Biological Engineering

Iedereen is welkom op onze open Freedom Friday Bitcoin Turnhout Meetup @ het super gezellige café Sint Pieter - Grote Markt 60, 2300 Turnhout Geen presentaties. Geen workshops. Gewoon 1 onderwerp: bitcoin. **Connect with Like-Minded Minds** Engage with the Bitcoin community and mingle with fellow enthusiasts. This meetup is your chance to discuss the future, share ideas, and network with pioneers in the decentralized money world. 🏢 **Central Location**: café Sint Pieter ligt perfect centraal, een ruim cafe op de grote markt van Turnhout. Mark your calendars and spread the word!

Join us every first Friday of the month to hang out and have a drink. Start off the weekend in a fun way :) Meet familiar faces or some new people, especially if you're new in town. Join us in En Public, a spacious bar/restaurant in Griftpark (near the canal bridge), at the former location of Peter's Bistro. If you can't make it on Friday, try joining Mingle Mania Tuesday drinks. For even more socializing and events in Utrecht, join our [WhatsApp community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE). Feel free to visit our [website](https://utrechters.net). We (your event hosts) are proud to organize this gathering as volunteers, free of charge and without any financial profit for ourselves, with the intention of strengthening local community and that everyone has a nice time. With that in mind, please note that it is nice to support the venue by ordering a drink. We greatly appreciate if you settle your bills at latest by the end of the evening.

**This might be the girls night you didn’t know you needed.** Many women are living in constant “on” mode- always busy, always giving. And somewhere along the way, we forget how good it feels to simply *be together*. This is your invitation to a real **girls night, where you can come as you are.** Every 3 weeks we come together to relax, laugh, connect and support each other — without pressure, without fixing, without performance. **When women gather in a safe and supportive space, something powerful happens.** We uplift each other through shared laughter, honest conversations, and non-judgement presence. Being around other women who get it can make everything feel a little lighter and brighter. It helps us feel less alone, more supported, emotionally stronger - sometimes simply by being in the same room together. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we listen, Sometimes we laugh - and even sing - until our bellies hurt. You’re free to share what’s on your mind, or simply enjoy the energy of being around other women who get it. There’s no agenda. No judgement. Just genuine connection, joy, and friendships that feel *easy and real.* And often, there’s that quiet thought: *“oh wow, I didn’t know I needed this.”* All I ask is that you come exactly as you are — tired, joyful, quiet, loud, curious, or unsure. Everything is welcome. We meet every 3 weeks - in Utrecht, Amsterdam or Leiden - because connection grows when we keep showing up for each other — not perfectly, just honestly. ✨ Come as you are. ✨ Leave feeling lighter, more connected, and a little more yourself.

*Since the guided meditations for this event are in Dutch, this description is too.* Wil je je drukke week afsluiten en ontspannen aan het weekend beginnen? Dan ben je geheel vrijblijvend welkom bij de vrijdagavond meditatie van [Jewel Heart](https://www.jewelheart.nl/). Deze meditatieavond heeft een licht en open karakter. De meditaties bestaan uit drie delen. We beginnen met het gewaarworden van je lichamelijke sensaties. In een korter deel twee doen we een loopmeditatie en in deel drie is er een eenvoudige, geleide visualisatie meditatie. Het geheel wordt afgesloten met een gesprek onder het genot van een kop thee, voor wie daar zin in heeft. 📍[Jewel Heart, Hatertseveldweg 284, Nijmegen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/D4FzqLbkaqs2JNDG8). Loop de oprit op en dan is de ingang aan je rechterzijde 🕒Zaal open vanaf 19.30 uur, meditatie van 20.00 tot 21.00 Je bent van harte welkom! Aan deze activiteit kun je per keer meedoen. Er zijn geen verplichtingen. Op vrijwillige basis kun je op de avond zelf een donatie doen. Kijk ook naar onze -[Open activiteiten](https://www.jewelheart.nl/nl/open-activiteiten/) -[Cursussen](https://www.jewelheart.nl/nl/cursussen-overzicht/)

Join us for a fun Friday night of improv theatre in English. Play, laugh, and meet new people in Utrecht during this welcoming drop-in workshop led by Burgert Kirsten, one of Improv Utrecht’s professional trainers. Everyone is welcome. You do not need any acting experience, and you do not need to be fluent in English. Many participants are not native speakers. Each week, several people join for the very first time, alongside regulars who come back again and again. Expect a group of around 12 to 22 people in total. What to expect Meet a mix of international and Dutch players Learn the basics of improvisation, a valuable modern skill Play fun and accessible theatre games Laugh a lot and surprise yourself along the way Practical information Doors open between 19:50 and 20:00. Please enter together with the group. Workshop time is from 20:00 to 22:00. Full details and route description can be found at www.improvutrecht.nl/drop-in-workshops. After the workshop, people usually head together to the pub De Hondekop for a drink and a chat. How to sign up Please mark yourself as attending via our website at at [www.improvutrecht.nl/drop-in-workshops.](http://www.improvutrecht.nl/drop-in-workshops.) If you can no longer attend, remember to remove your signup so someone else can take your spot. Price Suggested donation €10 to €20, payable in cash or via Tikkie. If you are not able to pay much, you are still very welcome. Pay what you can or what you felt the workshop was worth. Your contribution helps cover the room rental and the professional trainers. Curious about more? Check out our improv courses at [https://www.improvutrecht.nl](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.improvutrecht.nl%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYzVUWUpNcUx3Qmxyc0tCNnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4aOuBKx2VBkJDoGyYCRHQXSTHuVoJHy0WS1bZAftQYuSLPcNgmTQeaBv4hpw_aem_5jJND0IPMoJD8mXqM4l2SA&h=AT0HQGS9N7lDDerT4Jh2s7yQZ3yqXcU3N7DHXcnh_ArhUbPBNnFc1Vs5ILLXJTm8W6M0qWOaOlvHeCdiG9IvYCgONK3G7Mx7YP3_ERn_wSRix-AtI5wPA8WvGq1ijPS5zLOaIIFzJ3kK6yajLPE&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT0toyw-m6q1Kl9A4pude9T05YHtdW_ajvYBWe_MixS8-d0JBdNz089yFCaZxIjsj41oPDYTZr-pLoVp3Nbw6oS2l-b59hWsbjVnOl__PH25Cx3iZDHpMxmtl8_kxDTepak27ZG-3b10bx8fSuh2QAJtRaEuxCrWtVE) Tickets for courses via [https://improv-utrecht.weticket.io](https://improv-utrecht.weticket.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYzVUWUpNcUx3Qmxyc0tCNnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7kmRsV6LQrIsZqtZLBNbCbr9_NHgu23lRTafAiyzXQMBjXirebJNUXyW7-Jg_aem_Ps3bRMMWxOjgfL78fqIL8w) Follow Improv Utrecht Meetup [https://www.meetup.com/utrecht-improv-theater](https://www.meetup.com/utrecht-improv-theater?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYzVUWUpNcUx3Qmxyc0tCNnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4aOuBKx2VBkJDoGyYCRHQXSTHuVoJHy0WS1bZAftQYuSLPcNgmTQeaBv4hpw_aem_5jJND0IPMoJD8mXqM4l2SA) Instagram @improvutrecht Facebook https://facebook.com/ImprovUtrecht

It's time to meet again, catch up and welcome new comers! Hope you're all having an Awesome month! Our meetups should be scheduled every 1st Friday of the month to help the ones who need to plan ahead. If we manage, we will be around the high table facing the bar! Wishing you a prettige dag en tot snel!!! Kristell and Roz

A great ride along the Amstel and Meije rivers and back through the "polder". Please note: there are roadworks near Nes a/d Amstel. This new route will take you past those roadworks safely. Enjoy. **Route:** https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/447406815 **Afterwards:** Beer at Cafe Blek https://maps.app.goo.gl/2w448QjLxvjUBxyj7 **Rules:** \- Download the route to your cycling computer so you can always find your way home \- Make sure to arrive on time \- Before you ride\, decide as a group how you want to ride: you can split up in a fast and a slow group or stay together\, but make sure to discuss what pace you are going to ride and whether you are going to wait if someone is slower than the group\, or not\.

'HOMEGOING' by Yaa Gyasi 'Two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself. Epic in its canvas and intimate in its portraits, Homegoing is a searing and profound debut from a masterly new writer.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

* We **start at 11:10** in front of Hotel Restaurant de Loenermark: Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/4W6e27ij3aqjQnFg6 * Length: \~16 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 bus:** * Bus stop: Loenen, Bruisbeek https://maps.app.goo.gl/863vGKfe8nqBvZfw7 **Getting there by Car:** * Free parking opposite of Groenendaalseweg 15, Loenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6213M7LwEQv8PMg6 or Free parking in the streets, close to: Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/awWbkpVZJVzxmX859 **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://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=eSkpxZf7TymaoFsvJkBCKQ * 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.

Join me for a relaxed sketch walk through the beautiful estates and parks around Hilversum. 📍 Meeting: 11:45 inside Hilversum Station, near AH to go 🥾 Full walk: ~12 km 🚌 Short option: ~7 km with bus back to Hilversum Station after Proeflokaal Serre We’ll make several 20–30 min sketch stops along the way, with time to enjoy the scenery and draw at a relaxed pace. Expected return to Hilversum is around 17:00–18:00 for the full route. Highlights include: * Gooilust park & 17th-century mansion * possible visit to the Siertuin decorative garden (open 13:00–16:30) * horses and farm scenery * local farm shop with fresh dairy products * Jagtlust estate and pond * coffee/tea/food stop at Proeflokaal Serre ☕ Bring your sketchbook, drawing materials, comfortable walking shoes, and something to sit on during sketch stops. All skill levels welcome! In case of heavy rain, the event may be rescheduled.

Do you love books, or have you been wanting to get into reading more? Then this might just be the event for you! At this book swap everyone brings one or a few books they no longer need. We put them all out on the table and from there it's up to you, see if something catches your eye and take home whatever you'd like to read next. Any language is welcome, so bring whatever is sitting on your shelf! At the end of the meetup you can take back the books you brought that weren't picked up, or leave them with the organiser who will donate them to a local secondhand shop. ⚠️ If you're unsure whether you can make it, please free up your spot for someone else.

**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

I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes: Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles: > You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with? ### Questions to Wrestle With * If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt? * Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep? On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement? I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!

Most people still use AI like a search box: type one question, get one answer, repeat. But the next step is AI agents: systems that can take a goal, break it into steps, use tools, remember context, and produce useful work for a human to review. In this beginner-friendly session, we’ll demystify what AI agents actually are — without hype or jargon. We’ll walk through practical examples of how agents can help with research, planning, writing, coding, operations, and personal productivity. We’ll cover: * What makes an AI “agent” instead of just a chatbot * How agents break tasks into steps * Where agents are genuinely useful today * Where they fail, hallucinate, or need human review * How to design simple AI workflows for your own work * A live demo of an AI agent-style workflow from start to finish No coding experience required. This is for anyone who wants to understand where AI tools are going and how to use them more effectively right now. LOGISTICS AND PARKING: The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks! The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

QA or the Highway is a one-day, affordable, regional, professional conference featuring real-world experience and thought leadership in the QA and testing industry. This is a ticketed event please register here: https://www.qaorthehwy.com/ Featured Keynote Speakers: **Matthew-Hope Eland** **(Wizard at Leading EDJE)** \- An AI Specialist and Wizard at Leading EDJE who is known to teach software engineering\, AI\, and data science concepts in the most ridiculous ways possible\. Matt has used machine learning to settle debates over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie\, reinforcement learning to drive the behavior of digital squirrels\, data analytics to suggest improvements to his favorite TV show\, and AI agents to play board games and create an AI agent with the personality of a dog\. Matt is the author of "Data Science in \.NET with Polyglot Notebooks" and "Refactoring with C\#" as well as several LinkedIn Learning courses\. Matt helps organize the Central Ohio \.NET Developer Group\, runs several blogs and a YouTube channel\, has a Master’s of Science in Data Analytics\, and is a current Microsoft MVP in AI and \.NET\. **Tatyana Arbouzova** **(CEO at Innovate QA)** \- Tatyana Arbouzova is an engineering and business leader with a strong background in Quality Engineering across multiple industries\, including Big Tech\, Healthcare\, and Entertainment\. She has held leadership roles at world\-class companies such as Microsoft\, VMware\, Disney\, and The Pokémon Company International\, where she focused on building quality\-driven cultures and scaling teams to deliver high\-impact products\. With decades of experience\, Tatyana has helped organizations transform their quality practices so teams can deliver software efficiently\, confidently\, and with measurable business outcomes\. Today\, Tatyana advises software companies on adopting AI to optimize quality practices and improve how software is delivered at scale\. She is also a passionate community builder and the founder of Innovate QA\, a thriving Seattle\-based community and conference for quality professionals\.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

## 🤝 Host Information A co-hosted event by ProductTank Columbus & Women in Product Columbus 💡 About the Workshop AI adoption is stalling across organizations — not because of a lack of motivation or tools, but because it's fundamentally a behavior design challenge. This hands-on workshop applies proven Behavior Design models and methods to help you move from a vague organizational wish to boost AI adoption to 3-5 concrete, testable interventions you can act on starting tomorrow. Whether you're a product manager, on a product team, or just someone trying to get AI to actually stick at work, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's worth focusing on, what to ignore, and how to drive real, sustained adoption — no guesswork required. 🛠️ What to Bring Laptop: Fully charged and ready to go. AI Assistant: Have your favorite AI assistant pulled up. (Dom will be using Claude, but feel free to use whichever assistant you prefer!) 🍕 Logistics & Perks Food & Drink: Pizza and drinks provided! Parking: Plenty of free spaces available on-site. ###

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. **New to electronics or curious about tinkering?** You’re absolutely welcome. If you’re a beginner and want to experiment, I’ll have a couple of starter kits available so you can try things out—whether that’s blinking your first LED, putting something on a display, or experimenting with simple sensors. No pressure and no experience required—just an interest in learning and building. While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Worthington Park Library in the Olentangy Meeting Room.