Critical Thinking

#This meetup is around a third-party organizer (Focus Filmtheater): you can either purchase your ticket online or right before the session# **Title**: The Secret Agent **Language**: Portuguese **Subtitles**: English **Length**: 158 min **Director**: Kleber Mendonça Filho **More info**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/agenda/english-subs-the-secret-agent/ **Ticket link**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/tickets/141175/ **Synopsis**: *The Secret Agent* is a tense political thriller from director Kleber Mendonça Filho (Bacurau, Aquarius), who brings a tumultuous period in Brazilian history to life in his latest work. Through various storylines, he depicts a country entangled in violence, corruption, and vendettas, a turbulent 1970s carefully constructed from his own memories, family histories, and archival material. Brazil, 1977. Marcelo, a technology expert and widower, is on the run. As the military dictatorship continues to enforce increasingly cruel measures on the population, he arrives in Recife, where he hopes to reunite with his young son. There, during carnival week, he finds shelter with a group of like-minded people and assumes a false identity. But Marcelo’s situation is trickier than he realizes: he soon discovers that the city is far from the peaceful refuge he is looking for. With a mix of film styles—suspense, humor, and even a touch of horror—*The Secret Agent* isn’t just a gripping movie, but also a snapshot of our times, in which the highly acclaimed Mendonça Filho offers a keen analysis of Brazil’s past and present. The international film community also recognises that *The Secret Agent* gets under your skin: it was the most awarded film at Cannes (Best Director, Best Actor), ended up on many ‘best of’ lists and is still in the running for several Oscar categories, partly because of the phenomenal acting of lead actor Wagner Moura. **How it works**: I will be at Focus around 18:30, where we can meet before the movie starts. You can message me to find us. Screening starts at 19:00. After the movie, we can have a drink together. Hope to see you soon!

**Welkom bij Coding Wednesday!** Samen duiken we in de creatieve wereld van programmeren. **Wat gaan we maken?** * Het legendarische spel Pong. Dit gaan we maken in de programmeertaal Python. **Heb ik voorkennis nodig?** Het is handig als je al wat programmeerervaring hebt en weet wat for-loops en if-else statements zijn. Zo niet, kijk vooral mee om iets op te steken. Of werk met iemand samen! Uiteraard kan je je voorbereiden met online tutorials zoals [deze](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uQrJ0TkZlc). **Wat heb je nodig?** * Je eigen laptop met WiFi aansluiting * Installeer een **code editor**. Novi studenten kunnen PyCharm gebruiken. Anders is [VSCode](https://code.visualstudio.com/download) een prima editor * Installeer Python op je laptop. Dit kan via hun [website](www.python.org/downloads/) **Is er een minimum aantal aanmeldingen?** Deze Coding Wednesday gaat door als er 5 aanmeldingen zijn of meer. Dus vergeet vooral niet om je aan te melden :) Mocht het niet doorgaan, laten we dit hier weten voor 17 februari 12:00 uur! Details: 📅 Wanneer: Woensdag 18 februari 2026, 14:00 uur (tot uiterlijk 17:00) 📍 Waar: Op locatie! Newtonlaan 247, Utrecht (4e etage)

Hi all! 🙂 On Wednesdays we welcome you to practice languages! If you want to practice a specific (uncommon) language, please send us a message so we can find some conversation partners for you on our mailing list! We hope to see you in Café Marktzicht! In the last year we had tables for the following languages: * Dutch * English * French * Italian * Spanish * Turkish\* * German\* * Portuguese\* * Danish\* * Norwegian\* * Russian\* * Arabic\* * Chinese\*\* * Japanese\*\* * Indonesian\*\* * * Most likely, but not every week present. \*\* - Rather rare ;-) If your language is not in this list, please let us know! We have a large database of Language Cafe visitors speaking 56 different languages! We might be able to connect you with a person that does speak the language you want to practice. In case you are not in our database yet, please use this form: http://goo.gl/forms/oSCn9Dn8m8

Hi there! Tonight we'll have fun over a nice game of pool🪄🎱. From clueless to amateur, all levels are welcome - the important thing is to enjoy and socialize in our beautiful rainbow community 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️. The Meetup will start at 21:00h and is expected to finish around 23:00h, but the duration can be extended if we wish to. ✨️ Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram: @utrecht.lgbt ✨️ Looking forward to seeing you all you soon! * 🤍🩵🩷❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤

Join our fantastic "Success Team"! This will be the sixth meeting at the gezellige Rosa Buurtcentrum (2nd floor–eerste verdieping–, right hand, last door; there is a lift). There will be tea and you are welcome (but not required) to bring snacks. –See you then! \*\*\* Help wanted & help offered. Bi-weekly meetings (every two weeks). Language English/Dutch. This idea is inspired by Barbara Sher's story and experiences. Please see her Ted Talk titled "Isolation is the dream-killer, not your attitude". The idea in short: One person at a time tells the group his/her dream or aim and the obstacles they face to achieve it. It could be a trip, an experience, a change of career, an undertaking of some kind, learning a skill, solving a particular problem or even finding out what you really want. The group works to realise the person's aim. Not just theoretically, also practically. For this we use our experience and networks. —Nothing as satisfying as helping another! Perhaps suitable, Gabor Mate's words: "You never heal alone." Please contact me at galatv@protonmail.com if you have questions or would like to help me to organise these gatherings. Thank you! Gala Painting: *Moonlight*, *Silver Lake*, *Cottonwood Canyon*, by Alfred Edward Lambourne, 1880.

Join in for a some drinks (and food, if you want) after work at **The 5th \| Utrecht**. Bring your own project and payment for drinks. As evenings tend to be a bit busier, we'll reserve a table. This means: **Only sign up if you are sure you will come!** And if there's no space left on the event, please don't join spontaneously. \-\-\-\-\- As always, we talk about our projects, exchange tipps, but also just get to know each other and enjoy a drink after a long day in good company. Whether it's knitting, crocheting, stitching, origami, or something more unique, we're looking forward to seeing you!

De kerstdiners zijn geweest, de oliebollen zijn op en het werkritme is weer gevonden. Kortom, tijd voor de eerste MeetUp van het jaar. Zoals altijd georganiseerd door deTesters, TestCoders en TechChamps, in ons kantoor in de Werkspoorkathedraal in Utrecht. En zoals je van ons gewend bent, beginnen we niet rustig. We starten met een onderwerp dat direct aan je manier van denken en werken gaat schudden. **WORKSHOP AI: Wat als code schrijven niet meer jouw werk is?** De meeste developers gebruiken AI als een fancy autocomplete. Copy-paste uit ChatGPT. Misschien Copilot in je editor. Spoiler: dat is Level 1 van 6. The Ai-Team - Jeroen Gordijn en Jeroen Dee - nemen je mee naar de top van de AI Coding Ladder. Waar je niet meer codeert, maar orkestreert. Waar AI-agents zelfstandig debuggen, testen en implementeren. Waar jij de architect bent en AI het bouwteam. Dit is geen workshop over tools. Dit is een workshop over hoe je *brein moet herprogrammeren*. Over waarom je huidige manier van werken binnenkort ouderwets is. Over agentic development met concepten als memory files, skills, en sub-agents die samenwerken. **Wat kun je verwachten?** * De AI Coding Ladder: van copy-paste amateur tot Agentic Architect * Waarom AI geen tool is, maar een transformatie van hoe je werkt * Hands-on met agentic development concepten: * Memory bestanden (AGENTS.md) die je AI context en geheugen geven * skills die gedrag voorspelbaar en herhaalbaar maken * Sub-agents die complexe taken autonoom oppakken **Waarom meedoen?** * Je wilt verder komen dan "even ChatGPT vragen" * Je wilt begrijpen hoe agentic workflows écht werken * Je bent klaar om je manier van werken fundamenteel te veranderen * Je wilt nu instappen, voordat je achterloopt * Je staat open om je brein opnieuw te programmeren **The Ai-Team** **Jeroen Gordijn** Software engineer met 20 jaar ervaring in het bouwen van schaalbare systemen. Van bol.com en DHL tot Port of Rotterdam en Ahold Delhaize. Altijd met één been in de architectuur en het andere in de code. Het laatste jaar volledig overgestapt naar AI Driven Development. Van nieuwsgierig experimenteren naar dagelijks inzetten in productie. Deelt nu wat hij geleerd heeft: hoe je AI écht laat werken. **Jeroen Dee** AI Shepherd met 20 jaar ervaring in software development. Van support engineer tot Lead Quality Engineer bij organisaties als Funda, Wehkamp, Videoland en het Ministerie van Justitie. Het laatste jaar volledig ondergedompeld in AI Driven Development en een transitie gemaakt van scepticus naar evangelist. Deelt nu de lessen uit de praktijk: wat werkt, wat niet, en hoe je je brein herprogrammeert. In de periode 2019 tot 2020 werkte hij voor deTesters en is hij sindsdien nooit echt weggeweest. Nog steeds een "vriend-van-de-show". **Doelgroep** * QA Engineers en developers die willen begrijpen waar AI Driven Development naartoe gaat en hoe ze daar nu al kunnen komen. * deze avond is volledig in het Nederlands **\*Dutch spoken\*** **Pre-conditie voor deelname** Deze workshop werkt alleen als iedereen zelf actief met AI aan de slag kan. Daarom is een **eigen abonnement op een van de genoemde AI modellen verplicht. Wij faciliteren geen accounts, abonnementen of tijdelijke toegang.** Zorg dat je vooraf bent ingelogd en dat alles werkt. Om goed voorbereid mee te kunnen doen, vragen we je rekening te houden met het volgende: * Een technische achtergrond is een must * Je hebt een terminal waar je bekend mee bent * Je beschikt over een **eigen abonnement** op een van de foundational modellen, zoals OpenAI Plus, Anthropic Claude Pro Max, GitHub Copilot of Google Gemini * Je gebruikt OpenCode als agentic AI tool https://opencode.ai en bent daar ingelogd met een van bovenstaande model aanbieders * Je bedenkt vooraf iets dat je voor jezelf wilt maken en houdt de scope bewust beperkt * Je bent nieuwsgierig en bereid om je manier van werken kritisch te bekijken **Programma** 17:30 Ontvangst en eten 18:30 De workshop: Agentic Development in actie (mix: presentatie en praktisch) 20:30 Q&A 21:00 Afsluiting met een borrel

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS] Travel / Parking info: [PLEASE INCLUDE DETAILS]

# **A new chapter is opening ... literally.** Dutch Testing is gathering momentum again, and the MoT Netherlands Chapter is ready for its next meetup‑turned‑Chapter moment. As the Ministry of Testing shifts from Meetup to the MoTaverse, we’re embracing the new format with the same spirit: community first, quality always. For our second Chapter event, we’re going back to the essentials: the craft, the conversations, the curiosity. Because strong foundations aren’t old‑school; they’re what make everything else possible. Join in, connect, share, learn and help shape the future of Dutch testing as we step fully into the Chapter era. **PROGRAM:** **17:00 – Arrival & Dinner** *Join us for a warm welcome and a bite to eat as we kick off the evening.* **18:15 – Opening Remarks** *Let's get this party started.* ***18:20 – Talk 1: Linda van de Vooren*** *Dashboard or Management P\*rn?* ***18:50 – Talk 2: Remco Ridder*** *Performance Testing as a Pipeline Essential* ***19:20 – Break*** *Grab a drink, stretch your legs, or catch a breath before the next speakers.* ***19:40 – Talk 3: Tom Broekmans*** *A Quest for Code Quality* *– A Short Star Wars Story* ***20:10 – Talk 4: Martijn Goossens*** *Maximum Quality with Minimum Manual Testers* **20:40** **– Closing & Lightning Talks** *A chance for attendees to share quick insights, pitches, or questions with the group.* **Followed by – Networking Drinks** *Unwind, connect, and continue the conversation over drinks. No fixed end time* – *stay as long as the energy lasts or the alarm system warns us to leave.*

**Join us for Winter Drinks for Expats & Locals!** Shake off the winter blues with warm vibes and even warmer company! ❄️ We’re excited to invite you to Winter Drinks on **Friday 20 February**, **from 20:00 at** **Bloemerbar** **in** **Nijmegen**. This evening is all about meaningful connections, laughter, and cozy conversations in a relaxed and friendly setting. **What to Expect** * A warm and welcoming atmosphere to brighten up the winter season. * Conversations with a diverse group of attendees from all over the world. * A laid-back evening of cultural exchange and new opportunities. **Who Should Join** * **Expats** eager to meet new people and expand their network. * **Locals** looking to connect with an international crowd and share their culture. * **Anyone** ready to enjoy a fun, informal evening with great company. Don’t miss this chance to beat the winter chill with our vibrant community. **RSVP now** and join us for an unforgettable evening at Bloemerbar!

We’re heading into the heart of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug for a beautiful loop hike starting and ending at station Driebergen Zeist. From the station we quickly enter the wide open heather fields of Groote Heidestein, with heather fields, sandy paths, and a wonderfull spacious feeling. We follow these open landscapes all the way to the forests surrounding the Pyramid of Austerlitz. After about 10 kilometers we take a well deserved break at the pyramid. You can grab a snack or drink there, or enjoy your own packed lunch. This is the area where the famous wolf Bram once roamed and made the news. The situation has since settled, so the coast is clear again, but it adds a touch of wild history to the landscape. From here we loop back towards Driebergen Zeist through landgoed Heidestein. This section is full of surprises, including narrow passages and small tunnels that make the walk feel playful and slightly adventurous. We finish back at station Driebergen Zeist, completing a varied and scenic hike through one of the most beautiful parts of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. **📍When and where to meet?** We’ll meet at 10h30 under the tracks of train station Driebergen Zeist. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JdRccArNqxzvFb6U8 ⏰ 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?** You can park here but please also do your own research: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WSMa4XaaP7U5awwf8 **⏸️ Planned Breaks** After 10 km: Lunch break at Pyramid of Austerlitz (Speeltuin & Restaurant) https://maps.app.goo.gl/XKazfvaa24VvWrq66 **💸 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. The event is full, so the payment link has been removed. **👟 Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 13 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. * 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.

Join us for a beautiful hike on the Amerongse Berg * We **start at 12:00:** P+R Veenendaal West Dichterslaan, 3906 EN Veenendaal https://maps.app.goo.gl/VVjPTE2c6HsmLqQi6 * 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 Train:** * To train station: Veenendaal West https://maps.app.goo.gl/H7LyWsb8KRdenzWT6 **Getting there by Car:** * Free car parking at P+R Veenendaal West Dichterslaan, 3906 EN Veenendaal https://maps.app.goo.gl/VVjPTE2c6HsmLqQi6 **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=vezo1ouZS0yORJXINF58jA * 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.

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!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

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

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience. And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree. In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again. Examples of painful experiences include: * A broken relationship or divorce. * Death or loss of a loved one. * Death of a pet. * A sudden shock or bad news. * A betrayal. * Being part of an abusive relationship. * A bad injustice. * Loss of a job, position or business. * A grave illness or injury. The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

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!