Seekers of the Uncommon - Amsterdam

**✍️ Quote of the Day:**​
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
— Albert Einstein​

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🔍 Event Overview: This isn't a lecture, it's a two-way dialogue on complex topics with academic scholars in a relaxed setting

Think & Drink Different brings leading scholars into bars to explore the questions that shape our lives—from AI and mortality to sex, space, and consciousness—through live talks and informal conversation. It’s a space for curiosity, complexity, and open, two-way dialogue with academics.

The best part isn’t just listening—it’s asking. Your questions shape the night. This is your chance to get direct access to academic scholars' unfiltered perspective, and answers tailored to what you’re curious about. In a bar setting: it’s casual, it’s fun, and it’s free-flowing.

This edition dives into one of life’s greatest mysteries: how a single cell transforms into a complete, living organism. With humor, stories, and cutting-edge science, Dr. Yossi Capua will unravel the wonders of developmental biology—from mutant frogs to plant tricks, and the research that might one day allow us to grow new organs.

For the curious mind—or anyone who loves asking “how on earth is that possible?”—this is an evening where ideas spark in a bar, not a lecture hall, lowering the barrier for us mortals to ask casual, informal, or even playful questions we’d never dare to ask in a formal academic setting.

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🤔 Why Is This an Uncommon Experience?

This isn’t just another lecture. Having the chance to ask academics live questions in a relaxed setting is powerful because it flips learning from passive to active Here’s why it matters:

1. Direct access to expertise
Academics spend years (sometimes decades) diving deep into a single field. Asking them questions gives you distilled insight straight from the source—something you’d rarely get from a book or YouTube video.

2. Unfiltered perspective
Academics aren’t just sharing facts—they’re sharing how they think about problems, uncertainties, and future directions. That behind-the-scenes look into the mind of a researcher is often as valuable as the “answer” itself.

3. Interactive, not one-way
A lecture is one-directional. A Q&A is a conversation. It shrinks the gap between expert and audience, making knowledge feel accessible, shared, and social.

4. Clarity on complex ideas
Big concepts can be intimidating in abstract. Asking questions helps break them down, connect them to everyday life, and make them meaningful. You can follow your own thread of thought and see where it leads.

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🧠 What You'll Experience (with Drinks in Hand):

Think & Drink Different is about scratching the itch of curiosity in the most human way: together, with a glass in hand. Here’s what this experience mean:

• Share a table (and a drink) with curious minds from all walks of life—scientists, creatives, expats, locals, and the simply curious
• Explore how genetics, hormones, and forces shape living forms
• Discover the strange ways plants and animals build themselves
• Discuss the future of regenerative medicine and what it means for us
• Feel the freedom of a bar setting where questions flow as easily as the drinks
• Leave not just with new knowledge, but with new perspectives—and maybe even a few new friends

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📅 Schedule

• 18:45 → Doors open. Welcome, grab a drink, and settle in with the group.
• 19:30 – 21:00 → Talk + conversation with Dr. Yossi Capua
• After 21:00 → Stick around— some of the best ideas come up after the official part, in small groups and side conversations that carry late into the evening

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✅ Practical Details
📍 Location: The Book Nook, Singel 82, 1015 AC Amsterdam
🎟️ Price: €14 (+€0,35 service fee) – includes ligth drinks
🎫 Tickets: Get your ticket here: https://www.thinkanddrink.nl/event-details/from-a-single-cell-to-a-complex-life-form-unraveling-the-mysteries-of-developmental-biology-dr-yossi-capua

⚠️ Note: These events take place in small, cozy bars with limited seating. Tickets tend to go fast—so grab yours early!

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👩‍🔬 About the Speaker
Dr. Yossi Capua is a plant developmental geneticist exploring how genes and hormones interact to shape plant form and structure. Using tools from classical Mendelian genetics to advanced genome editing, he investigates the mechanisms behind plant architecture—and invites you to discover the cutting edge of modern biology.

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👄 Meetup Organizer Comments
"I discovered Think & Drink Different when I joined one of their talks, Unlocking the Dark Genome with Prof. Tzfadia. It was such a fascinating night! I walked in knowing just a little about how genes are studied and left feeling like I’d learned a lot. The bar setting made it relaxed and approachable, and the Q&A kept the conversation flowing long after the talk ended."

✍️ Quote of the Day:
“Some outings feed your stomach. Others feed your sense of wonder.”
— M, Meetup Organizer

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🔍 Event Overview

There’s drinks and bites… and then there’s drinks and bites at REM — a visionary reinvention of a 1960s pirate radio and TV tower into into a layered culinary playground. Bold history, inventive gastronomy, striking architecture, stylish interior, and stellar views converge across three floors of mood-shifting experience.

Once floating off the Dutch coast, REM Island broadcasted TV Noordzee, a rebellious pirate station that challenged the norms of Dutch media. Decommissioned, relocated to Amsterdam’s Houthavens in 2011, and fully renovated, it now thrives as a restaurant, bar, and rooftop destination unlike any other in town.

Perched 22 meters above the water, REM offers a rare vantage point over the IJ River, Minervahaven, and Amsterdam-West’s evolving skyline. The Houthavens itself — a former timber harbor — has transformed into a post-industrial cultural hotspot, blending maritime history with modern design.

Every corner of REM invites lingering — from eccentric cocktails and globally inspired plates to views so arresting that might pause your conversation mid-sentence. REM structure looks bold and futuristic, with a hint of retro nostalgia: it blends its industrial past with playful ‘80s retro touches and modern fine-dining aesthetics—a space that feels both stylish and mischievous. Many dishes feature Dutch-sourced ingredients, honoring the island’s offshore legacy, while the menu boldly experiments with unexpected flavors and centuries-old techniques.

REM offers three Layers of Experience

• Ground Level / Bar – Inventive cocktails, finger foods, exclusive Dutch beers, sustainable wines.
• Mid-Level / Restaurant – Casual fine dining with a playful edge; tasting menus or à la carte, all grounded in Dutch heritage and world flavors.
• Top Level / Rooftop – Helipad-turned-terrace, heaters and windshields for year-round comfort, and sunsets that feel cinematic.

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🤔 Why Is This an Uncommon Experience?

REM isn’t just about food or drinks — it’s about history, architecture, rebelliousness and creativity. From pirate broadcasting to culinary artistry, it’s a venue that thrives on curiosity and risk-taking. This event is perfect for:

• Adventurous eaters who crave twists in their plates
• Aesthetic souls who appreciate places as much as dishes
• Conversationalists who see food/architecture as a starting point
• Curious spirits who know “uncommon” often means “memorable”

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🍴 What You’ll Experience

• Exploring the REM platform, discovering its legacy and architecture
• Rooftop drinks and bites with 360° city and river views
• Creative bites such as watermelon sashimi or tomato tartare
• Dishes blending Dutch heritage with unexpected global flavors
• A chance to witness sunset and city lights over Amsterdam

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📅 Schedule

• 19:00 – Welcome at the bar, enjoy a cocktail and explore the platform (photography lovers, do not forget to bring your camera, the place is just A-MA-ZING!)
• 19:45 – Rooftop drinks and finger foods as the sun sets over the IJ
• 21:15 – Optional: dinner (expect 70€+ cost per person, reserve on your own) or continue rooftop nightcaps under the stars and city lights

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✅ Practical Details
📍 Location: REM Restaurant & Rooftop, Haparandadam 45-2, Amsterdam
🎟️ Price: Pay-your-own food and drinks (check the menu here: https://rem.amsterdam/en/the-menu/)
👗 Dress code: Smart casual attire is suggested by REM — plus a layer for rooftop breezes

NOTE: You can reach REM by public transport. From Amsterdam Central Station, you can take bus 48 (Direction Houthavens) and hop off at Koivistokade. From the bus stop, it’s about a 10 minute walk.

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👄 The Artist Speaks: Chef Bobby Rust on REM

> “At REM, we push the boundaries of traditional gastronomy. Our passion is for Dutch products and unique ingredients you won’t find anywhere else. With our feet in the water, we have a love for the sea — and we blend artisanal techniques with modern cooking methods to create unexpected flavors.” — Bobby Rust

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❓ Did You Know? One of those hidden Dutch stories expats rarely come fully across — the tale of TV Noordzee, The Rebel Broadcaster

1. Origins and Purpose:
TV Noordzee was an offshore commercial television station that began broadcasting in 1964 from REM Island, a platform in the North Sea. At a time when the Netherlands had only publicly funded, state-run TV, the station offered a completely new, unregulated form of entertainment, including commercials, pop music, and innovative programming. Its goal was to bypass government restrictions and bring alternative content to Dutch audiences.

2. Pirate Broadcasting
Since commercial broadcasting was illegal in the Netherlands at the time, TV Noordzee operated as a “pirate station”, much like offshore radio stations such as Radio Veronica. The platform’s offshore location allowed it to transmit signals beyond the reach of Dutch law, reaching millions of viewers.

3. Popularity
Despite its short life, TV Noordzee quickly gained a huge following, attracting viewers who were hungry for something different than the official state channels. It aired shows, music programs, and commercial content that was considered radical and exciting for its time.

4. Government Crackdown
The Dutch government, unprepared for commercial TV, passed legislation specifically to halt the broadcasts. On December 17, 1964, at 9 a.m., a raid took place on REM Island, ending TV Noordzee’s broadcasts. The station’s pioneering work lasted less than a year.

5. Relocation
After being decommissioned, the island sat in storage for decades before being moved to Amsterdam’s Houthavens in 2011. The relocation preserved much of its original structure while transforming it into a safe, accessible venue.

6. Legacy
TV Noordzee is remembered as a trailblazer in Dutch media, challenging state control and introducing audiences to commercial broadcasting and pop culture programming. The island’s rebellious spirit lives on today in REM Restaurant, which channels the same bold, rule-defying energy through food, cocktails, and immersive design.

7. Cultural Significance
TV Noordzee demonstrated the appetite for alternative media and the power of creativity and risk-taking, showing that even a tiny offshore platform could have a national impact. It also helped pave the way for the eventual legalization of commercial broadcasting in the Netherlands in the decades that followed.

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🤓 Learn more:

For bringing the pirate radio and TV history to life, watch these archive videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox3Ju3zhFxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia5Dhm9NM3M

General info:
https://rem.amsterdam/en/
https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-amsterdam/rem.html

✍️Quote of the Day:
“Detective work is 90% thinking, 10% running around.”
— Agatha Christie

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🔍 Event Overview: This isn't about moving pieces on a board and competing; it's about stepping into a narrative as an investigator and winning as a team.

Step into the shoes of an investigator for a day of clever deduction, playful fun, and social interaction. In this interactive tabletop game experience, you’ll analyze clues, uncover hidden secrets, and collaborate with fellow participants to crack a thrilling cold case created by Detective for a Day.

Whether you’re a true crime fan, puzzle lover, or just curious to try something new, this is your chance to experience a rare, non-replayable mystery game in a fun, social setting that blends entertainment with intellectual challenge.

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🧠 What Is This Game About?

This is a collaborative game that combines elements of role-playing, puzzle-solving, and narrative storytelling. Each game centers on a fully crafted story—usually a murder, theft, or unsolved cold case. You aren’t just moving pieces on a board; you’re stepping into a narrative as an investigator.

Players receive a case file containing approximately 40 pieces of evidence, including documents, photos, maps, and digital resources such as fake websites. The goal is to analyze these materials, uncover hidden clues, and piece together the story to solve the case. Some clues may even be deliberately misleading or incomplete, requiring careful deduction.

Unlike solo puzzles or traditional board games, these experiences emphasize collaboration and discussion, making them very social. It’s about teamwork, not competition. The experience is designed to be completed in a single session, typically lasting 2–3 hours.

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🤔 Why Is This an Uncommon Experience?

The broad use of the term board games as a catch-all for the more generic tabletop gaming hobby, can lead people to think only about board games as traditional board and dice formats, overlooking the depth and diversity of the tabletop gaming medium. Events like this highlight that richness and encourage people to discover these gaming gems.

Offering a public session like this to play "Detective for a Day" also gives you a rare chance to dive into non-replayable tabletop mystery puzzle games—a niche hobby that only some have experienced, but many end up loving.

Non-replayable means that cases are designed to be solved once. Once the clues are uncovered and the mystery is solved, the story is “consumed” and can’t be played again as the surprises were already revealed. This makes this games rare events, not weekly habits, and one-of-a-kind adventure.

Rare chance means that these games are rarely available for public play, usually enjoyed privately by arranging with others to share the cost of purchasing the game. Specialty game stores may offer some of their mystery games during their open gaming sessions, but it is common for them to offer the more replayable variants (you can bring your own single-case, one-time play game and play with others if their policy allows you too, though).

Finally, Detective for a Day is a relatively new company, and their products are sold exclusively by them. Even if you’ve played similar games before, it’s unlikely you’ve played Detective For a Day games.

⚠️ Note: If you enjoy the experience, I’ve created a dedicated WhatsApp group to connect players for future cold case games. Just ask for the link!

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🕵️‍♂️ What You’ll Experience

• A fully prepared murder mystery case from Detective for a Day
• Collaboration with a small group of detectives to solve the case
• Laughter, surprises, and maybe a few accusations…
• The thrill of a niche tabletop hobby you may have never tried before

⚠️ Note: No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity and a sharp mind!

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📅 Schedule
18:45 – 19:00 → Arrival, welcome, grab food/drinks
19:00 – 21:00 → Game
21:00 → Post-game discussion: share strategies, clues, and maybe start a new detective circle!

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✅ Practical Details
📍 Location: Oba, 7th Floor
🎟️ Price: €0
🎒 What to Bring:

• Pen & paper (optional but helpful)
• Your inner detective
• Money for drinks/snacks at the venue

⚠️ Important Note: Minimum of 5 participants required; otherwise, the event will be cancelled.

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🤓 Learn More:

In the cold-case mystery space, there are two broad formats. Let's explore brands offering these games:

1. Evidence-based case files → you get envelopes, photos, fake reports, police files, maps, sometimes even mock digital resources.

Cryptic Killers (https://cryptickillers.com/)

• Murder at The Movie Theater (1 Easy case)
• Murder fo a Millionaire (1 Easy case)
• Murder at the Magic Mirror Casino (1 Easy case)
• Murder at Merivale Manor (1 Intermediate case)
• Murder of a Marine Biologist (1 Intermediate case)
• Murder on Mount Mortimer (1 Intermediate case)
• Murder at Mediluck Medicines (1 Difficult case)
• Murder in Miami (1 Difficult case)
• Murder of a Musician (1 Difficult case)
• Murder in Market Hill (1 Difficult case)

Detective for a Day (https://detectiveforaday.com/)

• Murder at the Graduation Party (1 Easy case)
• Murder on the Luxury Yacht (1 Intermediate case)
• Murder on the World Tour (1 Difficult case)
• The Cult Member Killings (1 Difficult case)
• The Bank Robery
• The Hollywood Murder

Think Fun

• Cold case: A Pinch of Murder (1 case)
• Cold case: A Story to Die For (1 case)
• Cold case: End of the Line (1 case)
• Cold case: Murder with Interest (1 case)

Space Cowboys (https://www.spacecowboys.fr/our-board-games)

• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders
• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - Carlton House & Queen's Park
• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - Jack the Ripper
• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - The Baker Street Irregulars
• Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere

2. Card-based systems → the game revolves around structured decks of cards that reveal story, suspects, and clues in a controlled way.

Portal Games (https://portalgames.pl/en/)

• Detective – Season One
• Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
• Detective - LA. Crimes Expansion

Megacorpin (https://www.megacorpingames.com/)

• Awkward Guests: The Walton Case
• Awkward Guests 2: The Berwick Cases

Lucky Duck (https://luckyduckgames.com/)

• Chronicles of Crime: London Forensic (core game)
• Chronicles of Crime: Noir
• Chronicles of Crime: 1400
• Chronicles of Crime: 1900
• Chronicles of Crime: 2400