Complexity

### The Body: Power, Shame, and Freedom The body is one of the most personal and universal aspects of human existence. It is how we experience the world, express identity, form relationships, and navigate society. Yet the body is never purely biological. Across history and cultures, bodies have been shaped by social norms, political systems, religious beliefs, economic structures, and ideas about morality, beauty, gender, and control. The human body is deeply connected to power. Societies regulate bodies through laws, institutions, medicine, fashion, labor, media, and cultural expectations. Certain bodies are privileged, protected, and celebrated, while others are marginalized, disciplined, or excluded. Standards surrounding beauty, health, sexuality, gender, and physical ability influence how people are perceived—and how they perceive themselves. At the same time, the body is closely tied to shame. Shame can emerge from social judgment, religious expectations, family dynamics, cultural ideals, or comparison with others. People may experience shame related to appearance, aging, sexuality, vulnerability, illness, disability, race, gender expression, or bodily imperfection. In this sense, shame is not only personal but also social and political, shaped by broader structures of power and belonging. Yet the body is also a site of freedom, resistance, and self-expression. Throughout history, individuals and movements have challenged norms surrounding bodies, identity, sexuality, dress, and physical autonomy. The struggle for bodily freedom includes questions of consent, self-determination, health, gender equality, reproductive rights, disability rights, and freedom from violence and discrimination. In contemporary society, the body is increasingly shaped by technology, digital culture, and consumer capitalism. Social media intensifies visibility, comparison, and self-presentation, while medical and technological developments transform how bodies are modified, monitored, and understood. New possibilities for self-expression coexist with new pressures surrounding perfection, productivity, and control. Looking ahead, emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and virtual reality—may fundamentally reshape how humans experience embodiment, identity, and physical existence. This raises important questions: What does bodily freedom truly mean? How much control should individuals or societies have over bodies? And how can dignity and autonomy be preserved in a world of increasing surveillance, optimization, and technological intervention? This discussion invites a critical exploration of the body as a biological, psychological, social, and political reality—one deeply connected to identity, power, vulnerability, and human freedom. *** 📅 Event Details 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026 ⏰ Time: 14:30 📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 WhatsApp: For prep materials and directions (Group Chat) [Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)

**Crossfire Comedy:** Three comedians from the USA, Iran, and Israel take the stage to show that even when tensions run high, people can still be kind — and laughter is essential. We won’t shy away from what’s happening today, but we’re also just three comedians who *love comedy* and want to laugh! Join us for a truly relevant international evening of comedy that proves humor can bring us together even when the world feels divided. Venue: Z-Bar, Berlin Mitte. Bergstrasse 2. [BOOK HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crossfire-comedy-3-comedians-from-iran-isreal-usa-tickets-1985921749412?aff=oddtdtcreator) you need to book on Eventbrite, not just RSVP here. Book Now! Doors 10pm. Show at 10:30pm. Tickets: Buy Online for a Discount Price (11) Without A Booking (15) or Buy Last Minute **Ori Halevy** is a well known Israeli and international TV and Cinema writer and standup comedian (HBO,FOX,GAUMONT, etc). His funny “go for broke” improvisational style along with his tried and tested material has him performing every night in different venues around the world. He is based in Berlin where he runs the successful “Epic Comedy Berlin” comedy brand, and has been described by the Iconic Scotsman newspaper as being:“Unlike any comic I have seen, and I want to see more”. Catch him for cheap now before he becomes famous or dies! **Kourosh Mohebian** is a established comedian across Europe’s major stand-up scenes. He has performed at big festivals and well-known comedy clubs all over Europe, sharing stages with international acts like Ahmed Ahmed, Max Amini, Neemanaz and more... Known for blending sharp cultural insights with playful absurdity, Kourosh often challenges expectations of what a “Middle Eastern” comedian should be. Audiences describe his style as both smart and silly. First persian comic in berlin. instagram: @kouroshkj **Tera Kilbride** is an international stand up comedian, host and producer, originally from the United States. She’s performed in over 16 countries and was a featured performer on the Television Show Standup Revolution Romania and at The Boom Chicago Comedy Festival. A dynamo of energetic delivery, bold content and fearlessly engaging with the audience, her shows are known for their excellent vibes! Topics include: Joking about your dark personal edges, travel and international life, aging and glowing up, relationships and healing. She loves to laugh about the things we normally cry about! Check her out[ https://terakilbride.com](https://terakilbride.com/ "https://terakilbride.com/") Follow on Instagram[ https://www.instagram.com/teracomedy_/](https://www.instagram.com/teracomedy_/ "https://www.instagram.com/teracomedy_/")

Tired of dating apps or surface-level social events? This is different. Relational Labs is a guided connection experience for singles who want more honest, playful, emotionally intelligent interaction — without performance, pressure, or endless small talk. This is not speed dating. Not networking. Not “pitch yourself to strangers.” It’s a facilitated relational container rooted in psychology, emotional intelligence, attachment work, social dynamics, nervous system awareness, and real-world human connection — made practical enough that you can actually live it instead of reading another 50 books about it. ## What happens • A 2-hour guided online relational experience • Real-time connection exercises designed to create authentic interaction • A format that adapts in real time to whoever is present • Optional participant-led in-person continuation afterward • WhatsApp connection thread after the session ## This may be for you if: • You’re tired of shallow or repetitive social spaces • You want deeper connection without forced intimacy • You enjoy personal growth, psychology, communication, or relational work • You’re open to meeting people in a more intentional way ## Important This experience runs with whoever is present and takes its own shape each time. Sometimes expansive. Sometimes intimate. Both are the real thing. Booking happens through our website. 👉 Reserve your spot: [https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/join](https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/join) Optional in-person continuation: same day or within 48 hours depending on the city Most people come alone. People often leave surprised by how quickly strangers can feel human, warm, honest, and real. Sometimes awkwardness turns into ease. Sometimes curiosity turns into chemistry. Sometimes people simply remember what it feels like to actually connect again.

**Berlin’s Only Comedy Show That Fixes Your Problems (Kind Of)!** Stand-up comedy meets hilarious, unqualified life advice! Comedians tackle your anonymously submitted problems live on stage—roasting, dissecting, and turning them into comedy gold. **Where?** The hidden Mitte gem —**Art.City.People** in **Heckmann-Höfe!** **When?** Doors: **8:00 PM** \| Show: **8:30 PM** Come for the stand-up, stay for the therapy—just bring your problems (or a friend with worse ones). Every show is a fresh mix of **four experienced comedians and new audience problems**—so you never know what to expect! Hosted by **Lena Stolby** — she’s Russian, so she *really* knows about problems! **&** We are a free entry pay-what-you-want show, and **have been running solely thanks to the support of the audience**, so to help us keep making this world a drama free place we **suggest a contribution of €12-15!** **Seats are limited, so book now!** The room gets very busy, so, to make sure you get a seat please book a seat via Eventbrite here (it’s free): https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/comedy-therapy-events-1626059

This week we are discussing **Malina by Ingeborg Bachmann** We look forward to seeing you! Please remember to cancel your participation in good time if you are not coming. This will give someone else enough time to read the book and come to the meeting. Just a heads up: **The cafe only accepts card payments for amounts over €10**, so you may want to bring some cash for smaller orders. If you have book suggestions, would like to vote on our next reads, or join us for additional activities, please ask someone at the meeting to add you to our WhatsApp group.

***Relax, you're in good hands.*** ***Pro comedians, cosy ambience, sophisticated drinks*** Saturdays in Schöneberg at Mein Freund Harvey, professional comedians bring their best material for longer sets of Top Shelf Comedy Doors 7pm - Arrive early to enjoy top-notch spirits, cocktails & wine before the show (no beer, so treat yourself to something special) **Show starts 8pm** Break 9-9:15pm Show ends 10pm Limited capacity of 22 seats so **please prepurchase your tickets** Tickets 17€+ booking fee here: **https://www.annaberos.com/berlin** or via **https://topshelfcomedymay2025.eventbrite.de** Remaining seats may be available at the door 18€ cash or card **produced by and often featuring ANNA BEROS** (AUS) Anna’s a Kiwi born, Melbourne raised, Berlin based full-time independent standup comedian, YouTube host, podcaster and producer. She celebrates life’s struggles with incisive standup and playful audience interaction. Her new standup solo, High Hoe enjoyed a successful full run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 and her previous solos, Creampie Curious and Creampie Clarity played at numerous comedy festivals through the UK and Australia in 2023 and 2024. She tours Europe and produces and hosts 5 weekly shows in Berlin. In 2025, she opened for Jeff Arcuri at Admiralspalast, in 2024 for April Macie on US army bases in Germany and for Ian Fidance in Berlin in 2019. She hosts the comedy channel, Ersties Nonsense, has the podcast Adults ONLY Comedy Berlin and has written for Comedy Central DE. "Beros is a full-time standup and her hours on stage are evident in her skill at taking the temperature of the audience and bringing them along with her as she veers into darker material." – The Age, Melbourne Australia **[https://www.instagram.com/afberos/](https://www.instagram.com/afberos/)** **GUEST COMEDIANS** see full lineup at **https://www.annaberos.com/berlin** or on instagram stories @adultsonlycomedyberlin **https://www.instagram.com/adultsonlycomedyberlin/** **Venue: MEIN FREUND HARVEY** S/U-Yorckstraße, U-Kleistpark, U-Bülowstraße Your new favourite bar in Schöneberg. Cosy, friendly and sophisticated with a huge range of spirits and cocktails, with seasonal bar snacks. Arrive early to enjoy something special. Non-smoking inside. Seating out front for smoking. Card payment only

Meet, Match, MoveOn and Manage or Master Why Meet 1)Meet new People Culture Languages. 2)Not Match Romance, Political Views nor Religion, only Respect and Joy 3) Moveon, advance with your level, goals, and especially share and try Rotate the groups and let others participate a bit. 4) Master the challenges, and Manage to give a Like or appreciate the meetups!! **Thematic** or small Concept: Manage to Bring 2 German Friends and you get a Drink. if you bring your Ex Partner + 2 German friends =2 drinks = thats the Challenge and the Attitude of 2026

Das Thema Angst ist nicht nur ein Thema der Psychologie. Angst kann man auch soziologisch und philosophisch untersuchen. Das soll beim nächsten Treffen geschehen.

**!! IMPORTANT: please register at [eastwestcomedy.com](eastwestcomedy.com) to guarantee seating! Shows are getting super busy !!** Perfect comedy show for a lazy Sunday evening! Only experienced international comedians, professional venue and tasty, affordable drinks. **Line-up: SEE WEBSITE** **!! Welcome to Berlin's most attended Sunday night comedy show! For the 2025-26 season we have installed 15 extra seats to extend capacity, but still PLEASE book online and don't take chances - it's SOLD OUT almost every week ;) !!*Our full schedule & info at: [eastwestcomedy.com](https://eastwestcomedy.com/ "https://eastwestcomedy.com/"); subscribe to [instagram.com/eastwest_comedy](https://instagram.com/eastwest_comedy "https://instagram.com/eastwest_comedy") for updates!*** There are millions of ways to have a great time on a Sunday evening in Neukölln, but one beats them all! Come watch top class English stand-up by 6 experienced comedians from Europe, UK, USA, Asia, South America and more, in Berlin's cult theater-style venue with a bar. Artisan cocktails, great local beers and many other drinks will make your Sunday evening even warmer. Come one, come all! Google rating (220+ reviews): 5.0 / 5.0 ★★★★★ “Laughed a lot, will come again for sure” Oliver, UK ★★★★★ “A cozy place with high quality live comedy!” Joanna, Hong Kong ★★★★★ “Great comedy show, talented comics and very nice atmosphere” Mariia, Ukraine ★★★★★ “Comedians were good, beer was good, ambiance was super nice!” Gaelle, Lebanon ★★★★★ “The humour hit us right on the spot!” Eve, China ★★★★★ “Perfect evening of laughter” Igor, Croatia ★★★★★ “Cozy stand-up venue with hilarious international artists and audience!” Elvira, Russia ★★★★★ “Great new shows at one of Berlin’s coolest venues!” James, USA Show will consist of 2 halves with an interval. Doors: 7:30 PM Show: 8:00 PM Entry: Pay What You Want\* (seat reservation required): you reserve your seat for free, and Pay What You Want at the end of the show, depending on how much you think the show is worth (recommended fee: €10-15). Reservations expire 10 minutes before the start of the show. \*It is not within our principles to promote a show as "Free Entry" and ask for a "not-so-voluntary" donation at the end. This show is paid - we just let you decide the price ;)

Welcome to Sunday Tech Coffee. This is a **networking** event for those in the tech industry in Berlin. We are usually inside and to the right. Ask the barista/bartender if you can't find us.

Join this Professional Communication session — to sharpen the skills for architectural pitches, elevator pitches, interviews. This time we meet in the Monbijou park. 💡 How it works The event is split into two parts: 1. **Communication (10 minute rounds)** – One participant answers a round of design and behavioral questions. Each other participant gets to ask him one question. 2. **Feedback Round** – The group provides feedback on communication, structure, and clarity. Constructive criticism is encouraged. 💡You will be asked: * **Light design problems** (high-level reasoning, not code) * **Behavioral questions** (“Tell me about yourself”, “Describe a challenge you faced...”) No need to prepare anything in advance — just bring curiosity and an open mind. 💡Note: location is the entrance to Monbijou park

Chitta Walks is for people whose days move fast, while the mind never fully lands. Thoughts keep looping even when nothing is urgent. The body moves, but attention is elsewhere. Over time, this disconnect drains clarity and ease. This walk is a simple reset. We meet in Berlin’s Tiergarten and walk at a gentle pace. Parts of the walk are in silence, with light guidance and a few short prompts. The walk itself is the practice, bringing body and mind back into the same moment. No apps. No performance. Just a clear space to slow down and notice what is happening. If you want to slow down without withdrawing from life, join a Chitta Walk. ✨ **What to expect (approx. 90 minutes):** * A short arrival and orientation * A guided silent walk (phones off, no conversation) * One concise science-based impulse on attention or stress * Optional reflection in pairs or small groups * A simple takeaway or experiment for daily life 🚶**Who this is for:** * Professionals, creatives, and people in transition. * People who feel mentally busy and want more clarity and balance. * Those curious about mindfulness, but grounded and practical. * Anyone comfortable with silence and gentle self observation. 🔔 **Practical notes:** * Duration: 60-90 minutes * Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing * No prior experience needed * Group size is limited to keep the space quiet and focused 🧭 **Facilitator:** My name is Partha Sarathi, you can call me PS. I have lived in Berlin for over 12 years. With a background in physics and materials science, my interest in mindfulness grew through personal experience with stress and health challenges. I facilitate the space and structure of the walk, inviting shared exploration rather than instruction. 🤔 **Why Chitta Walks?** Chitta is a Sanskrit word referring to the mind or field of awareness, used here in a practical, non-religious sense. Chitta Walks is about noticing how the mind works by slowing down and walking together. Mindful walking makes thought patterns visible in real time, while moving and sensing in the world. The name points to a simple capacity: noticing what is happening in the mind without immediately trying to fix, judge, or optimize it. 🌿 **Possible effects:** A calmer nervous system. Clearer attention. A felt sense of being more present in your body. Subtle insights into how your mind reacts under everyday conditions. A quieter, more grounded way of moving through the city. **Come as you are. Walk. Notice. Leave with a little more space inside.**

RSVP on Luma: [https://luma.com/y7jwd3nm?utm_source=Meetup](https://luma.com/y7jwd3nm?utm_source=Meetup) Silent Reading / Creating Club is a gathering for people who enjoy focusing together in public. Bring a book, a notebook, a sketchpad, knitting needles, whatever you’d like to spend a quiet hour doing. All projects and all participants are welcome. We’re building a community of readers and creators who value depth, presence, and shared silence. The reading and creating isn't the real highlight, though, it’s in the people who return and make it feel like a familiar room. (Please RSVP “yes” only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and others on the waitlist.) Our Meeting Point is the **W66 Café**. There’s no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the café and don’t bring outside food or drinks 🙂 No assignments, expectations, or pressure. Just a shared hour of intentional silence, followed by the opportunity for good conversation. 🕰 Our Agenda **10:30 – 11:00** Arrivals, ordering drinks/food, light social time **11:00 – 12:00** The Great Quiet Hour (Read. Write. Sketch. Code. Think. Sit.) **12:00 – 12:30** Optional socializing: share what you were reading or creating, or simply continue in quiet focus. ## 🏡 House Guidelines To keep this space calm and welcoming for everyone: • Silence during the focus hour (no calls or conversations) • Put cellphones on silent mode • If using technology, please avoid meetings or audio (headphones please!) • Arrive before 11:00 if possible to minimize disruptions

Registration available also on Luma : https://luma.com/jjg884su (Only sign up once please) Silent Book Club is a group of book lovers who enjoy reading together in public. All books and all readers are welcome. (Kindly RSVP 'yes' only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and our fellow readers on the waitlist!) This page-turning party will unfold in the Café (1st floor) at the Bode Museum. There's no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the cafe and don't bring any outside drinks :) No quizzes, no pressure, no assigned books - just a group of book-loving souls basking in the beauty of silent reading. **Our thrilling agenda:** 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Arrivals, ordering drinks/food (social time) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - The Great Quiet Reading Hour (where silence is the star) 12:00 pm - 13:00 pm - Optional socializing, share your reading adventures or just keep exploring the pages Stay for lunch, and who knows? You might just find your next favorite book over a pizza. NB: If you plan to go for lunch, please consider bringing cash, as some restaurants only accept card payments after a certain amount.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD

We connect you with up to 30 Men or Women tennis partners close to your PLAYING REGION and skill level. This program is less competitive, no champions crowned, no league standings just dedicated tennis partners who want to meet up with you on the courts. Players will meet up to play a tennis match or just to hit around. Just go through the [Join Page](https://www.tenniscolumbus.com/partner-program) to enter this program. [https://www.tenniscolumbus.com/partner-program](https://www.tenniscolumbus.com/partner-program)

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **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

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.

How to be a Better Communicator Communication is everything in life You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month John Lairson will share a notebook describing the Alpaca (Paper) Trading API and discuss different algorithms for evaluating stock trades. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com