Ancient Civilizations

The rise of practical AI tools is exciting. Right now, tools like ChatGPT and other LLMs are our primary touch points with generative AI. But this doesn't mean we should only be generating content with LLMs (for context we'll also briefly touch on non-LLM probabilistic approaches as well). Since these powerful tools are new to all of us and none of us know the future, we'll explore together other ways of using generative LLMs and how this intersects with automation in general. **About David** David works with organizations in early planning for big transformations of complex suites of websites, applications, and systems. David helps companies set their vision, make key systems architecture decisions, and define how to make these major changes happen. Clients include Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Central Bank of Belize; Mideast Broadcasting Corporation; National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; and Novartis.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Ethics of Good Sex,”** a philosophical and practical guide to promoting pleasure while ensuring respect, with Quill R. Kukla, professor of philosophy and disability studies at Georgetown University and author of *Sex Beyond ‘Yes’: Pleasure and Agency for Everyone.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-ethics-good-sex](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-ethics-good-sex) .] Most discourse around sexual ethics—regardless of political orientation—focuses on how sex can go wrong and how we can avoid bad or harmful sex. Our sexual education emphasizes ensuring consent and taking “no” for an answer. But as a society we spend almost no time discussing how to have good sex that is pleasurable for everyone involved and respects everyone’s agency. We are told to make sure that our partner says “yes,” but we are given no tools or roadmaps for what to do to have good sex, rather than minimally ethical sex, after that yes is given. We get no lessons on how to figure out what sexual activities we would actually enjoy, or for how to communicate about sex beyond asking for and giving consent. Gain insights on how to take your discussions with sex partners to the next level with Quill Kukla, a philosopher and long-time participant in queer and kinky alternative sex communities who has written many scholarly and popular articles on sexual consent, communication, and ethics and who consults and gives workshops on safe, pleasurable, and ethical sex in the context of the Berlin club and rave scene. We’ll examine how we can communicate about and enjoy good, pleasurable sex that respects the agency of everyone involved. Among the topics Professor Kukla will discuss: How to figure out what gives us pleasure; how to safely try out new activities that we’re not sure we will like; how to communicate well about sex with our potential partners; and how to manage power differentials within sex. Looking ahead to future generations, Professor Kukla also will discuss how to raise children who will be capable of respecting their partners and of understanding and advocating for their own sexual desires and boundaries. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva

Join us for a discussion and open play Tuesdays at 7pm Lamond Riggs/Huff Library 5401 South Dakota Ave., NE Washington, DC 20011 If you cannot see the flier and instead see the default photo, it means the censorship engine is working. Try [https://www.meetup.com/rockville-chess-meetup/photos/33350169/511337001/](https://www.meetup.com/rockville-chess-meetup/photos/33350169/511337001/) .

Welcome to our new home at the historic Tivoli Theater! Please check our details for access to the space on [our website](https://www.hacdc.org/visit/). Join the discord for questions / help getting in (use channel #let-me-in) [https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT](https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT)

We will have open shop hours for anyone to bring their bikes to work on or need help fixing your own bike. We will also have bikes that need to be fixed so you can learn if you like. We will need everyone to sign in when arriving and sign out when leaving so we can keep track of volunteer hours and shop times. Suggested donation of $15 per hour for use of tools and space would be appreciated. Thank you!

Join us for February's Reboot Hour—a feel-good evening celebrating community, connection, and our shared love for the planet. This month, we're embracing the spirit of Valentine's Day by spreading love to the tech that connects us all. What's Reboot Hour? A monthly gathering where anyone and everyone from the DMV can come together—whether you're a DMV professional, startup founder, sustainability advocate, tech community member, or simply someone who wants to meet people and chill. No judgment, no pressure, just genuine connection with people who want to make the world a better place. This Month's Theme: Love Your Tech We're celebrating how the devices we use every day connect us to the people we love and the planet we protect. Learn why electronics circularity matters for people, planet, and country—and discover how you can make an impact by donating just one device (or a whole box!). What to Expect: ✨ Casual, fun atmosphere with real people who care ️ Learn why electronics circularity is so important ♻️ Discover how donating an unused device creates real impact Meet DMV professionals, founders, advocates, and community members Easy lift: bring one device to donate—or bring a box! Event Details: Carpool, Ballston Tuesday, February 24th ⏰ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Drinks & snacks available at a cash bar! We Meet Every Month! Reboot Hour happens monthly, and we also hold collection events with community partners all over the DMV—like at the upcoming DC Tech Meetup in March and during DC Climate Week in April. Learn More & Get Involved: Visit www.eWasteWarriors.org to learn more about our mission, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. You can help make an impact in your community—no experience necessary! We are Guardians of technology, protectors of the planet. Relove your tech with us! ️♻️

Hello everyone, Wonderful discussion in our last gathering! We have a lovely group of people with great insights. For our next meeting, we will continue discussing Thucydides. We will be reading the introduction (the first 20 chapters of book one or so), Pericles second speech (The Plague), and the Mytilenean Debate. I look forward to seeing you all on the 28th -Dagmar

Join us for a fun singles mixer at a new secret speakeasy in Alexandria VA! Hidden behind a French bistro—where the unmarked entrance is part of the thrill and the night unfolds only for those who know. It’s an intimate escape designed for chemistry, curiosity, and connection. Bar 86’s secret speakeasy blends old-world charm with modern sophistication and an effortlessly upscale atmosphere. The secrecy of the space sets the tone immediately—once you’re inside, it feels like you’ve discovered something special, a world apart from Old Town and the usual routines. This mixer is for singles who value great conversation as much as great vibes. Whether you arrive hoping to spark a romantic connection, meet new friends, or simply enjoy an evening surrounded by interesting people, the energy is relaxed, flirty, and open. Conversations flow easily here, helped along by the intimate setting and the shared sense that everyone chose to be exactly where they are. There’s something about a hidden venue that encourages authenticity. Maybe it’s the cozy elegance, maybe it’s the soft hum of laughter, or maybe it’s the feeling that anything could happen when the night feels just a little bit secret. Our mixer creates the perfect backdrop for those unexpected moments that turn into lasting memories. So slip past the bistro, step into the speakeasy, and let the evening surprise you. New connections await, romantic sparks are welcome, and the only thing required is your curiosity and your best energy. This is your invitation to discover what happens when great people meet in a place that was never meant to be ordinary. **Can't make this event? Sign up for FREE on our website to get updates on future events:** [www.Intelligent.Events](https://www.intelligent.events/ "https://www.Intelligent.Events")

Climbers of all skill levels are welcome to Join "Sends with Friends" rock climbing community for an indoor rock climbing (top rope or lead) event at [Movement Rockville gym](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZZD5jntgU4Y6fY9A9)! **$15 Day-Pass for non-movement climbers!** Here's what you need: 1. Signed [waiver](https://movementgyms.com/waiver/): https://movementgyms.com/waiver/ 2. Belay check, which can be done the same day. See [Your First Visit](https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/) page for more info: https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/ If this is your first time signing the waiver with Movement gyms, **your first visit will be free of charge**, all climbing gears included. To find us, go past the front desk and turn left. We'll gather by the benches next to the fitness room entrance. If you are completely new to climbing, you are welcome to come and try it with us after you take the Introduction to Rope Climbing Course which will be free of charge for you if you let me know. This meetup is free and run by volunteer organizers, however, access to Movement gyms requires a membership or purchase of a day pass. This meetup is for belaytionship only, unwanted advances will not be tolerated. **Sends with Friends Rock Climbing Meetup Waiver and Release of Liability** **NOTICE:** By signing up for this event, you agree to the terms outlined below and acknowledge the inherent risks associated with rock climbing activities. Participation in any event organized by this Meetup group is contingent upon your agreement to this release form. **1\. Assumption of Risk:** I, the undersigned participant, acknowledge and fully understand that rock climbing is a high-risk activity. I am aware that participation involves risks including, but not limited to, physical injury, permanent disability, or death. These risks may arise from, but are not limited to, natural hazards, equipment failure, human error, and the actions or negligence of others. **2\. Release of Liability:** In consideration of being allowed to participate in any activity organized by this Meetup group, I hereby release and discharge the organizer(s), co-organizer(s), event leaders, and all other participants from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or connected to my participation, including claims arising from negligence or gross negligence. **3\. Personal Responsibility:** I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for my own safety during these events. I will use my own judgment in evaluating the risks involved and will take appropriate precautions, including but not limited to: * Wearing appropriate safety gear. * Using reliable climbing equipment. * Following established safety protocols. * Refraining from participating in activities beyond my skill level. **4\. Medical Fitness:** I affirm that I am in good health and physically capable of participating in rock climbing activities. I assume full responsibility for any medical conditions that may affect my ability to participate safely. **5\. Indemnity Agreement:** I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the organizer(s), co-organizer(s), event leaders, and other participants from any claims, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to my actions or participation in these activities. **6\. Photo/Video Release \(Optional\):** By signing this waiver, I grant permission for any photographs or videos taken during the events to be used for promotional or group-related purposes. (Participants may opt out by notifying the organizer.) **7\. Agreement to Follow Rules:** I agree to abide by all rules, instructions, and guidance provided by the event organizers and leaders. Failure to comply may result in my removal from the group. **8\. Acknowledgment of Agreement:** By joining any event organized by this Meetup group, I acknowledge that I have read and understood this waiver and release form. I agree that my participation in any event constitutes my electronic or physical signature to this agreement.

The Black Radical Tradition is a historical current of organized struggle rooted in socialist, Pan-African, internationalist, and decolonial politics that confronts racial capitalism, internal colonialism, and imperial domination. This session unpacks how that tradition has been systematically whitewashed and commodified, reducing revolutionary movements and figures into harmless symbols while erasing their politics, organizations, and strategies. We will examine concrete examples of organized resistance—from RAM and the Panthers to international solidarities with Haiti, Cuba, and Palestine—to assess how different tactics emerged from real material conditions and what they achieved in practice. The discussion will focus on how today’s movements, including PACA’s work for community control and Pan-African unity, must reclaim this lineage and build durable organization capable of resisting liberal cooptation and sustaining long-term struggles for liberation. If you are in the DMV, please join us in-person at the Black Workers and Wellness Center, 2500 Martín Luther King Jr Ave, SE Washington DC. Register to attend (both for in person and virtual) at: [https://blackradicalhistory.eventbrite.com](https://blackradicalhistory.eventbrite.com) Please wear a mask and don’t come if you’re sick!

Coffee and conversation at [Stauf's Coffee Roasters](https://www.staufs.com/) in German Village. Street parking is free on Sundays.

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Connected Westerville Night of Networking flips the script on networking, with surprises and connections that'll make you say, "Who knew networking could be this much fun?!"

This meeting will be an open discussion about the book "an Immense World" by Ed Yong

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow