Book Drives Sydney

May Books and Bevvies

**Welcome along to Books & Bevvies** — a casual book swap + drinks social in the Sydney CBD. This is *not* a book club with homework. It’s a simple, low-key way to meet people, chat about what you’ve been reading, and walk out with something new. **How it works** *Bring a book you’re happy to part with - Pop it on the swap table when you arrive *Mingle, chat, and swap recommendations - When the swap opens, take a book that catches your eye! *Stay for a drink and a conversation after **What to bring** - 1 book (any genre, any reading level) **Good to know** *All genres and reading levels are welcome - No fee, but please purchase your own food/drinks from the venue - The venue relies on accurate numbers for staffing. If you can't make it please change your RSVP. Repeated no-shows = removal from the group. **Where we’ll be** We’ll be in the **Market Street Garden Bar**, with a table full of books and bevvies.

The Bay BookClub - The Daily Stoic 📖

Get ready for the first meetup by the Bay Run on the benches next to the Waterfront Green Amenities. 📍 Please see location pin You don't need to have read the book, come along and meet like-minded people, have meaningful chats and make new friends. We'll be discussing and taking notes on 'The Daily Stoic' by Ryan Holiday. (Optional) BYO: 📖 book 📓 journal & pen 🥤 drinks / snacks

JUNE BOOK –'Theo of Golden' by Allen Levy

Book discussion: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adam

Published in 1979, *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy* is Douglas Adams’s inventive blend of science fiction, satire, and philosophical comedy. When Earth is abruptly destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass, the unassuming Arthur Dent is swept into a cosmic journey that is as absurd as it is strangely revealing. Guided by the eccentric Ford Prefect and an ever-expanding cast of improbable characters, Arthur navigates a universe governed less by logic than by chance, bureaucracy, and deeply questionable intelligence. Beneath its wit and surreal humour, the novel playfully examines humanity’s search for meaning in an indifferent cosmos. Irreverent yet oddly profound, *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy* asks whether the universe has any inherent order at all, or whether, in the face of chaos, the only sensible response is curiosity, humility, and a good sense of humour.

The Trolley Problem: Would you kill the fat man?

Chances are you've heard some version of this before, but it's worth revisiting. A runaway trolley is hurtling down the tracks toward five unsuspecting workers. You're standing on a footbridge above, and beside you is a large man. If you push him onto the tracks, his body will stop the trolley. He will die—but the five will live. Would you do it? What if pushing him saved a hundred people? This is no idle riddle. Our responses to this famous thought experiment (and many variants of it) reveal how we weigh consequences, rights, and intentions, and how our moral intuitions can clash with our moral reasoning. Moreover, these choices matter in the real world. From foreseeable risks to civilian lives in military action, to public‑health decisions about allocating scarce vaccines, to autonomous vehicles deciding who to save in a crash, trolley problems offer an accessible way to confront the hard edges of moral decision‑making in the modern age. Let's dive in. ***Primary Reading: [An Introduction to the Trolley Problem](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCJWblmfROdQ57-BP0B6yCtAarIwZk1SPyFG157nZiDWN0?e=hjP4jO)*** (document prepared for this discussion) ***(Optional) Book: Would You Kill the Fat Man? The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us About Right and Wrong (2014) by David Edmonds*** For this meetup, we’ve prepared a 40-page guide that introduces the Trolley Problem, its philosophical significance, and what neuroscience has learned from using it to study moral decision-making. The guide includes sixteen scenarios, each probing different aspects of moral thinking: How do we weigh consequences against rights? Does intention matter more than outcomes? Do personal relationships override impartial calculation? When is it acceptable to use one person to save many? These scenarios reveal the complexity of our moral intuitions and will form the heart of our discussion. Hopefully the prepared guide will leave you wanting more. If so, David Edmonds' *Would You Kill the Fat Man?* is a wonderful next step. Edmonds traces the fascinating history of the Trolley Problem, interviews philosophers who've wrestled with it, and explains the competing moral frameworks with clarity and wit. It's highly readable and brings real depth to these abstract dilemmas—but it's entirely optional. The guide has everything you need for our discussion. As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before attending. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also put links below on further resources on the topic. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 1st June, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. We look forward to seeing you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to other people if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * A TED-Ed explainer on basic trolley problems: [Would you sacrifice one person to save five? (5 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg16u_bzjPE&t=1s) * Michael Sandel starts his famous Harvard justice lecture course with some trolley problems: [ Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-8hEY) * Podcast with David Edmonds, author of our book, on trolley problems: [Philosophy Bytes - Trolley Problems](https://philosophybites.com/podcast/david-edmonds-on-trolley-problems/) * Podcast with Prof Joshua Greene, a pioneer on applying neuroscience to the trolley problem: [Trolleyology with Dr Joshua Greene (1.22 hr)](https://www.alieward.com/ologies/trolleyology) * TED-Ed on self-driving car scenarios [The ethical dilemma of self-driving cars (4 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIoDYVfKA0) * A real-life version of the trolley problem staged with unsuspecting participants!: [The trolley problem in real life (35 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sl5KJ69qiA&t=158s) * For fans of *The Good Place*, you’ll remember the ever-indecisive philosophy professor Chidi facing a real life trolley problem: [The Good Place – The Trolley Problem (3 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtRhrfhP5b4) * If you want to brush up on your utilitarianism and Kant’s categorical imperative, see these two Crash Course Philosophy videos: [Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI) [Kant & Categorical Imperatives: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIys6JoEDw) **Written** * A nice easter egg for anyone who has read down the page this far (from the Utilitarianism.com website): [Would You Kill the Fat Man?](https://www.utilitarianism.com/trolley-problem.pdf) * Encyclopedia Entries: [Wikipedia - The Trolley Problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem) [Wikipedia - Dual Process Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory) [Britannica - The Trolley Problem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/trolley-problem) * A Conversation piece on AI systems and trolley problems [The self‑driving trolley problem](https://theconversation.com/the-self-driving-trolley-problem-how-will-future-ai-systems-make-the-most-ethical-choices-for-all-of-us-170961) * If you want to play with some moral dilemmas in autonomous vehicle crash scenarios and see how your choices compare globally: [Moral Machine - Moral Decisions and Machine Intelligence](https://www.moralmachine.net/)

Queer Reads

Reading list for 2026: * Feb: Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend by Dan Jones * Mar: Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin * Apr: Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard * May: In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado * Jun: Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell * Jul: Pageboy by Elliot Page * Aug: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder * Sep: Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella by Jack Charles * Oct: * Nov: * Dec: Carol by Patricia Highsmith

'A Little Lumpen Novelita' by Roberto Bolano

Please join us for an afternoon of wild discussion about a dark but short modern classic! We usually have about 12+ participants as most come from outside of Meetup :)

Start with Why ~ Coffee catchup where every sip sparks a new perspective.

PLEASE BE ADVISED! We will be outside the cafe, near the stairs to the chessboard area. NOT IN THE CAFE. Discover your ‘why’, build with intention, and connect with like-minded people who are ready to create, grow, and 10X their lives. A friendly meetup with like-minded people that love learning and growing🙌Let’s grab a cuppa coffee or matcha and connect over what fuels our growth. Whether you're into books that challenge your mindset, habits that build a better you, or future goals that you are excited about, lets enjoy talking about how we evolve—this is a friendly space to share ideas, swap inspiration, and cheer each other on!🤗

AI always Compiles: Is your Organisation Shipping those Results?

Disclaimer Limited capacity available, please RSVP if you plan to attend. The talk touches on some advanced topics. Even so, do join in as you may learn something new. The workshop is beginner-friendly and is ideal for developers/AI enthusiasts. A ticket does not guarantee entry, entry is first come, first served. So, please make sure to be on time. Bring your laptops; this is a hands-on event. The Talk: AI always Compiles: Is your Organisation Shipping those Results? What if the worst thing AI could do isn't fail, but succeed at giving you exactly the WRONG thing, but brilliantly formatted? Your team adopted AI. But did they architect it? Danny Thompson shares the results of an experiment that exposed how most of developers interact with AI incorrectly. Better prompts are a bandaid. Better architecture is the cure. Meet your speaker Danny Thompson is a software engineer and career coach renowned for his "gas station to tech lead" story, which has inspired thousands to transition into the industry. Currently the Senior Developer Advocate at Atlassian and author of The Developer's Guide to AI, he leverages his massive social media platform to provide high-impact networking advice and technical mentorship. A powerhouse community builder, Danny founded the Commit Your Code conference and has personally helped hundreds of developers land their first roles through his "no-excuses" approach to professional growth. The Workshop: Build a Gemini-Powered YouTube Summariser Unlock the power of multimodal AI in this hands-on workshop where you’ll build a Gemini-powered YouTube Summarizer from scratch. Move beyond simple text prompts and learn to architect a full-stack application that "watches" videos to extract instant, actionable insights. By the end of the session, you’ll have mastered the Google Gen AI SDK, integrated Vertex AI into a Flask backend, and deployed your own live app to the cloud. Don't just watch the AI revolution: build it. Meet your instructor Russal Arya is a full-stack developer and UI/UX designer based in Sydney, where he serves as an Organiser for GDG Sydney. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Computing at the University of Sydney, Russal specializes in building robust web applications using React and TypeScript, with a deep interest in native mobile development. He is a passionate advocate for community-led learning, frequently facilitating workshops that bridge the gap between complex engineering concepts and intuitive design. About the event Details Date: May 18, 2026 Time: 5pm onwards Venue: Google Sydney, 1 Darling Island Road, Pyrmont NSW 2009 Agenda 5:00pm -Check in starts 5:45pm - Welcome by GDG Sydney 6:00pm - Talk: 'AI always Compiles: Is your Organisation Shipping those Results?' 7:00pm - Networking break with Pizza! 7:30pm - Workshop: Build a Gemini-Powered YouTube Summariser 8:15pm - Conclusion 8:30pm - Doors close Partners Google - Hosting venue + exclusive Google merch (stickers, caps, pins & more)! #GDGSydney #GeminiADK #MCP #BuildWithAI Agenda --- Speaker Danny Thompson - Atlassian (Senior Developer Advocate) Host Russal Arya - GDG Sydney (Organiser) Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-sydney-presents-ai-always-compiles-is-your-organisation-shipping-those-results/.

Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood Library

Our aim is to provide a supportive community for speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror etc) writers at all levels, offering a platform for networking, dedicated writing time, craft discussions, and publication tips. Whether you're just starting or an established wordsmith, join us on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Chatswood Library. **[RSVP through the library](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wednesday-speculative-writing-night-tickets-813545274817)** *In addition to RSVPing here on Meetup, please register at the link above so we can keep track of numbers as we are promoting across different platforms.* **Schedule:** **5:30 - 6:00 pm:** Introductions and casual chat **6:00 - 7:30 pm:** 'Focus & Write' session **7:30 - 8:30 pm:** Continue writing, or socialise and share your progress **What to bring:** Your work-in-progress, whether on screen or paper. Connect with fellow writers, explore the speculative fiction realm, and let your imagination soar at our regular writing meetups. **[How to get there](https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Locations-and-Hours/Chatswood-Library)** **Public transport**: Chatswood Library is located in The Concourse, 350m from major Chatswood transportation hubs, including Chatswood train station and Chatswood bus interchange. **Parking**: Parking is available at The Concourse car park accessible on Ferguson Lane via Archer St ONLY. Parking rates can be found [here](https://www.theconcourse.com.au/visit/parking/). The library has lift access from The Concourse car park and from The Concourse, ground and upper levels. Parking is also available at Chatswood Chase adjacent to The Concourse on the corner of Archer St and Victoria Ave. The first 3 hours parking are free. **Cycle**: Bicycle parking is available at library entrance. **Accessibility** For participants requiring stair-free access, this is available through the Ferguson Lane entrance through the parking garage. Ride shares or taxis should be directed to drop off at that location. If further assistance is needed please let the Meetup coordinators know in advance and we will do our best to assist. Please be advised that access from Victoria Ave does consist of a significant flight of steps up into the Concourse area. **Our meeting room** We are in the **Creator Space**, straight down the main aisle from the front desk, though the sign may be obscured by books. If you are unable to locate the Creator Space, ask the staff at the front desk for its location; they are expecting us. Do note a 'yes' RSVP on Meetup does not confirm your place, **[please RSVP through the library](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wednesday-speculative-writing-night-tickets-813545274817)** so they can set out enough places for us on the night. Photo credit: [Cedrik Wesche](https://unsplash.com/@cedrikwesche)

Short Story Club: 'In My Country' by Thomas Ha

Short Story Club is a reading club for time-poor people who love speculative fiction. Just like other clubs we read the story and discuss it... though expect to go deeper into craft as writers. This session we're reading Thomas Ha's 'In My Country', a 2026 Hugo, Nebula and Locus Award-nominated story. This is available free to read through [Clarkesworld #223](https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ha_04_25/) and its [audio version](https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/audio_04_25e). Meet at 2pm for a preliminary chat (use the time to order food/drink if you like) and we'll start the main event at 2.30pm. No need to bring anything but your thoughts, having read the story. *Image credit: Clarkesworld #223 by Thomas Brissot*

A11y Bytes Sydney

A11y Bytes is back for its fourteenth year, celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day. [Register for A11y Bytes Sydney 2026](https://events.humanitix.com/a11y-bytes-2026-sydney) The heart of digital accessibility and inclusion is not about guidelines, codes or regulations. It’s about people, and life, and how we live, how we access information, and how our lives are affected by the technologies of today. As many as 500 people have attended online Bytes events, as well as physical events in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney attended an A11y Bytes event, making this the largest community run accessibility event in Australia. The event has since branched out into parts of New Zealand and it continues to grow. You don’t have to be an accessibility aficionado to attend. This event is about us all talking, thinking and learning about digital accessibility and inclusion together. Take part in A11y Bytes and connect, be inspired and have some fun as we talk, learn, grow and change the world. A big thank you to **Canva** for being the Sydney venue sponsor for this year's A11y Bytes. **Time and date** A11y Bytes Sydney will be held on **Thursday 21 May 2026**, celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day. **Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start.** **Register** RSVP through humanitix to register. [Register for A11y Bytes Sydney 2026](https://events.humanitix.com/a11y-bytes-2026-sydney)