Culture Hacking
Meet other local people interested in Culture Hacking: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Culture Hacking group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out culture hacking events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the culture hacking events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find culture hacking events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Culture Hacking Events Today
Join in-person Culture Hacking events happening right now
Drunk Vibe Coding
Kick Off the Year with a New Skill. 🥳
Join us for a relaxed and social evening where we explore the basics of vibe coding in a chill, casual bar setting. Expect good vibes, good music, and awesome drinks. This event is for everyone, **especially absolute beginners** and anyone curious about tech. No prior experience is needed. Just bring a laptop or tablet and an open mind.
**Who Is This For?**
* Complete beginners and the coding-curious
* Anyone wanting to try something new in a relaxed group setting
* Students, creatives, hobbyists, and professionals
* Anyone who ever had a cool app idea but didn’t know how to pull it off
* People who enjoy social learning with a drink in hand
**What to Bring:**
* A laptop or tablet (as this is a hands-on event)
* A curious mind
* Good vibes
**Schedule (19:00–21:00 + Open Session)**
* **19:00 – Welcome & Drinks**
* **19:10 – Introduction**
* **19:20 – Kickoff**
* **20:10 – Break & Social Time**
* **20:50 – Lightning Presentations**
* **21:00 – Wrap-Up & Open Session**
Stay for drinks, conversations, and freestyle exploration for as long as you like.
**Where:**
In the bar area of the Social Hub Berlin - Alexanderstraße 40, 10179 Berlin
**Price:**
It's for free. But please order at least one drink, to support the awesome location. **🙏**
berlinCreators eLAB-Werkstattabend
Wir bieten allen Interessierten die Möglichkeit, mit Elektronik zu basteln. Workshops und Vorträge zu verschiedenen Themen rund um Elektronik und Software sind willkommen. Von Arduino bis zu komplett selbst entwickelten High-End Schaltungen sind wir für alle kreativen Ideen offen.
Wir haben auch Gruppen rund um das Nähen, Programmieren, Retro Computer.
Wir treffen uns immer am Dienstag und am Freitag ab 18:00 Uhr. Egal ob Anfänger oder Profi – hier seid Ihr jederzeit Willkommen. Ihr könnt mit anderen fachsimpeln oder auch mit unserer Hilfe Eure ersten elektronischen Gehversuche starten.
Wenn zeitgleich in den vorderen Räumen Workshops oder Vorträge stattfinden, kann hinten Werkstattbetrieb stattfinden.
Offener Deutschunterricht - Text & Konversation - Niveau B2+ (Fortgeschritten)
In diesem Kurs beschäftigen wir uns mit verschiedenen Texten aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen. Das können u.a. kurze Geschichten, Gedichte, Zeitungsartikel, Kolumnen oder Videos sein. Immer sind es Themen, die uns gefallen, die wir besonders interessant, wichtig oder manchmal auch richtig schlecht finden. Gemeinsam versuchen wir die Position der Autor*in, den Stil und die Argumentationsstruktur zu verstehen. Dazu diskutieren wir über das, was wir verstehen, welche Meinung wir zu dem Thema haben oder welche Fragen offen bleiben.
Gerne könnt ihr uns auch Themenvorschläge mitbringen oder zuschicken.
Der Kurs richtet sich an interessierte Menschen mit einem B2-Niveau (oder so ähnlich), die Lust haben sich weiter mit der deutschen Sprache zu beschäftigen und ihren Wortschatz zu erweitern.
Die Termine sind sporadisch.
Back Door Comedy: Late Mic Standup in English Tuesdays Xberg
Like your standup tight and intimate? Sneak into the back room of Mysliwska on Schlesi for a tight hour of standup by Anna Beros and friends, with local and internationally touring comedians, in English, inclusive and adult.
Doors: 21:00
**Show: 21:30**
End: 22:30
**Limited capacity of 25 so reserve your tickets here: https://www.annaberos.com/berlin**
**or via eventbrite: https://backdoorcomedymay2025.eventbrite.de**
Remaining seats may be for sale at the door with cash or card
**Performance space is non-smoking**
Main bar is smoking
Bar closes super late so stick around after the show
**Produced and usually hosted by 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.
Check out what Anna's been up to: **[https://www.instagram.com/afberos/](https://www.instagram.com/afberos/)**
**Venue: Mysliwska**, Schlesische Straße 35 10997 (U1, U3)
One of Kreuzberg's oldest bars. Buzz in if you can't open the door. Good vibes, locals and visitors.
**Guest comedians** lineup on ig stories @adultsonlycomedyberlin **https://www.instagram.com/adultsonlycomedyberlin/**
\>\> comedians DM to be considered for a spot \- limited spots for experienced comedians
Neurodivergent Creative Tuesdays
* **NEW IG ACCOUNT: [@neurocrafting.berlin](https://www.instagram.com/neurocrafting.berlin?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ\*:・゚✧**
Calling all neurodivergent individuals! Are you tired of starting hobbies that you never seem to finish? Join us for an evening of guilt-free creativity where there is absolutely no pressure to complete anything.
This event is designed to be a safe space where you can freely express your creativity without fear of judgment or criticism.
We will have a variety of crafting supplies available including paint, yarn, crochet needles, beads, coloring books, origami paper, markers... However, feel free to bring your own supplies or current projects if you'd like to work on something specific.
**There is a donation of a minimum of 4-5 euros to cover the materials and space.** In case you wish to pay via paypal: neurocrafting.berlin@gmail.com
The Original Free Walking Tour Berlin (Morning)
***Note:*** *We regularly receive bookings for the **Free Walking Tour Berlin** from many different platforms, which means you’ll be joining a diverse group of travelers from all over the world. Expect a lively atmosphere, lots of people, and an amazing opportunity to meet new friends while exploring Berlin together.*
\# Free Walking Tour Berlin – Discover the City’s History & Culture
Explore Berlin like never before with our **Free Walking Tour Berlin**, the most authentic and engaging way to experience Germany’s capital. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to discover more, this guided walking tour is designed to help you uncover the stories, landmarks, and hidden corners that make Berlin one of the most fascinating cities in Europe.
\#\# What to Expect
On this free walking tour, our professional and passionate guides will take you through Berlin’s most iconic sites while sharing powerful stories about the city’s history, culture, and modern life. Highlights often include:
* **Brandenburg Gate** – Berlin’s most famous landmark and symbol of unity.
* **Reichstag Building** – Discover the story behind Germany’s parliament.
* **Holocaust Memorial** – A moving tribute and space for reflection.
* **Berlin Wall & Checkpoint Charlie** – Step into the Cold War era.
* **Museum Island & Unter den Linden** – A cultural heart of the city.
* Hidden gems, local insights, and surprising stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
\#\# Why Join Our Free Walking Tour in Berlin?
* **Pay-what-you-want model** – Everyone is welcome, and you decide the value.
* **Expert local guides** – Friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about Berlin.
* **Meet fellow travelers** – A social and fun way to explore the city.
* **Daily departures** – Rain or shine, we walk every day.
*
\#\# Who Is This Tour For?
The Free Walking Tour Berlin is perfect for backpackers, solo travelers, groups, and families who want to get an overview of the city before diving deeper. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or just a fun day out, this tour offers something for everyone.
\#\# How It Works
The tour is **free to join** – no upfront cost. At the end, you are welcome to leave a tip that reflects what the experience was worth to you. Simply book your spot online to secure your place, as tours often fill up quickly.
\#\# Join Us Today
See Berlin through the eyes of a local and experience its history come to life. Book your spot now and get ready to walk, learn, and connect on the **Original Free Walking Tour Berlin**.
Alternative Berlin Pub Crawl
Berlin Rebels Alternative Pub Crawl: Dive Bars, Back Alley Beats & Insider Stories. Experience Berlin’s underground nightlife like a true rebel.
Experience Berlin’s underground nightlife like a true rebel. This alternative pub crawl takes you beyond the typical tourist circuit and into the beating heart of the city’s subcultures — punk, goth, squatters, techno heads, and creative misfits. In intimate groups, we explore lesser-known venues across Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and more.
Leave behind the commercial party strip and join the alternative crawl. On this 5-hour nighttime adventure, you’ll discover Berlin’s rebellious spirit through its grungiest, weirdest, and most unforgettable nightlife spots.
Our route changes nightly but could include:
• Ping pong matches with locals in hidden bars
• A secret rock or metal bar with horror-movie décor
• Absinthe lounges, beach bars, techno bunkers, or surreal basements
• Squatter spaces turned legal venues and hidden alley speakeasies
Your guide — a true Berlin nightlife insider — will take you to places most tourists never hear about. You’ll also uncover the stories behind these venues: how post-wall Berlin became a global nightlife capital, how music scenes shaped entire neighborhoods, and how many of these bars still operate just under the radar.
Whether you’re into indie rock, dark-wave, hip hop, punk, or Berlin-style techno, this crawl adapts to the vibe of the night. Nothing cookie-cutter. No two nights are the same.
Please bring valid ID and a public transport ticket (Zone AB).
Culture Hacking Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
[20-30's] 🌍 Culture Exchange in Berlin 🪽
Hey there! 👋 Are you passionate about exploring different cultures and connecting with people from all over the world? 🌎✈️ Join our vibrant international community where curious minds come together for some amazing cultural exchange!
Our meetups are perfect for anyone who wants to dive into diverse perspectives, have authentic conversations, and build genuine friendships with people from around the globe. 🌍🤝 Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons, practice a new language naturally, or just love meeting people from different walks of life, you'll find like-minded individuals ready to share and learn together.
Get ready for interactive sessions where cultural discovery takes center stage! 🎭 Connect with fellow cultural explorers in a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity, fosters understanding, and creates authentic connections. 🎉
We host events across multiple platforms with 30-50 regular participants, and during our peak meetups, we often grow to 60+ people! 🙌 Come join the fun!
👉 **Guidelines for an enriching experience:**
* 🍺🥤 Please order a drink upon arrival to support the venue (Required)
* 🧹 Show respect for venue staff and maintain cleanliness
* 🤝 Embrace courtesy and mutual respect
* 🌍 Our focus is on meaningful cultural exchange and understanding - we're here to learn from each other's perspectives and experiences
Please note: Venue staff and organizers reserve the right to exclude participants who don't follow these guidelines. We're committed to maintaining a positive environment where everyone can enjoy meaningful connections and cultural exchange opportunities.
🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹
It’s not mandatory, but we are kindly asking for a warm donation of 1€ or more to help cover the cost of posting on meetup.com.
If you enjoy the event atmosphere, we’d really appreciate your support🤗
[https://www.paypal.me/harinezumi928](https://www.paypal.me/harinezumi928)
If there's a fee for the transfer, you're also welcome to give the donation in cash directly to the organizer on the day:)
Creative Code Jam [NEW LOCATION @ MotionLab.Berlin]
**⭐ NOTE THE NEW LOCATION! ⭐**
The Creative Code Jam is a monthly gathering of artists, makers, designers, illustrators, coders, musicians, performers, learners and anyone interested in the use of computing skills for artistic expression. The event is free and open to all, regardless of age, origin, gender or experience. The jam is an opportunity to meet likeminded people and get creative together in a relaxed and safe environment. Beginners and first-timers should feel especially welcome!
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
**Bring a laptop** and/or anything you’d like to work on, whether it’s a personal project, an experiment, or a skill you want to learn. You can come with friends or meet new people here. There’s no set agenda: some people code, some sketch ideas, some collaborate, and others just chat and get inspired.
SCHEDULE
Doors open at noon, then we’ll have quick introductions so everyone can share what they’re planning to work on. Note: arriving on time is the best way to hear what others are up to ;) Around 6 pm, we gather to share what we’ve worked on during the day.
BEGINNERS WELCOME!
If you’re new to creative coding, we'll be happy to help you get started, and you can find beginner-friendly resources at [creativecode.berlin/learn](http://creativecode.berlin/learn).
THIS IS YOUR SPACE
We do our best to create a welcoming environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. People from group generally underrepresented in open-source, art, and technology fields are warmly encouraged to come by. And if you know someone who might enjoy this meetup but isn’t sure it’s for them, let them know they’ll be welcome!
SAFE SPACE POLICY
We support the Berlin Code of Conduct:
https://berlincodeofconduct.org/
Please make sure you agree with its content.
ABOUT MotionLab.Berlin
MotionLab.Berlin is Germany’s premier Innovation Hub & Makerspace – an ecosystem for Hardtech, art, creativity, and entrepreneurship. They are an international community with access to state-of-the-art machinery, prototyping machines, coworking spaces, offices, and production facilities. More info: https://motionlab.berlin/
ACCESSIBILITY
MotionLab is located on the ground floor, with bathrooms on that same level, although unfortunately they are too small for wheelchairs.
FOOD
MotionLab has drinks and snacks for sale. Bio food can be found on LPG at Bouchéstr (\~200m). Their cantine has vegan, vegetarian and other food options at least until 2pm.
DO I NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN?
We speak mostly English so international guests are more than welcome! Our team also speaks French, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish and German... though language availability may vary depending on which organizers are present :)
CONTACT
Raphaël de Courville
team@creativecode.berlin
+49 176 700 70572
or get in touch via [creativecode.berlin](https://creativecode.berlin/)
Interkulturelles Sprachcafé
Hier ist jeder willkommen, der die deutsche Sprache üben möchte (egal, ob Anfänger oder fortgeschritten)! Wir treffen uns jeden Donnerstag in Kreuzkölln - es gibt Snacks, Getränke, nette Leute und jede Woche ein neues Thema, zu dem wir uns austauschen.
Everyone is welcome here, who wants to practice the German language (whether a beginner or advanced)! We meet every Thursday in Kreuzkölln - there are snacks, drinks, friendly people, and a new topic every week for us to discuss.
الجميع مرحب به هنا، من يرغب في ممارسة اللغة الألمانية (سواء كان مبتدئًا أو متقدمًا)! نجتمع كل يوم الخميس في كروتسكولن - هناك وجبات خفيفة، مشروبات، أشخاص لطفاء، وموضوع جديد كل أسبوع لنتبادل النقاش حوله.
Friday Jam @ Phynix
**PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK THEIR REPECTIVE WEBSITES! Sometimes they cancel events and you don't want to go there for nothing.**
This Contact Jam happens every friday.
Entry is 4€ depending if there is live music.
https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/5/1/7/600_455309975.jpeg
It's a nice longish room with a dance floor.
There is live music on every 1st, 3rd & 5th friday.
And a silent jam on every 2nd & 4th friday.
Their Homepage (http://www.phynixtanzt.de/m_einstieg.html#freitags)
Saturday Afternoon Creative Coffee and Talk
**Relax. Connect. Create. 🎨☕**
After a full week of work, meetings, study sessions and life in fast-forward, it’s time to slow down. Join us this Saturday afternoon in Berlin for a relaxed coffee hang-out where this week's agenda is good company & warm drinks. You're also invited to bring some boardgames, drawing/coloring materials (I will bring an adult coloring book)
**What’s the plan?**
We’ll meet in a cosy spot, draw, chat about everything and nothing, swap stories and simply enjoy the moment. No pressure. No formalities. Just a bunch of friendly people sharing a Saturday coffee.
**Who’s welcome?**
Everyone! Whether you’re a Berliner born and raised, newly arrived in the city, from Germany or abroad, if you like meeting open-minded folks and spending some relaxed time—come join us.
**When & how?**
Saturday afternoon. Detailed time and place in our Telegram group.
➡️ Join us on Telegram: [https://t.me/berlinsaturdaycoffee](https://t.me/berlinsaturdaycoffee)
Hop in, say hello, and we’ll share the final details.
**Why join?**
* Because you deserve a break.
* Because you enjoy being creative.
* Because you enjoy boardgames
* Because meeting new people sparks fresh energy.
* Because coffee tastes even better when shared.
* Because Saturday afternoons were made for this.
We hope to see you there. Bring yourself, your smile, drawing materials, your stories—or just your comfy self. 😊
Let’s make Saturday a little more laid-back, a little more social and a lot more nice.
See you soon!
—Your Saturday Creative Coffee Crew ☕
Sprachcafé
Unser internationales Sprachcafé richtet sich an Alt- und Neu-Berliner\*innen, Reisende und Anwohner\*innen - alle sind willkommen!
Bei heißem Tee und Kaffee und frischen Waffeln könnt ihr mit Menschen aus aller Welt ins Gespräch kommen. Um das Eis zu brechen, haben wir verschiedene Spieleinheiten vorbereitet - wie zum Beispiel ein Kennlern-Bingo, Impro-Theater-Übungen und ein kleines Berlin-Quiz. Selbstverständlich ist die Teilnahme an den Spielen freiwillig und ihr könnt euch gerne einfach gemütlich unterhalten. Wir möchten vor allem Sprachstudierende ermutigen teilzunehmen, und Berlin in diesem Rahmen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven kennenzulernen, persönliche Kontakte zu knüpfen und in das kulturelle Kiezleben der Stadt einzutauchen.
Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis
Thursday Jam @ Marameo
**PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK THEIR REPECTIVE WEBSITES! Sometimes they cancel events and you don't want to go there for nothing.**
This Contact Jam happens every thursday. Entry is 5€.
The room is huge! Sometimes with live music.
Their Homepage (http://marameo.de/kurse/marameo-contact-jam/)
https://www.marameo.de/wp-content/uploads/marameo_%C2%A9Christian_Schneider_11.jpg
Culture Hacking Events Near You
Connect with your local Culture Hacking community
Co-Hacking with Hack The Box Labs
Looking to level up your cybersecurity skills in a low-pressure, beginner-friendly environment? Join us for a casual co-hacking session where everyone works on **their own Hack The Box or Capture The Flag-style labs**, but we learn *together*.
This is **not** a formal class or presentation. Instead, bring your laptop, grab a coffee, and make progress on whatever you're working on. If you get stuck, feel free to ask someone nearby — and if you have a tip or trick to share, jump in! The goal is to create a collaborative, welcoming space for learners of all experience levels.
### What to Expect
* Work independently on your own Hack The Box labs, walkthroughs, or practice machines
* Ask questions and share solutions when you want — no pressure
* Meet other people interested in cybersecurity, hacking, and problem-solving
* Beginners, intermediate learners, and experienced practitioners all welcome
### ☕ Location
**Layered (Coffee Shop)**
Comfortable seating, reliable Wi-Fi, and good vibes for hacking time. Please purchase and enjoy a drink or treat to support the venue.
### ✔ What to Bring
* Laptop
* Hack The Box account ([sign up here](https://www.hackthebox.com/hacker/hacking-labs), they offer a number of free labs) or other practice platform
Learn all things Data Science and Compete on Kaggle
We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)
Profs & Pints Northern Virginia: Satanic Panics
[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges.
[Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics) .]
The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse.
Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds.
Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids.
Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since?
Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family.
Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care.
Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.)
Image by Canva.
NoVA Hackers February 2026 Meeting
**Inflow 6:00 PM - Talks Start \~6:30 PM**
**Reston Community Center - 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191**
NoVA Hackers is a group located in the Northern Virginia area and is made up of Information Security Professionals from all walks of life, from government and private sector, to students and beginners.
The monthly meetings are held much like a mini-conference with 4-8 speakers and only a few basic but strict rules.
Participation and Permission
Active Participation is required for continued membership and is the only due required.
Permission is required to be obtained from anyone providing information to the group from the person providing it to be made public by anyone other than the provider.
Historically our talks generally run a bit late and we have a hard stop at 9:30pm for the room. If you want to socialize we recommend you arrive at 6 to meet and greet before the talks.
Agendas and remote meeting option available after you join the group.
Profs & Pints Northern Virginia: The Life of Frankenstein
[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Life of Frankenstein,”** on the birth, evolution and impact of a tale of man-made monstrosity, with Bernard Welt, an emeritus professor of arts and humanities at George Washington University who frequently lectures on Frankenstein in literature, cinema, and culture.
[Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-life-of-frankenstein](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-life-of-frankenstein) .]
Guillermo del Toro’s lush and lovingly produced film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus* is just the latest of many iterations of the story to capture the public’s imagination. People have watched Victor Frankenstein give life to his monster in numerous films, on television, and on stage, and even perform “Putting on the Ritz” with him thanks to the comic genius of Mel Brooks.
Mary Shelley did not just tell a tale. She spawned the modern genre of speculative fiction and gave rise to a myth that would crop up in debates over nature versus nurture and other matters. Even today it stokes anxieties over the potential impacts of robotics, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering, by evoking the image of a monster turning on its progenitor.
Come gain a new appreciation of Mary Shelley’s creation with the help of Dr. Bernard Welt, who has studied the relationship between nightmares and the horror genre and is the author of *Mythomania: Fantasies, Fables, and Sheer Lies in Contemporary American Popular Art.*
Dr. Welt will start by telling a literary origin story almost as famous as Frankenstein itself, of how an 18-year-old Shelley started writing *Frankenstein* in 1816 while staying in a villa on Lake Geneva with two of her era’s leading poets, Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, her lover. Housebound by foul weather, the three read Gothic tales of ghosts and monsters and challenged each other to produce something even more terrifying. Mary dreamed up a story of a man who defied death by creating a living being out of scraps of deceased men harvested from graveyards and anatomy labs.
The resulting novel, *Frankenstein*, published anonymously in 1818, would by that century’s end become a touchstone in philosophical discourse on the nature of humanity and in political discussions of imperialism and populism. By the 21st century, Mary Shelley (as she became) had earned a more significant place in the literary canon than Byron and her husband Shelley.
We will examine how this grisly tale became a landmark of modern thought and look at the part played by numerous film adaptations from the first years of cinema to the present day. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.)
Image: From a Theodor von Holst engraving in an 1831 edition of *Frankenstein* published by Colburn and Bentley of London.
Hardware Hacking Night
Want to mess with some electronics? Or perhaps contribute to HacDC's main group project?
HacDC's latest event brings hardware projects to the community. We will focus primarily on the main project (Space Blimp!) but please feel free to bring some of your own projects to show off and work on!








![[20-30's] 🌍 Culture Exchange in Berlin 🪽](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/4/5/c/highres_532198460.webp?w=640)
![Creative Code Jam [NEW LOCATION @ MotionLab.Berlin]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/f/6/d/highres_529628045.webp?w=640)










