Otherkin

*Please note: this meetup will be held in English.* In this first meet up, you will be shown a set of immersive artistic and design research experiments. Project Thuis conducts two years of artistic and design research into immersive experiences that place the body at the centre. The central question is: "How can immersive experiences in (semi-)public spaces contribute to a sense of connection, belonging, and 'feeling at home'? To explore this, a multidisciplinary consortium consisting of [Fillip Studios,](https://www.fillipstudios.com/) [affect lab,](https://www.affectlab.org/) [Introdans,](https://introdans.nl/) [Utrecht University,](https://www.uu.nl/staff/SPonzanesi) and the [Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences,](https://civicinteractiondesign.com/) has embarked on a creative journey together. Within the context of Project Thuis, this meetup will focus on artistic and design research forms applicable across various disciplines. **Programme:** 16:00 - 16:15: Opening 16:15 - 17:15: Interactive session 17:15 - 17:30: The role of the maker in the future of immersive experiences 17:30 - 18:00: Networking and drinks (including presence of [CIIIC](https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ciiic.nl%2F&xid=f4ced03a90&uid=2313462&iid=e62065ab18&pool=cts&v=2&c=1780312609&h=0b99fb0b79b5fe3d2625a4891bea9d8bc6ef045db3b8ee6ffe56d6cfc6e501c4)) Within the context of Project Thuis, this meetup will focus on experiments that you, as a maker, can use to conduct artistic and design research across various disciplines. *[This event marks the first in a series for Project Thuis (Home). Ontwerp Platform Arnhem has been invited to organise the meetups. We strongly endorse the importance of initiatives like this, and are highly committed to connecting designers with these themes and consortia](https://www.ciiic.nl/)***[.](https://www.ciiic.nl/)**

Come discuss books and make new friends 🌈✨ How the meeting works: We will meet at the entrance to the park indicated on the map at 19:00, then find a suitable spot to have our discussion. Bring a blanket or jacket to sit on and your favorite drinks/snacks! Once we are settled we will go in a circle introducing ourselves, followed by a loosely organized chat about the book. June's book will be She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (they/them). Gender bendery fantasy historical fiction with lesbian rep from what I have heard. It is available at de bibliotheek, as well as to purchase in several formats. In a famine-stricken village on a dusty yellow plain, two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness… In 1345, China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected. When a bandit attack orphans the two children, though, it is Zhu Chongba who succumbs to despair and dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother's identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice. There, propelled by her burning desire to survive, Zhu learns she is capable of doing whatever it takes, no matter how callous, to stay hidden from her fate. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu takes the chance to claim another future her brother's abandoned greatness. The meeting will take place at Julianapark. Everyone is welcome who has read the book (or DNF, and is okay with spoilers) by the time of the meetup. The book club is hosted in English. Please update your RSVP if you find out you cannot attend. Hope to see you there! 🏳️‍🌈📚

In Orbit is not just an event — it's an ongoing constellation of thinkers, makers, collectives, and technologists who come together to stay in motion. We believe that when ideas, people, and practices continuously orbit one another, something powerful happens: unexpected collaborations, shared momentum, and new creative possibilities. This is where creative technology and immersive art meet in an open environment designed for exchange and experimentation. Whether you're here to explore, brainstorm, test, observe, or simply connect — you're part of the orbit. We are proud to welcome Max Frimout to perform at this edition sharing his talent as composer and musician. Also Keez Duyves will do an indepth talk about some of the wrong turns he took as a maker.

[Code & Comedy 2026](https://codeandcomedy.nl/) **Get ready to dive into the world of Code & Comedy 2026!** The conference for and by developers where code and humour come together. Returning for its 7th edition, Code & Comedy is set to unite 250 developers for an evening of coding, laughter, and inspiration. Enjoy inspiring talks and workshops and connect with your fellow developers. This year’s theme is “Trust Me, I’m an Agent,” exploring the rapidly evolving world of AI agents, automation, and modern software development. Join us for an engaging evening where we dive into how autonomous systems are changing the way we build, test, and run software. The event kicks off with a keynote session by Jeroen van der Most, followed by engaging breakout sessions covering a variety of topics across software development. To cap off the night, comedian Kim Schuddeboom will provide the evening with a laugh. **Schedule** **17:00 – 18:20** Welcome & Dinner **18:30 – 18:35** Opening **18:35 – 19:20** Keynote - Beyond the Boundaries of AI by Jeroen van der Most **19:45 – 20:15** Breakout sessions 1: * Be Precise or Be Surprised: Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec Kit by Roelant Dieben * SQL 2025 vector searching with a local Ollama hosting the mxbai-embed-large LLM by Theo Ekelmans * Agentic-AI: Building an AI oriented Kubernetes platform using AI agents by Sander Mathijssen * The AI realist by Bjorn Schijff * Be Aware of the Context You Provide by Gijsbert Nutma **19:45 – 20:15** Breakout sessions 2: * Close the gap between AI and Robotics with Java 25 by Ricky van Rijn * Choosing the Right LLM, Automatically by Stuart van der Lee * Building Flexible AI Avatars for Immersive Training by Arco Nederveen & Saskia Groenewegen * Build an AI Agent That Actually Does Your Work: MCP + LangGraph by Peter Eijgermans * Build an agent into any app with the GitHub Copilot SDK by Bart Wullems **21:10 – 21:45** Comedy by Kim Schuddeboom **21:50 – 23:00** Drinks Register @ https://codeandcomedy.nl/

¡Compartamos juntos con el grupo de personas más divertido de la ciudad!... ¡en español! No necesitas ser un hablante fluido o nativo.... ¡Solo atrévete a compartir! Te esperamos a las 20hrs.... ¡Entrada gratuita! ¡Nos vemos! ¡Hasta entonces! 😃 Let's share together with the funniest group of people in town!... in Spanish! You don't need to be a fluent or native speaker.... Just dare to share! We wait for you at 20hrs ....Free entry! Nos vemos! Tot dan! 😃 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/habladores/ Meetup Link: https://www.meetup.com/nl-NL/los-habladores/ Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/los_habladores_utrecht/ Los Habladores!

**Your data, AI's knowledge: who owns what?** Mine, Yours, or the Machine's? The truth about data ownership by [Iwona Droog-Echt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iwona-droog-echt-a83400/). A practical and thought-provoking talk on one of the most important questions in today's digital world: **who actually owns data?** As Head of Operations & Security, Iwona Droog-Echt combines her experience in security, privacy and governance to explore the complex relationship between data ownership, legal responsibility and artificial intelligence. Her talk will cover the definitions (data, information, privacy, security, owner, controller, processor, etc.), legal aspects of data ownership and grey area about data ownership and AI and share some tricky examples to discuss. The program is as follows: **17.30** Door open, welcome drinks **18.00** Word of welcome by [Stijn Sprenkels](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijnsprenkels/), serving of snacks **18.15** Talk by Iwona Droog-Echt **18.45** Q&A, discussion **19.15** Networking drinks **20.00** End **Almere Tech** is the meetup for the larger Almere area for startups, entrepreneurs, developers and those interested to discuss new technology. Everybody can join in for a drink and hopefully interesting and inspiring conversations.

Hallo liebe Java User Group Mitglieder! Diesmal haben wir zwei Bonner Kollegen zu Gast: * Martin Stoller: **Backend-Performance in Hochlast-Systemen: Lösungsansätze aus dem Data Engineering** * Andreas Monschau: **Zehn goldene Regeln, um dein Softwareprojekt zuverlässig zu ruinieren** Wir freuen uns euch zu sehen (virtuell oder vor Ort). Dank an [codecentric](https://www.codecentric.de/standorte/nuernberg) für Location, Bier und Pizza! ================= Viele Hochlast-Systeme beginnen als kleine, unscheinbare Prototypen - gebaut mit bewährten Mitteln wie relationalen Datenbanken, objektorientierter Business-Logik und klassischen Request-Response-Architekturen. Doch was passiert, wenn diese Systeme plötzlich nicht mehr Tausende, sondern Millionen von Requests bedienen oder Terabytes an Daten verarbeiten müssen? In der Praxis zeigt sich häufig: Klassische Optimierungen wie Caching, horizontale Skalierung oder effizientere Algorithmen stoßen irgendwann an ihre Grenzen, weil sie innerhalb desselben Paradigmas bleiben. Dieser Vortrag zeigt, warum echte Skalierbarkeit oft ein Umdenken erfordert. Anhand eines durchgehenden Praxisbeispiels wird schrittweise demonstriert, wie sich ein System von einer latenzoptimierten Request-Response-Architektur hin zu einem durchsatzoptimierten, analytischen System entwickelt. Dabei werden zentrale Konzepte aus dem Data Engineering greifbar gemacht - darunter Precomputation, Batch Processing, deklarative Verarbeitung und Denormalisierung - und in den Kontext klassischer Backend-Entwicklung eingeordnet. Die Teilnehmenden lernen, typische Grenzen traditioneller Architekturen zu erkennen und erhalten ein alternatives Denkmodell, um High-Throughput-Systeme gezielt und nachhaltig zu skalieren. ================= Softwareprojekte sind chaotisch, anstrengend und voller Überraschungen. Und ganz ehrlich: So soll es auch bleiben. Ordnung würde ja nur den Spaß verderben. Trotzdem gibt es immer wieder Menschen, die glauben, man könnte Projekte wirklich zu Erfolg führen… unglaublich, oder? Damit dir so etwas nicht passiert, zeige ich dir in diesem Vortrag, wie du ein Softwareprojekt in 10 einfachen Schritten zuverlässig an die Wand fährst. Die „goldenen Anti-Pattern für maximalen Projektschaden“ entstammen jedoch nicht meiner Fantasie, nein, sie werden in der Realität täglich mit beeindruckender Konsequenz praktiziert. Und das Beste: Sie wirken nachhaltig. Manche dieser Muster entfalten ihre volle Zerstörungskraft erst Monate später. Nachdem du alle Regeln kennengelernt hast, kannst du selbst entscheiden: Möchtest du sie weiterhin anwenden, oder vielleicht doch etwas verändern? Solltest du allerdings inspiriert sein, eines dieser Anti-Pattern künftig noch konsequenter zu leben… dann sollten wir uns nach dem Talk dringend unterhalten. ================= Dein Vortrag bei der Java Usergroup Nürnberg! Hast du dich in letzter Zeit in deinem Projekt oder privat mit einem interessanten Thema beschäftigt? Vermutlich ist das nicht nur für dich selbst interessant! Hast du Lust, selber einmal einen Vortrag bei der Java-Usergroup Nürnberg zu halten? Wir sind nicht nur auf Java-Themen fokussiert, sondern beschäftigen uns gern mit und um alles über Software Entwicklung und IT. Wir wollen bei der JUG nicht nur bekannten Speaker\*innen eine Plattform geben und die neuesten State-of-the-Art Technologien vorstellen. Wir freuen uns auch besonders, wenn wir Themen aus unserem technologischen (Arbeits-)alltag Raum geben zu können. Melde dich gerne bei uns, wenn du dazu Lust hast, wir geben wenn gewünscht gerne auch Hilfestellung bei der Vorbereitung!

**Modern and Authentic kintsugi workshop in Utrecht.** Choose from three options: * 1-Day Modern Kintsugi workshop-€60 * 2-Day Modern Kintsugi workshop-€96 * 4-Day Authentic Kintsugi workshop -€180 For all details, please visit my website. [https://japanworkshopnet.com/upcoming-workshops/](https://japanworkshopnet.com/upcoming-workshops/) Location: **CLAY TO PLATE** [Biltstraat 55, 3572 AG, Utrecht](https://www.claytoplate.com/) **Booking is essential**. Please contact me if you would like to participate in the workshop. Email: info@japanworkshopnet.com Mobile:0616059840

**Welcome to The AI Meetup, the premier gathering for AI enthusiasts and beyond!** Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in the field of artificial intelligence, The AI Meetup offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, network with peers, and gain valuable insights into the world of AI. **Timetable** 18.00 - Doors open: have a drink and a chat w/ other guests 18.45 - Kick-off 19.00 - Tom Mulder ([Pollen Robotics](https://www.pollen-robotics.com/), part of [Hugging Face](https://huggingface.co/)) 19.45 - Julius Brussee (Founder [Caveman](https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman/) & [Stacklink](https://stacklink.nl/)) 20.30 - Pizza and Drinks: time to share knowledge and insights 21.30 - Let's wrap It up The AI Meetup covers a wide range of topics and disciplines. Whether you're a data scientist, AI researcher, developer or just someone with a passion for all things AI, you don't want to miss this. PS Did we already say there's pizza and drinks!

Join the Dutch Outdoor and Hiking Group for a day hike and enjoy Beautiful shell path along the Lower Rhine and visiting De blauwe Kamer and hiking on the Grebbeberg * We **start at 11:00** from the train station in Rhenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/CrbeFtQPutUSYWFp7 * Length: \~18 km (4 - 5 hr hiking) * What to bring: lunch, water, snack. * For whom: As always, sporty folks that like to combine social event with being active in nature. **Getting there by Train:** * To train station in Rhenen. https://maps.app.goo.gl/CrbeFtQPutUSYWFp7 **Getting there by Car:** * Free Parking: Stationsplein, 3911 AP Rhenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/qVrH9pA5JK2prQPg9 **Note:** * Please **pay a small fee (3 euro)** to help us cover the (increased) yearly Meetup contribution of 240 euro. We'll ask you to pay before the start of the hike (can be on the day itself). No refunds, but in the unlikely event that hike would be cancelled and you already paid, you don't need to pay for your next hike. Thank you so much! Use the **safe link** here: https://www.ing.nl/payreq/m/?trxid=WrVKENccZiV4tdRSPrVbFG4WVyikUVQn * Keep in mind that the hike can be canceled when the weather is very bad (**always check the event before you go**). * If you RSVP 'yes' we expect you to show-up. Please do not cancel less than 24 hours before the hike. **No-shows** will lead to your removal from the group. Thanks for the understanding. * By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.

I'm excited to host the 24st edition of *Strangers to Friends*! Every event so far has been warm, fun and full of great connections. So we’re doing it again! Curious about our previous events? Check out our photo albums (only visible on the laptop version of Meetup). **What to expect** * A safe, relaxed environment to meet both locals and expats, whether you want to meet new people, experience an international atmosphere or talk about business, it’s all possible. * Start the evening with a few rounds of conversation cards: pair up with someone you don’t know, answer meaningful questions and rotate every 10 minutes. Within just one hour, you’ll get to know several people really well and enjoy meaningful conversations. * Everyone comes on their own, so it’s easy to connect. **Practical details** * Doors open at 20:00, after 30 minutes we start with conversation cards * Venue: Boekencafé Libertas, Klarendalseweg 477-1, Arnhem * 20 min walk from Arnhem Central * 7 min walk from Arnhem Velperpoort * You’ll receive 1 drink token for (beer/wine/soft drinks) and snacks all night! * Find us on the right side of the café at the bar, by the window and garden Bring a smile and join us for an evening where friendships grow, business ideas spark and real-life connections happen. Back to basics, away from screens, meeting face-to-face. Warm regards, Julia

Join us for a fun session of improv theatre in English! A great opportunity to meet new people in Utrecht and learn something new with [Improv Utrecht](https://improvutrecht.nl). Everyone can partcipate, you don't need any experience in theatre nor fluency in English. In this session you will: * Meet fellow international and local players. * Learn the basics of improvisation, a 21st-century skill that is useful in many aspects of life. * Get out of your head. * Enjoy failing. * Play funny and moving theatre games. * Laugh a lot, while surprising yourself and others. Doors open: 19:50-20:00, come in with the others ([SIDE entrance, at the Troelstralaan](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ntLDUqbkDxMHjp7B7)). After 20:01 the door may be closed, but you may find a participant who knows the door code. Workshop: 20:00-22:00 Every Friday except in school holidays Afterwards we have drinks at [O'Leary's](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gL878K1MZf8v5fpm7) pub together ### How to sign up Full details about how to sign up and any other questions you may have can be [found on our website](https://www.improvutrecht.nl/drop-in-workshops/). An RSVP in this Meetup event is not enough! We track attendance by counting the attendants in GrasshopperSignup. If you flag yourself as attending and can no longer make it, please delete your x in the sheet so that someone else can take your spot. If you leave your contact details at the Signup form we will contact you if there is a problem with a drop-in you are scheduled to attend. We also have a WhatsApp group with a variety of members from across Utrecht where we share events and updates. You can find our courses and shows on [our website](https://www.improvutrecht.nl). Participation is pay-what-you-can, but we suggest a donation of €10-20 by cash or Tikkie to help cover costs (location, travel) and show your appreciation for our professional trainers who dedicate their Friday to promoting improv.

Bakery Walk: A Sunday Girls Stroll Let’s romanticize our Sundays in Amsterdam. ☕🥐 We’ll meet and start with a relaxed city walk for coffee & pastries. Between stops, we’ll: ✨ Mix & match conversation buddies ✨ Use fun conversation cards (no awkward small talk) ✨ Get our steps in (pastries taste better after walking 😉) Perfect for new expats and women looking to build genuine friendships in Amsterdam. Come solo. Leave with new connections Please note: everyone buys their own pastries & drinks at the bakeries. That way you can pick what you like best! **Join our WhatsApp group💕** https://chat.whatsapp.com/JFgvbHvRLoP5P9K3GtwGlU?mode=gi_t

Who says games are just for kids? Remember playing games when you're a kid with no need for a manual and no responsibiliies? That's what we're doing. Tag, Cops and Robbers, Ninja... Stir up the memories of what made you happy and bring that pure joy out. Sign up through this [1 question form.](https://forms.gle/XWHNG63iyzuumEon8) To make our inner child completely satisfied, we'll reward ourselves with a hangout and pancakes at Teahouse Rhijnauwen after! 💵 Price : Free 👝What to bring: water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, an open mindset

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

Join us as we get together for a CAPA Summer Movie event to see the romantic, funny, heartwarming, feel-good classic, PRETTY WOMAN! Julia Roberts and Richard Gere star in this modern-day fairy-tale romance! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A wealthy corporate raider hires a Hollywood escort as his date for a week of high-society business events. But what starts as a business transaction blossoms into genuine love, challenging both of their lives and leading to an unexpected romance. The film is directed by Garry Marshall and stars Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), Laura San Giacomo and Jason Alexander. MINI TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JghOdhAwc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JghOdhAwc) SHORT BONUS CLIP #1 - DIRECTOR GARRY MARSHALL Recalls Famous Scenes from the Film: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpIMOzieGPs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpIMOzieGPs) SHORT BONUS CLIP #2 - RICHARD GERE on the Film’s Impact all these years later: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0T3O94dAA8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0T3O94dAA8) SHORT BONUS CLIP #3 - JULIA ROBERTS Remembers a Gift from Director Garry Marshall: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4AZSjbMsA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4AZSjbMsA) BUZZ & ACCLAIM: A huge box office hit at the time of its release, PRETTY WOMAN has since gone on to become a modern-day classic! The film catapulted Julia Roberts to superstardom and earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress and her first Oscar nomination! Critics praise Julia Roberts’ star-making performance, the undeniable chemistry between her and Richard Gere, and its warm, funny feel-good story about kindness, self-worth and transformation! The film’s “intelligence and wit,” “first-class performances” and “sharp, funny script” have made Pretty Woman a classic and truly “something special!” THE OHIO THEATRE: The Ohio Theatre is located at 39 E. State Street, between 3rd and High Streets, across the street from the Ohio Statehouse. From classical music to modern dance, yearly family traditions to hot concerts, the world’s best artists come to the 2,791-seat, historic Ohio Theatre. The breathtaking details (including the 21-foot-high chandelier!) of its opulent, Spanish-Baroque architecture make any night at the Ohio Theater an event to remember! PRE-SHOW ENTERTAINMENT: Now celebrating his 33rd year as featured organist for the CAPA Summer Movie Series, Clark Wilson will again provide pre-show entertainment at the keyboards and controls of the Ohio Theatre’s treasured “Mighty Morton” theatre organ 30 minutes prior to each screening. PARKING: Parking is available at Columbus Commons Parking Garage off 3rd or Rich Streets or in Statehouse Parking Garage off 3rd Street. You can find out more about parking in Downtown Columbus by visiting the Downtown Columbus website. PLAN: Purchase your ticket for the 7:30pm showing and we’ll meet outside the theater between 6:50 and 7:00pm. We’ll head in at 7pm to get good seats and enjoy the pre-show organ music! TICKETS: Tickets just $6 adult / $5 senior! Parking is available under the Capital building, in the nearby garage, or on the nearby streets. You can purchase your ticket at the box office on the day of the event or online here: [https://www.capa.com/capa-summer-movie-series/](https://www.capa.com/capa-summer-movie-series/) Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection? * And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.

**Pagans on the Patio! Summer/Fall Series** A casual gathering the first Thursday of each month. Time to relax, meet new people, and reconnect with old friends. There is no charge for the event itself and all are welcome but there are a few guidelines: 1. **You are expected to purchase food and/or drink to compensate the Cantina and our server.** 2. **No soliciting. Do not bring samples of your wares or brochures of your services.** 3. **Please respect the spiritual and political views of others that are present. No disruption of the peace.** In case of inclement weather, we will find seating indoors. I hope to see you there. Blessed be! \~ Cynthia ❤️---