Understanding Friendship + Connection

UPDATE: Please also RSVP on the Partiful. The guest list below doesn’t show all attendees!

“A thoughtful social experience where people learn about human connection while actually practicing it.”

We’re more connected digitally than ever before — and yet meaningful friendship has become strangely difficult.

This event is designed to change that.

Join us for an evening exploring the science of human connection through a short talk, guided conversations, journal prompts, and authentic small-group discussion.

This is part educational experience, part social gathering — built for people who want more than small talk.

You’ll leave with:

• New perspectives on how real relationships actually form
• Meaningful conversations and real stories, shared in a room that makes it safe to be honest
• Practical insights you can apply immediately in your own life
• A sense that deeper connection is more possible than it seems

This may be for you if:

• You’re tired of surface-level interactions, or performative social spaces
• You want deeper conversations or more meaningful friendships
• You want a like-minded community
• You want to feel more connected
• You enjoy personal growth/self-help, psychology, communication skills, or relationship science
• You’re open to meeting people in a more intentional way

Suggested age: 20s-30s

"The experiences that make us feel the most alone, and even isolated, are often the most universal experiences." -Brené Brown

~Loose Plan~
Intro ⁘ 5m
Absurd Icebreaker ⁘ 5m
Hear my Personal Story ⁘ 5m
"If you really knew me" game ⁘ 5m
Hear Main Talk ⁘ 15m
Q+A ⁘ 10m
Small Group discussion ⁘ 10m
Journaling (optional) ⁘ 5m
Small Group sharing ⁘ 20m
Social hour/feedback ⁘ 5m - end

Getting there, parking, etc
• Metro: Get off at Chinatown + 3m walk • Car: Street parking and nearby lots

About the organizer - Michael Lin, PhD, MS
Michael Lin earned his PhD in Applied Mathematics from Arizona State University, where he studied how information spreads through social systems. After moving to San Francisco, and feeling a loneliness he hadn’t expected, he began exploring a deeper, more personal question:

How do we connect better with others?

Since 2023, Michael has been sharing what he’s learned on his YouTube channel, breaking down human connection and offering practical ways to build more meaningful relationships.

Today, he speaks on these topics, helping others move from isolation toward genuine connection.

If you’re interested in having him speak at your event or organization, please reach out!

YouTube: Complex Objects https://www.youtube.com/@complexobjects
Instagram: @thesocialcircle @complex_objects
Meetup.com: The-Social-Circle https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-nihgttao/events/