us! COME TO THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN THE SECRETS TODAY This seminar is brought to you by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Join members of the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. There _might_ be a little snow, but there _will_ be effectively infinite serve-yourself coffee, so it evens out if you ask me. Just a reminder, while the other locations are great too, we’re at the Lane Ave one this time.