Decentralized Systems & Applications

This month, we'll have a recorded talk, followed by discussion, on API design and single-header libraries. How should we structure and program libraries to impose as few usage constraints as possible? We’ll look at [the STB libraries](https://github.com/nothings/stb) and other examples as case studies. We're still at the West End Library - see the location in the sidebar for details. **Agenda:** \- 2pm \- 3pm: Library discussion \- 3pm \- 4pm: Open\-ended discussions\, presentations\, etc\. \- 4pm \- whenever: We'll go get food nearby\! **What we do** Presentations on lower-level, foundational programming topics, ethical software, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and discussion. **Who we are:** We are all about handmade software. Rather than focus on frameworks, heavy abstractions, and buzzwords - we typically create projects or research topics that build an understanding of foundational computing concepts, essential data structures, and hardware/software interaction. **What to bring?** Bring a laptop, project, or just a curious mind. If you're not sure you're ready to contribute, don't worry: we're all here to share our passions and hone our craft. **If you arrive late:** Please enter the room quietly as to not disrupt anyone that is presenting. You can take any empty seat.

The[ Simplicity Living Study Circle of Northern VA](https://www.coachingwithdanijk.com/blog/important-community-update-join-our-new-meetup-group-simplicity-living-circle-of-northern-va) meets on the first Saturday of each month from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington, Virginia. **\*This is a rain or shine outdoor event.** This free community group offers a unique and empowering space for individuals seeking to live a simpler, more intentional life. Through participant-driven discussions and facilitated activities, our circle fosters connection, reflection, and mutual support. Hosted by members of the Simplicity Living Circle of Northern VA, we welcome those who are curious about simplicity, mindful living, and environmental care. Whether you are just beginning or deepening your journey, you are warmly invited into this inclusive and supportive space. *Note: Our official Meetup group changed due to administrative complications. This new group is now our verified and active community hub, which you can confirm at our in-person events.*

To help us estimate attendance and to see the venue address, please RSVP on Luma!: https://luma.com/af0yjzz6 *A free, public workshop—no technical background needed* ​Artificial intelligence is no longer just getting better at narrow tasks—it’s beginning to look *general*. Many researchers believe we’re entering the early stages of the **AGI transition**: a period where AI systems start to match or exceed human abilities across a wide range of domains. ​This workshop explores what AGI actually means, how to think about it intuitively (without hype or jargon), and what this transition could mean for your job, your relationships, and your day-to-day life—much sooner than most people expect. ​Together, we’ll explore questions like: ​**What is AGI?** ​How do experts define artificial general intelligence, and how is it different from today’s AI tools? ​**Work & Jobs:** ​Which kinds of jobs are already being automated or transformed—and which ones experts believe are most likely to remain resilient? ​**Human Connection:** ​How is AI starting to replace or supplement roles once filled by coworkers, friends, tutors, therapists, and companions? ​**Robots & the Physical World:** ​What happens when advanced AI is paired with rapidly improving robotics—and which parts of the economy could change next? ​**What you’ll get:** * ​A clear, beginner-friendly explanation of AGI and why it matters * ​Real-world examples of how AI is already reshaping work and social life * ​Live demos that highlight both impressive capabilities and emerging risks * ​Interactive discussion and exercises to test your own intuitions about the future ​Come ready to grapple with one of the biggest transitions humanity may ever face—a shift that could redefine not just how we work, but how we relate to each other, find meaning, and navigate a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines.

Join us for the inaugural meeting of the OffSec US Chapter - DMV. This event is designed to bring together cybersecurity professionals, students, and enthusiasts within the District, Maryland, and Virginia area. The session will feature three technical lightning talks covering certification strategies, offensive infrastructure, and the evolving role of AI in security. We will conclude with a live, interactive walkthrough of an OffSec Proving Grounds machine GOAL: To cultivate a collaborative ecosystem for offensive security practitioners in the DMV region. We aim to facilitate high-level professional networking, provide a platform for knowledge sharing on industry-leading certifications, and bridge the gap between theoretical study and practical, hands-on application. THINGS TO BRING: • Laptop: Highly recommended if you wish to participate in the live Proving Grounds walkthrough. • Note-taking materials: For capturing insights from our technical sessions. • Curiosity: And a passion for breaking (and securing) things. SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate. Content is curated to be accessible for those pursuing their first certifications (like OSCP) while offering valuable automation and AI insights for seasoned professionals. PRESENTER: Speaker 1: OSCP & OSEP Prep Tips – (Virtual Presenter). Speaker 2: Red Team Infra Setup Automation – (In-person Presenter). Speaker 3: AI in Cybersecurity – (Topic TBA - In-person Presenter)

We will be playing up to two games of Power Grid. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. Power Grid is an economic network building strategy game with a fluctuating commodities market and an auction round. The objective of Power Grid is to supply the most cities with power. Players mark pre-existing routes between cities for connection, and then bid against each other to purchase the power plants that they use to power their cities. As power plants are purchased, newer, more efficient plants become available, so by merely purchasing, you're potentially allowing others access to superior equipment. Additionally, players must acquire the raw materials (coal, oil, garbage, and uranium) needed to power said plants (except for the 'renewable' windfarm/ solar plants, which require no fuel), making it a constant struggle to upgrade your plants for maximum efficiency while still retaining enough wealth to quickly expand your network to get the cheapest routes. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfvCc9uGN-U&pp=ygUWaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgcG93ZXIgZ3JpZA%3D%3D) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://www.riograndegames.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Power-Grid-Recharged-Rules.pdf) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. By updating your RSVP when you can't make it other players on the waitlist will have a chance to attend. No-shows may make it harder to attend future meetups. Also, all library rules apply to this meetup event. Mainly that no food is allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed.

From afar, the glittering towers of Sharn seem warm and inviting. But that beauty belies a seedy underbelly where the common citizen ekes out a living and those with some amount of talent or experience can ply their trade as an agent for hire. The dark alleys erupt with slung spells and whizzing bullets. Tales of intrigue, crime, and double deals abound. This adventure is one of those tales... Join us for **Eberron: Confidential.** ***Note***: Please join the event even if its full! We are trying to gauge community interest so we know how many DMs we should recruit to support our player population! **Questions & Concerns:** If you have any questions, please feel free to message me either on Discord(@vinbear) or here on Meetup. **Links:** [Natural Ones Community Discord Link](https://discord.gg/Zj58w85XuW) *Eberron Campaign Discord Link (WIP)* [Eberron Lore Playlist by Jorphdan](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJqE7QBvDyc-PqjO6EyBIYAG9P6HXnv3F) **This week's plothook:** Inspector Germaine Vilroy of the Sharn Watch has reached out to agents of your skill to retrieve a witness from the Cogs, the poorest and lowest district of Sharn. She believes her witness has key information regarding a case that could expose connections between the criminal Daask gang from Droaam and one of the Dragonmarked Houses but can't afford to be seen below the Lower City. Will you and your fellow agents be able to retrieve the witness and get to the bottom of the conspiracy? Feel free to make a character or use one of the Pre-Generated Characters available! *(See below for Pre-Gen bios and Character Creation Guidelines)* **Pre-Generated Characters: (viewable and printable thru Campaign link)** The Punchy Priest: Tiefling Pugilist (Street Saint) *Despite a fiendish appearance, the Priest has a heart of gold. When donations aren't enough for upkeep of the chapel and grounds, they find supplemental income from jobs that require the throwing of hands.* Tags: Melee, Observant, Intimidating, Healer The Cautious Convict: Dwarf Rogue (Soul-Knife) *Everyone has a calling, unfortunately the Convict is acutely aware of the little voice in their head that goads them into shady ventures. Granted, it also makes them pretty good at getting away with it.* Tags: Melee or Ranged, Stealthy, Jack of all Trades, Utility The Enthralling Enchanter: Changeling Warlock (GOO patron) *Changing faces like others change clothes, the Enchanter isn't sure who they are anymore. But their gifts of disguise and magic allow them to be extremely profitable with jobs where subterfuge is needed.* Tags: Magic, Control, Shape changer, Charismatic, Telepath The Gregarious Gunslinger: (multiple versions) *After becoming bored with always winning at cards and gunfights, the Gunslinger sought excitement elsewhere. Armed with a quick tongue and quicker draw, they are a gun-for-hire to various groups in Sharn.* Ver1 Battlemaster Fighter: Persuasive, Intimidating, Observant, Tanky Ver2 Archfey Warlock: Magic, Charismatic, Mobile, Stealthy **Character Creation Guidelines:** [D&D Beyond Link w/ Shared Content](https://www.dndbeyond.com/campaigns/join/7563996667606540) **Rulebooks:** *PHB, DMG, Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, Eberron: Rising from the Last War, The Pugilist Class(2024), Fizban's Treasury of Dragons, Mordenkainen presents: Monster of the Multiverse, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Book of Many Things* **Character Level:** *4* **Fixed HP option** **Multiclassing w/ pre-requisites (2024 classes only)** **Attributes:** *Point buy or Standard Array (no rolled stats)* **Starting Equipment / Gold:** *Per starting class and background OR gold option offered by either. Can then sell off or purchase basic adventuring gear, weapons, and armor based on standard pricing.* *100gp for a Common Magic Item (+base cost if weapon/armor).* **Permanent Magic Items / Loot Budget:** 1 Loot Point (LP) *(LP Budget will increase as community narrative progresses)* *Uncommon Magic Item = 1 LP* *Rare Magic Item = 2 LP* *Very Rare Magic Item = 3 LP* **Firearms: Availability, Pricing, and Proficiency** *Artificers are considered proficient with all Firearms* *Pistol(100gp), Musket(75gp), and Shotgun are considered Simple weapons.* *Revolver and Rifle,Hunting are considered Martial weapons.* *Shotgun, Revolver, and Rifle,Hunting can only be acquired with LP and increases the base cost of a Loot item by 1 compared to the usual Loot Budget.* *For example:* *Revolver(Common) = 1LP* *+1 Revolver(Uncommon) = 2LP* *+2 Revolver(Rare) = 3LP* *+3 Revolver(Very Rare) = 4LP*

Hey folks! We are rallying to get DC GOP/Republican candidates on the ballot. If you live in DC and are registered as a Republican in DC, please head down to the Palisades Farmer's Market this Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 9am to 12pm and sign our petitions. Candidates will be there to introudce themselves and answer questions. Address: **48th Place NW & MacArthur Blvd NW** Time: **9AM to 12pm** Denise Rosado is running for US House Delegate seat. Check out rosadoforcongress.com . Manual Rivera is running for AG. Ciprian Ivanoff is running for Shadow Senator. Teresa Giral is running for Ward 3 Chair. Jorge Rice is running for Ward 6. Jeff Kihien is running for Ward 5. Myrtle Alexander is running for Mayor. Jett Jasper is running for Ward 1. And others...

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** The Dance Exchange - Studio #3 - Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

DC Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. It's community-led and community-run by devs, for devs. People of all skill levels attend. Whether you’re dev-curious, aspiring, or a professional developer, we’d love to have you! Come chat or learn to code on a Sunday afternoon with coffee and cool-inclusive people. Bring your laptop! We typically meet every month on the weekend. **Join our online community!** For all things Tech in DC and to get latest updates and tech events from the DMV area, join the [DCTech Slack](https://dctech.chat/). All DC Code & Coffee announcements are in the #dccodecoffee channel **How it works** Near the beginning of the event, we do an introduction circle. You say your name, what you can help others with, and what you would like help with. You can also share job opportunities. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized. **Event Host and Directions** We are meeting in the big meeting room at the back of the library.

Title: What Is Space Density? From Medium Ontology to the Spacetime Constant K Date: March 8 2026 10:00 am - Noon EDT Abstract: Spacetime plays an active role in gravity, wave propagation, and quantum behavior, yet physics rarely treats it as a physical medium with intrinsic properties such as density or inertia. This missing layer creates a major conceptual gap—especially when interpreting large-scale gravitational anomalies that are often attributed to dark matter. In this talk, Lynn will propose a clear conceptual framework for what it means for spacetime itself to possess a density-like property, and Lynn will explain why Unified Field Theory (UFT) naturally encodes this property through the constant K, called the spacetime background inertial intensity constant. Lynn will introduce a space-density constant μₛ as a universal property of space itself—independent of matter, energy density, or gravitational sourcing. However, μₛ cannot be inserted directly into field equations, because it belongs to the ontological level: it describes what space is, not how spacetime responds. To influence dynamics, μₛ must be expressed geometrically. This leads naturally to K, which carries the same physical meaning but operates at the level required by geometric field dynamics. This is a change in representation—not the addition of new physics. This approach provides an alternative way to interpret dark-matter-like effects. Instead of requiring unseen particles, gravitational anomalies can be viewed as consequences of spacetime’s intrinsic rigidity and its global, cumulative response in large coherent systems such as disk galaxies. In local, weak-field environments, standard Newtonian and relativistic gravity remains an effective approximation. The goal of the talk is not to present a final empirical model, but to clarify the physical meaning of spacetime constants and open discussion between UFT and mainstream theoretical physics. Keywords: Spacetime ontology; space density; intrinsic spacetime properties; Unified Field Theory (UFT); spacetime background constant K; geometric response; gravitational coupling; dark-matter-like phenomena Brief Biography Lynn Lou Beran is a Senior IT Security Analyst and an author, translator, and editor working at the intersection of science, engineering, and communication. She translated and edited multiple editions of Zhang XiangQian’s Unified Field Theory and co-authored recent manuscripts developing a geometric, motion-based view of physical reality. Lynn’s broader work focuses on making advanced ideas accessible without sacrificing rigor, and on connecting conceptual insight to testable predictions and practical tools.

PLEASE CHECK THE ONLINE MEDITATION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS OF THESE MORE THAN 50 SERVICES A WEEK- https://onlinemeditation.yogananda.org/calendar/

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Drake Lundstrom is presenting: Code Anywhere by Talking to your Phone Abstract: Have you heard the trend of people deploying code anywhere from checkout lines to doctors' offices? In this talk, you will learn how to talk to your phone and have an app on Azure to show your friend 5 minutes later. The basic DevOps tools you already know, plus a little bit of AI magic, are all you need! If you want to follow along, the demo will be in Azure with GitHub Actions and GitHub Copilot, and you can have it set up on your phone by the end of the session. Just come in with an Azure account and a GitHub repo. Join us for pizza, drinks, and networking @ Improving's office. Doors open at 5:45.

In this local meeting, you will discover knowledge that you can use to get over the past. The key to improving your personal motivation, self-confidence, and happiness is to get over your painful memories. When you become free of your past, you will be free from stress, anger, anxiety and depression. Studies show that negative emotions can affect your health. By being free of negative emotions, believe it or not, you will most likely even look younger, feel more energetic, and become healthier! 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 brought to you by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/