Cognitive Science

'THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB' by Richard Osman 'Smart, compassionate, warm, moving and so VERY funny' Marian Keyes 'So smart and funny. Deplorably good' Ian Rankin 'Thrilling, moving, laugh-out-loud funny' - Mark Billingham In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late? The Times Crime Book of the Month Guardian Best Crime and Thrillers. ***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

Join us for a 9km walk in the beautiful East of the Utrecht Region. As the route will be taking us along the Egelmeer lake and Prattenburg estate, you may expect forest mixed with some heathlandscapes, which makes this a great walk if you want to get out in the nature. The start and end point of this walk will be Veenendaal-West train station, where we'll be meeting right next to the platform where the train from Utrecht will arrive. We'll wait for the 10.40AM train to arrive and then depart at around 10.45AM. If you're arriving late, we won't let the whole group wait for you, but you can send a WhatsApp message to +31621177691 so we can send you our live location and you can try to catch up with us. For those coming by car, there is a free parking right next to the station, at the Dichterslaan. Please be aware that Veenendaal-West is just a small train station and there are no public toilets there. Also there are no public toilets on our route. Therefore please visit a restroom before arriving. Do you think about joining, but you're not sure if it's something for you? Utrecht Hiking Community aims to organise one hike per month in or around Utrecht, often in collaboration with UR-Glocal, which organises expat activities in Utrecht Region. If you're in for a hike with a bunch of friendly other hiking enthusiasts, you're very welcome to join, no matter whether you're an expat, local, tourist, nomad, student, professional, beginner, alone or with friends. The hikes are a great way to meet people from different backgrounds while being active and out in nature. We call this 'Social Hiking'. If you love to hike fast, we might not be the right group for you though, as for us it's important that beginners can join and have a good time as well. Dogs are allowed on almost the whole route, but need to be kept on a leash at several parts. At the end of the route there is one small part where dogs aren't allowed, but there's an easy little detour available. If you want, you can join for a lunch afterwards in the snackbar/lunchroom next to the train station. Participation in the hike is for free, but we do make some costs for it. Especially the yearly MeetUp subscribtion for organisers is quite expensive. Therefore, if you like the hike and would like to support us, a donation would be very welcome. Donations can be made using this link: https://www.ing.nl/payreq/m/?trxid=Mx3BLcfeIITcTMIHEHnpeAKKIFrWFukB For an impression of this route or of our previous, please check and follow our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/utrecht.hiking.community We hope to see you on Saturday in Veenendaal!

We begin our journey at Arnhem Central Station and will be rolling into the landscapes of the Veluwezoom, combining historic estates, peaceful forests, and one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Netherlands. We start at Arnhem Central Station, from where we quickly leave the city behind and enter the green oasis of Sonsbeekpark. Here we walk through the beautiful parkland and stop at the Belvedere Toren to enjoy views over the park and surrounding area. From Sonsbeekpark, the route continues to 18th-century Huis Zypendaal, a historic country estate set in a quiet, wooded environment. The hike then leads us deeper into nature as we enter the Waterberg national forest, where forest trails and natural surroundings provide a calm and refreshing atmosphere. We’ll take a short break here (8-9km). We will leave Arnhem behind and make our way to Rozendaal and will visit at Kasteel en Park Rosendael, a beautiful castle estate known for its gardens and water features. This will be our lunch break, with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. After lunch, the hike continues toward Veluwezoom National Park and pass Rozendaalse Veld and will have a break at the Posbank Paviljoen, one of the highlights of the route. From here, we enjoy a panoramic view over the heathlands and hills of the Veluwezoom—an unforgettable moment and a perfect photo opportunity. The final stretch leads us downhill to Rheden Central Station, where the hike ends and public transport is available for the return journey. Or you can treat yourself to tasty pancake before you leave. This hike offers a varied experience of city parks, historic estates, forests, and open landscapes, making it a rewarding and memorable day outdoors. **📍When and where to meet?** We’ll meet at 11:00 at Arnhem Centraal train station. https://maps.app.goo.gl/W5tuBVNqbJ4zQw9B6 ⏰ We **start walking a few minutes after meeting up** — we don’t wait for latecomers, as the forest calls and daylight is short this time of year. **🚗 Coming by car?** There is a big parking next to the train station **⏸️ Planned Breaks** After 8 km: short break at Waterberg park After 13 km: Lunch break at Kasteel and Park Rosendael https://maps.app.goo.gl/skttJQdakUHrjLAS9 After 19km: break at the Posbank Paviljoen https://maps.app.goo.gl/wowuqj3sRY5hcid37 **💸 Payment** Please pay as soon as you sign up: To keep things fair for everyone, if we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours, we will need to remove you from the participant list. If there’s a waiting list, this will happen sooner (in less than 48 hours). If that happens, no worries — you’re always welcome to sign up again if there’s space. 🌟 Early Bird Deal! Join now for just €4 — available for 3 days (72h). After that, the price will be €5. https://tikkie.me/pay/7flhf3f6erltb3cv5635 **👟 Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 31 January at 23h59). After this period, the fee becomes non-refundable. * Hike difficulty: Our hikes are moderately challenging. Please only join if you’re confident you can keep up with the group’s pace (5 km/ h)— it’s more fun for everyone when we can walk together without long waits. * If the pace is too challenging: We may kindly suggest you continue at your own pace. We’ll give you clear directions to the nearest bus or train so you can return comfortably. * At your own risk: You participate at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage for outdoor activities. * Payment note: With Tikkie we only see initials (e.g., J. Doe instead of John Doe). Please include your Meetup name in the payment note so we can match it easily. * Friends joining: If you bring a friend, make sure they also register and pay. * What to bring: Snacks, lunch, and water/ or hot thee/ coffee (depending on the hike distance). * Stay connected: Join our WhatsApp group to be the first to hear about future hikes — ask for the QR code during the hike. * T-shirts: Fairwear-certified organic cotton, eco-friendly inks — €25. Sustainable, odor-resistant, and perfect for hiking. Let us know your size and we’ll bring one for you.

We'll kick off this new Shared Reading group with the prologue to Adam Phillips' Missing Out: In Praise of the Unlived Life. This group is a shared, interactive reading experience, so you do not have to purchase or to have read the book beforehand. Copies of the prologue, which is a few pages long, will be distributed at the event, and we will read key sections of this chapter together. The session will take place at the circular table in the cafe at Dekker v.d. Vegt, in the center of Nijmegen. In the event that there are more participants than expected, we will move to the long table. Looking forward to seeing you there!

FREE EVENT Join us for an unforgettable day of board gaming in Utrecht! Our convention is dedicated to the **art of game design**, where you can **play test prototypes**, learn about the **creative process** and meet other **passionate gamers**. Whether you’re an experienced game designer or simply love to play, we offers something for everyone. With a focus on innovation and creativity, you’ll have the opportunity to test out **new games**, **gain insights from seasoned designers**, and learn more about **board game creation**. **We can’t wait to see you there!** Find out more on https://spellenmaakgilde.nl/xxl/ soon!

Saturday 7 February we will have another XXL testing event at the library in Utrecht. Designers you can book a table to playtest/demo your games. Sales are allowed. You can sign up to the event via the google form shared in the Amsterdamn Board Game Design Discord. [Or via a redirect on our northern Guild website. ](https://spellenmaakgilde.net/2026/01/05/tabletop-testing-night-6-february-2026/) Joost Das is the designer that set it up, kudo's go to him!

Maki-e is a traditional Japanese lacquer decoration technique. Techiniques are involved drawing pictures, patterns, and letters on the surface of lacquerware using lacquer, and then sprinkling and fixing metal powder, such as gold or silver, onto the surface. In our workshop, you have the opportunity to create maki-e designs using traditional Japanese patterns (wagara) or your own original designs. Then your canvas can be a glass cup or a glass picture frame. Join us for this unique Japanese art workshop in Utrecht. * Place: CLAY TO PLATE Biltstraat 55, 3572 AG, Utrecht * Price: three options you can choose from €56 pp(for a glass cup) €60 pp (for a glass picture frame) €76 pp (for a lacquerwares) Limited seats available. **Booking is essential for adequate preparations. If you've enrolled/registered on the Meetup app, we'll contact you through the app message. Kindly communicate with us accordingly, and refrain from showing up without prior contact. We appreciate your understanding** Website:[https://japanworkshopnet.com/ ](https://japanworkshopnet.com/) [MAKI-E workshop info](https://japanworkshopnet.com/maki-e-workshops/) Email: info@japanworkshopnet.com Mobile:0616059840

**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

*Since this event will be in Dutch, this description is too.* Ben je benieuwd naar wat het Tibetaans boeddhisme inhoudt en zoek je een plek waar je op een ontspannen en toegankelijke manier kunt kennismaken? Of ben je gewoon op zoek naar een moment van rust, meditatie en reflectie? Dan ben je van harte welkom bij *Heart of Compassion*, een reeks zondagochtendbijeenkomsten waarin compassie het centrale thema vormt. Aan deze activiteit kun je per keer meedoen. Tijdens deze ochtenden beginnen we met een gezamenlijke meditatie. Daarna volgt een korte inleiding op een boeddhistisch thema, zoals de [Vier Edele Waarheden](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vier_edele_waarheden), compassie voor jezelf en voor anderen. We nemen vervolgens de tijd om samen stil te staan bij het onderwerp, in de vorm van een gesprek of een geleide meditatie die uitnodigt tot reflectie. **Voor wie?** Of je nu net begint met het verkennen van boeddhisme of gewoon op zoek bent naar een moment van rust, iedereen is welkom. Ervaar de kracht van compassie in een toegankelijke en rustige sfeer. **Praktische informatie** -Begeleiding: Eline Rinchen Dorjee-Weiman -Ontvangst: vanaf 10:15 uur en na de bijeenkomst is er tijd voor een kopje thee -Plaats: [Jewel Heart, Hatertseveldweg 284, 6532 XX Nijmegen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/D4FzqLbkaqs2JNDG8). Loop de oprit op en dan zit de ingang aan je rechterzijde -Kosten: Aan deze bijeenkomsten zijn geen kosten verbonden -Aanmelding is niet nodig Kijk ook naar onze andere [open activiteiten](https://www.jewelheart.nl/nl/open-activiteiten/) en [cursussen](https://www.jewelheart.nl/nl/cursussen-overzicht/)

**Meetup & Mad Cow Comedy Show (please purchase a ticket in advance for the show [here](https://shop.weeztix.com/7644a480-d5a7-4264-a27a-ed697bb17fc9/events?shop_code=3qjd24qv))** 🎟️ TICKETS: https://bit.ly/Expats_Utr_Comedy 🕒 Show starts at 15:00 \| Doors open at 14:00 🍺🥨 Grab a drink or snack from Kartoffel’s tasty menu **From 14:00 – Join the Meetup!** Before the show kicks off, come by early for our pre-show Meetup from 14:00. It's a relaxed and friendly way to meet other internationals living in Utrecht, especially if you're new in town or just looking to connect. Our lovely host **Gisele** will be there to welcome you and introduce you to a few friendly faces. Whether you come solo or with friends, you're guaranteed a warm vibe and some easy laughs before the comedy even starts! 🐮 **From 15:00 - The Show!** Mad Cow Comedy hosts an afternoon of stand-up comedy performed by various international acts, all performing in English. Utrecht-based comedian, Rachel Morton-Young, introduces a different mix of comedians every 2 weeks, so no two shows are ever the same. **Kartoffel:** Our show now takes place in the Biergarten at Kartoffel, a German-themed restaurant along the historic Oudegracht (only a 10 minutes walk from Utrecht Central Station). The venue has great, affordable food, so considering coming early for lunch, or staying for a bite after the show. 🐮 **Hosted by Rachel Morton-Young** Rachel brings the energy, warmth and cheeky charm Mad Cow Comedy is known for. She’s a British comic living in Utrecht and the mastermind behind these monthly mayhem-filled shows. **Line-ups:** **7th September 2025** Triple Headliner show with Ollie Horn, Andrew Silverwood and John Robertson (a.k.a. Mr Dark Room), supported by Sharon Em **21st September 2025** Special Fundraiser for War Child - get tickets here: [https://warchildfundraiser2025.eventbrite.nl](https://warchildfundraiser2025.eventbrite.nl/ "https://warchildfundraiser2025.eventbrite.nl") **5th October 2025** Juliette Burton, Pernille Haaland, Mike Sheer, Jim Williams, Fedor **19th October 2025** Raul Kohli, Kyle Legacy, Rosie Wilby, Soula Notos **2nd November 2025** Martin Angolo, Ger Staunton, David Gamble, Zoe Ntonta **16th November 2025** Leslie Gold, Jade Esteban Estrada, support acts tbc. **Upcoming Dates:** * 30th November 2025 * 14th December 2025 * 11th January 2026 * 25th January 2026 * 8th February 2026 * 22nd February 2026 * 8th March 2026 * 22nd March 2026 * 5th April 2026 * 19th April 2026 * 3rd May 2026 * 17th May 2026 (Season finale!) **What Customers Say about Mad Cow Comedy (from Tripadvisor):** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐*"The highlight of my visit to Utrecht!! I had tears laughing, the absolute perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Very professional show, lovely community vibe, cosy venue and fab food and drinks."* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐*"Great mix of comedians. Rachel the host is energetic and brings a different mix of stand up acts every two weeks. I have been a few times now and it's always a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon."* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐*"Amazing line up of comedians. A fun afternoon. The best 3 hrs full of laughter. Great line, witty people, well organised"* 🐮 See you there?

Let us meet, have a coffee and code together, or just discuss :)! This Meetup is everyone that considers himself "Techie", in the broad sense and wants to socialize :). Join us and chat, ask your questions, or work on your own projects. The choice is yours! There is no agenda, this is simply a gathering of interested folks :). We're meeting at Lebkov right inside the Utrecht Centraal station. We're typically sitting at the large table. Search for the folks with the laptops in the back! You are very welcome to join whether you are an experienced developer, or simply interested and want to chat!

🎶Calling all music lovers, players, and listeners!🎶 Do you play an instrument, love listening to live spontaneous jam sessions or just want to meet new people? Come join us for a musical evening at Cafe Domkop! 🎸🎹🥁Feel free to bring your own instrument if you have. There will be one keyboard, one guitar, one bass, cajón and two mics on site already. From beginners to pros, everyone is welcome to join. 👋 **Meetup hosts will be there from 17:00 to 19:00** \- you’re welcome to join anytime\. 🎶 **Jam session is from 17:00 to 20:00** \- stay as long as you like and enjoy the vibe!

You’re invited to join a relaxed bicycle trip combined with an exciting (board) game. We’ll start in Utrecht and let the game guide our route. Where we end up is part of the game and will be decided along the way, but the distance will not be more than 50-60 km :) During the bicycle ride, we’ll pause for puzzles and activities such as charades, singing, dancing, and other challenges! This is not a race, we’ll cycle at an easy pace and focus on enjoying the journey together. **What to bring:** * A bicycle * Warm clothing * A good mood :) We will get some lunch on the way, hope you can come along for a cycle adventure where the journey is more important than the destination :)

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

This meetup is a beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop focused on building shaders in Unity using Shader Graph. Instead of slides or theory-heavy lectures, we'll build real shaders together step-by-step. The format is structured but interactive. You'll watch a quick demo, then build each shader yourself with guidance. By the end, you'll have created multiple shaders you can immediately use in your own projects—and understand how to make more. **What to Expect:** * Build 4–5 complete shaders from scratch * Color tints, snow accumulation, scrolling water, dissolve effects, and more * No prior shader experience required * Checkpoint files provided if you fall behind * Resources for continued learning All experience levels are welcome. Whether you've never opened Shader Graph or just want to fill gaps in your knowledge, this is a supportive space to learn by doing. **Food and drinks provided. Join us to learn, build, and level up your shader skills.**

Let's check out a Popular Astronomy and Science Based Film at COSI Science Center on their HUGE 360 Degree 4K Spherical Dome Screen Theater, in which is touring the nation and has already sold over 10,000 tickets! COSI is one of the leading Science Centers in America. Alan Watts was one of the Most Influential Amateur Astronomers of the 20th Century and held fascinating views of the Galaxy. Tickets are only $33 plus a small fee and taxes and can be purchased here: [Trust the Universe: Immersive Dome Show](https://www.sphericalpictures.com/tickets) PLEASE purchase tickets for the 8:15 PM Feature on Friday, February 13. There seem to be at least 10 tickets left, possibly more. We should be able to sit together in the same row or at least in the general section. This is an exciting chance to view actual footage of the Solar System on a Large 4k Resolution Screen plus added in Cosmological and Astronomical Related Philosophy! We will plan on meeting at about 7:50 PM by the Atomic Cafe on the first Floor of COSI, where the Movie Theater is located, in order to give us time before the show starts to purchase refreshments. Parking is available at the COSI Garage and in the area on side streets and adjacent garages. We can also walk somewhere in the area and get food afterwards, if anyone wants to do so. Thanks and hope to see you come out!

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month right after the Sunday Service for our Potluck Fellowship — a warm and welcoming time to connect, share, and celebrate community together! Bring your favorite dish to share (homemade or store-bought — all are welcome) and enjoy a delicious meal with friends old and new. It’s a wonderful opportunity to relax, laugh, and deepen your connections. Come hungry for good food, uplifting conversation, and heartfelt fellowship!

Inspired by the successful events like "Pot Luck in the Park" and "Saturday Mornings @ East Market," this meetup promises a fun and engaging atmosphere where like-minded individuals can connect over a shared love for languages and cultures. Whether you're a language learner, ESL student, or simply passionate about exploring new cultures, this event is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a diverse and welcoming community. Come join us for an enlightening afternoon of language, culture, food, of course, and connections! (Everyone will individually choose from the buffet and pay for their own meal, by weight.)