Democracy for America

Hi there, Here are the books for the June 16th meetup. And remember, you don't have to read both books! Enjoy, and see you on the 16th of June! PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LOCATION HAS MOVED FROM THE BLEEDING HORSE TO JIMMY RABBITTE AT 87 LOWER CAMDEN STREET. Note: If these books are difficult to find in bookshops, try online (e.g.: Amazon.co.uk, kennys.ie, easons.com, bookdepository.com to name a few). AS THIS GROUP DOES NOT TAKE ONLINE PAYMENTS, EVERYONE WILL SHOW AS 'UNPAID'. PLEASE IGNORE. **1\. Empire of AI \- Karen Hao** An eye-opening account of the tech arms race shaping out planet, from an award-winning journalist and AI insider to the world of Sam Altman and OpenAI When longtime AI expert and journalist Karen Hao first began covering OpenAI in 2019, she thought they were the good guys. Founded as a nonprofit with safety enshrined as its core mission, it was meant, its leader Sam Altman told us, to act as a check against more purely market forces. But the core truth of this massively disruptive sector is that it requires an unprecedented amount of proprietary resources: the ‘compute’ power of scarce high-end chips, the sheer volume of data that needs to be amassed at scale, the humans on the ground ‘cleaning it up’ for sweatshop wages throughout the Global South, and a truly alarming spike in the need for energy and water underlying everything. We have entered a new, ominous age of empire with OpenAI setting a breakneck pace, as a small group of the most valuable companies in human history try to chase it down. In exhilarating prose and with unparalleled access to those closest to Sam Altman, Hao recounts the meteoric rise of OpenAI and shows us the sinister impact that this industry is having on society. **2\. Leonard and Hungry Paul – Ronan Hession** Leonard and Hungry Paul is the story of two friends who ordinarily would remain uncelebrated. It finds a value and specialness in them that is not immediately apparent and prompts the idea that maybe we could learn from the people that we overlook in life. Leonard and Hungry Paul change the world differently to the rest of us: we try and change it by effort and force; they change it by discovering the small things they can do well and offering them to others. Séamus

🎲 **Social Games Night at Board and Brewed – Every Tuesday!** Join us every Tuesday at Board and Brewed for an evening dedicated to board game nerds and newcomers alike. From 5 PM to 10 PM, immerse yourself in the world of strategy, creativity, and fun! * **📍 Location**: 75 York Road, Dún Laoghaire. * **🕔 Time**: 5 PM - 10 PM, every Tuesday. Arrive any time! * **🚉 Nearby Transit**: * **DART Stations**: 5-10 minute walk from both Dún Laoghaire and Salthill stations. * **Bus Routes**: 46A, 75, 75A, and 111 bus routes stop just outside. The 7 bus stop is just a 5-minute walk. * **🚗 Parking**: Conveniently park in the nearby underground car park (library Road) or find on-street parking outside. * **💰 Cost**: Just €5 for an entire evening of unlimited gaming. * **🎲 Games Galore**: Choose from over 300 games, with new additions each month. From classic favorites to the latest hits, there's a game for every taste and skill level. * **👥 Perfect for Everyone**: Whether you're a first-time player, looking to try new games, or an experienced strategist, our Social Games Night is designed for all. * **🍕 Delicious Bites**: Fuel your gaming with our gourmet pizzas and toasty sandwiches, perfect for sharing with new friends or enjoying solo. * **🤝 Make New Connections**: Arrive solo or with friends and connect with fellow game lovers in a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere. * **🌟 Experienced Staff**: Our friendly team is always ready to recommend games and help with the rules, ensuring a great experience for all. * **🏆 Monthly Specials**: Keep an eye out for our themed gaming nights and special events! Social Games Night at Board and Brewed isn't just a gaming session; it's an opportunity to dive into new worlds, challenge your mind, and form lasting friendships. See you there for a night of laughter, strategy, and unforgettable memories! 🌟🎉🍹

We would like to wish our members an enjoyable summer and to let you know that we will return with more events in September.

### **Dumpling Night \| No\-Phone Offline Social in Dublin** Join us every Tuesday evening at Lucky Tortoise Temple Bar for a unique no-phone offline social experience. Enjoy delicious dumplings, meet new people, and connect through real conversations without digital distractions. 🎟️ **reserve your spot now and don’t miss out!** 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dumpling-rolling-masterclass-tickets-1030947219887?aff=Meetup ⚠️ *Please note: RSVP on Meetup **does NOT** guarantee your spot. Only those with tickets will be admitted!*

**[Paid Event - 20 EUR | Ticket Mandatory](https://moli.ie/events/bloomsday)** This Bloomsday, step into the world of James Joyce at MoLI (Museum of Literature Ireland) where readers, writers and visitors from around the world will gather to celebrate one of the world’s greatest literary masterpieces in the very place where Joyce once studied. Join us for the annual **MoLI Bloomsday Garden Party**, running from 6pm to 9.30pm on 16 June. Guests can enjoy live performances from songwriter Cara Coyle and her band, as well as Dunny, a three-piece group featuring Donnacha O’Malley, Des Garvey and Jack McGarry. The evening will close with the joyful sounds of Regional Massapê, a Brazilian traditional choro ensemble. Presented in partnership with Teeling Whiskey Distillery, the MoLI Bloomsday Garden Party has become one of the highlights of Dublin’s summer calendar. Tickets are €20 for non-members, while MoLI members receive complimentary admission. Guests will be welcomed with a specially created Bloomsday cocktail courtesy of Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Located in the historic UCD Newman House, where Joyce graduated in 1902, MoLI is home to Copy No. 1 of Ulysses, personally inscribed by the author himself. From special Joycean-themed guided tours to live music and summer cocktails in the museum’s historic gardens, MoLI offers one of Dublin’s most memorable Bloomsday experiences. Set across a single day in Dublin in 1904, *Ulysses* continues to captivate readers and writers around the world more than a century after its publication. Joyce famously said that in writing the novel, he wanted to *“give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city one day suddenly disappeared from the earth it could be reconstructed out of my book.”* [The Bloomsday Festival](https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/) takes place on 11-16 June 2026. It is organised by [The James Joyce Centre](https://www.jamesjoyce.ie/) in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

Learn to Meditate - Free 10 Week Course - Starts Jan 13th 2026 - All Welcome - Join any week - Welcome to Sahaja Yoga Meditation, where experienced volunteers run all classes at no charge. We usually sit on chairs to achieve yoga effortlessly & spontaneously. So there is no need for mats and special clothing. All across the globe, many are seeking new sources of energy. Meanwhile, the most transformative energy of all is hiding in plain sight within us. It's natural, sustainable, and infinitely renewable. It's called inner kundalini energy. And everyone already has it — everyone! Our inner feminine, motherly energy automatically knows about us and what is needed to help us restore balance and harmony within our subtle being. It works spontaneously, effortlessly, and organically and cannot be paid for. The classes are designed to help those attending get into a genuine meditative state, which can be felt tangibly. It is pretty effortless and spontaneous. The free classes feature introductory talks, videos, practical workshops, and general question and answer opportunities, making them perfect for seekers trying to establish a state of yoga. Check our website for more free classes throughout Ireland. The idea is that you don't do yoga - you Achieve Yoga! Sahaja Yoga Meditation is a simple, time-honored technique. It helps those who enjoy it, reduce stress, and increase wellness. It brings better focus and helps people become more centered and better balanced. Anyone can do it. Founded by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, Sahaja Yoga Meditation is a worldwide movement for peace and self-awakening. All the meetings and classes are free of charge. Each week we go through simple meditation techniques, often with guided meditations, to help reduce stress and achieve the peace of true meditation. We share tips on how to help stay in balance during the day and how to meditate at home. The meditation is based on connecting with the inner chakras (energy centres) and balancing the subtle body. The tradition and aims of meditation are explained. In essence, to be in the present without mental activities or thoughts about the past or the future. It’s ultimately all about getting into ‘thoughtless awareness’, a natural state of being. Our website: www.freemeditation.ie Join us on Facebook and Twitter

We are organizing this games night **every Tuesday at 7.00pm, Wild Duck 🦆**, Temple Bar! **🎟️This event is ticketed at the gate.** **With a 10€ ticket you'll get a drink too. Card/Cash accepted** *Do you want to meet new people and also enjoy playing games? Then join us!* We usually play Social, quick and easy to learn games where you break the ice and have fun! You don't need to be a game expert, our games are easy and other attandees will explain you in few minutes if you have never played that game. We have lots of games here but You’re more than welcome to bring your own games. *(also some people may stay till midnight)* *See* *you there 🎲*

Here is the plan for our Sunday morning: 10:00 AM: We will start with a refreshing Yoga session at Killiney Hill. After Yoga: Grab your coffees! For those who want to join, we will head down to Killiney Beach together to hang out, chat, and enjoy the views. Date: Sunday, June 14th, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Killiney Hill (followed by Killiney Beach) Quick Tip: Please bring your yoga mat, your swimsuits towel and wear comfortable clothes suitable for the outdoor weather, and don't forget your water! Let’s celebrate the beautiful transition of the seasons together. Let’s say all together: good bye spring, hello summer! ☀️✨ Looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday morning!

A weekly board game meet up in "Mc Mahon’s Bar and Eatery" which is a pub. We get our own section, it's wheelchair friendly and parking is free! 🙂 Whether you are new or a veteran player you are all are welcome! General guidelines are: 1. Avoid handing drinks to people OVER a game. 2. We cannot take responsibility in the event of theft so keep your valuables close to you. 3. Strictly over 18+ only. The "rules" would be: 1. Be respectful to each other. 2. Don't be a creep. 3. Be patient to players of all skill levels. Failure to be a decent human being\* will jeopardise your participation in future events. The pub owner is really nice and are letting us use the space so if you can - please buy a tea, coffee or a drink on the night to support them if you can but don't feel obligated to do so. They also do food so you won't go hungry! The event starts at 7 PM and everyone is free to play until 11 PM where we'll wrap it up for the cleaners. Feel free to bring your games, join in on a game if there's space or organise a game here for the upcoming event to get participants. We advertise the games we want to play ahead of time on our discord server, so feel free to check it out. https://discord.gg/xW8WryXmKu If you get lost or have any questions feel free to message me on WhatsApp at 0858405446. Just a note for those coming by car from Dublin: 1. I highly recommend using the motorway then driving into the pub. There's a slightly faster way with the back roads but unless you are from the area its not worth the 2 minutes saved since it's barely lit and the bends are somewhat hazardous. 2. Traffic from 5 - 6:30 is horrendous but the roads are clear enough after this time.

**Behind the Scenes of Snowflake Support: How We Solve Your Toughest Data Challenges, Brendan Murphy, Prerna Chhabra, Rafael Cano, Snowflake** In this session, we will demystify the entire Snowflake Support experience from the inside out. We will trace the end-to-end Case Flow of a technical ticket, walking you through the advanced Tooling we use to diagnose complex issues. You will also get firsthand insight into our Cloud Support Engineer (CSE) Approach, revealing how our engineering teams troubleshoot, prioritise, and collaborate to deliver rapid resolutions. Finally, we will provide you with a practical roadmap for Navigating Snowflake. You will learn exactly "who can help you with what," clearly distinguishing between the roles of Technical Support, Solutions Engineers, Professional Services, and Snowflake Partners. Whether you are a developer, data architect, or administrator, this session will give you the knowledge and channels you need to get the right help, right when you need it. **What's New in Snowflake: Post Summit Roundup, Aman Dhingra, Snowflake** Missed Summit launch announcements? Worry not. Snowflake continues to make it easier to unify your data, AI, and applications on a single platform. In this rapid-fire session we'll walk through the most impactful features from recent months, including Summit 2026 — spanning AI, data engineering, governance, and platform infrastructure. Are you using these yet?

This event is beginner Friendly. More experienced players are still free to come along. I will explain the rules before the first game at 7:15 so please arrive on time if you're new. The rules may be different than other versions of mafia that you played. There is limited capacity so we can't accept every RSVP request. If we aren't able to accept your RSVP event please come to a future.

I’m really looking forward to our next **Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations User Group (DUG) Ireland session** — happening on Wednesday June 17th **at Microsoft Dublin**. This group has become such a valuable space for sharing ideas, challenges, and real solutions across the D365 community, and I’m delighted to now be co-leading it. This session will be all about reconnecting, exchanging insights, and shaping what *you* want to see from DUG Ireland in 2025 — from automation wins and feature deep dives to real-world rollout stories. ### 📅 Event Details * **Date:** Wednesday June 17th * **Location:** Microsoft Ireland, Dublin * **Time:** 10:00 – 13:00 ### 📌 Agenda To be confirmed — and shaped by you If you’re part of the D365 F&O world — functional, technical, or somewhere in between — this is your crowd. Please RSVP so we can plan numbers, and feel free to share with anyone who’d enjoy being part of the conversation. Really looking forward to seeing you there and building out an exciting year ahead together. — Mairead *Platform Growth Lead\, Alltech \| DUG Ireland Co\-Lead*

This group is all about hosting a monthly in-person book club right here in Dublin City! If you're into the book we're reading and want to chat about it with others, this is the perfect spot for you. We'll meet for about 1-2 hours, enjoy some drinks and/or food, and dive into the book of the month—sharing our thoughts, exploring themes, and swapping recommendations for future reads. We suggest a €2 voluntary contribution per person to help cover MeetUp fees (cash or Revolut works). See you there!

Join us every Sunday and tell a story as a group by playing a beginner-friendly roleplaying game. Every week we have 2-3 different games - you will choose which game you play on the day. All materials provided and rules are explained at the start of each game, you just need to bring your imagination. 🎭 **This week's facilitators:** * 🏘️ Silvia with *The Ultimate Hidden Truth of the World* \- a story\-focused\, rules\-light mashup of *The Quiet Year* and *FATE*, with a postapocalyptic hopepunk setting inspired by *The Year Without Sunshine* by Naomi Kritzer. The grid has gone dark. The internet is down. The delivery trucks have stopped arriving. But your little community is thriving. Play through four seasons of building something together at the end of the world. * 🏜️ **Scott** with *[The Golden Sea](https://gshowitt.itch.io/the-golden-sea)*, a one-page sandfaring RPG. Eras ago, this was a city the size of a kingdom that scraped the sky, then the sands came - a dry ocean that washed away all but the tallest towers. You work for THE CROWN, a cartel of merchants and mystics that rule the shifting sands. Expect some sleuthing, some fighting, and plenty of sailing along the dune sea as you work in service of The Crown or the Goddesses beneath the sand. *** Feel free to ask the organisers any questions you have (here or on our [Discord server](https://tinyurl.com/indie-rpgs-dublin)).

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~20 per person. Soft drink refills are 1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area. Parking can sometimes fill esrly. There is additional parking lot behind the neighboring Mexican restaurant that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

We will be marching again this summer at Pride. Come ready to show your Pride and stand-up for every human's right to love, respect, and family! * **Step-off:** 10:30AM * **Route:** High Street from the Capital to Goodale Park Update: We are meeting at Bob Leonhard's house. You can park your car there and we will carpool to the parade. This will eliminate you finding parking in the city and excessive walking. You SHOULD BE AT BOB'S HOUSE BY 8:45 a.m.! We will leave for the parade at 9:15 am sharp! Bob's address: 2858 Thorndale Avenue, Columbus, OH 43207 If you have questions, his number is 614-301-7436

**Join us for an afternoon of community art and craft time!** Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you. 🧵 **What to Bring** Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think: * **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending. * **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling. * **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design. * *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!* **📍 Where to Find Us** * We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Hilltop Branch** in **Meeting Room 4**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.** **⏱️ Timeline** * **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on. * **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas. **⚠️ A Note on RSVPs** The RSVP count for this event is strictly limited to 10 spots. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. Please try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel, allowing folks on the waitlist time to check their schedule. *** **We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**

Over a billion documents processed. Millions of Veterans impacted. Hundreds of thousands of employee hours saved. Faster decisions. Greater accuracy. More benefits in the hands of our disabled Veterans. We created Smart Search, the world’s largest consumer of Amazon Textract, right when GenAI began reshaping what’s possible. Since then, we’ve built a suite of AI‑driven solutions that transform this data into real, measurable outcomes—accelerating benefits decisions for our Nation’s Veterans. Join us for a focused conversation on how an outcome‑driven approach to AI is helping us boost accuracy, streamline workflows, and deliver faster results for those who have served. This is a follow up to the AWS re:Invent 2023 "Intelligent Document Processing with Gen AI for Public Sector" presentation. About Speaker: Cameron Williams is a Senior Technical Project Manager and cross-functional technical leader at Booz Allen Hamilton with 15+ years of experience architecting and evolving scalable, cloud-native systems, from greenfield development to complex enterprise modernization. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronw711/ **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