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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Check out fiction events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the fiction events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

Absolutely! Find fiction events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.

Fiction Events Today

Join in-person Fiction events happening right now

BitDevs Bitcoin Socratic Seminar Berlin
BitDevs Bitcoin Socratic Seminar Berlin
**One week later than usual! We'll be at the small Seminarraum instead of the mainhall.** **BitDevs Bitcoin Socratic Seminar Berlin @ c-base Raumstation** Join us for our monthly interactive **[Bitcoin Socratic Seminar](https://bitdevs.berlin)** in Berlin! We’ll start with pizza and beer (sponsored by [Ordimint.com](https://ordimint.com)), followed by deep-dive discussions on the most interesting *technical* developments in Bitcoin from the past month. Participation by everyone is highly encouraged! Our goal is to foster lively discussion, knowledge sharing, and debate. In the weeks leading up to the event, participants gather topics such as: * New research papers * New BIPs and BOLTs * Network statistics * Technical blog posts * Mailing list and Delving Bitcoin threads * Pull requests and updates from key repos (Bitcoin Core, LND, Core Lightning, Eclair, BDK, rust-bitcoin, LDK, Electrum, …) Each topic is briefly introduced by our moderators and then discussed before moving on. The full list of links will be published at [bitdevs.berlin](https://bitdevs.berlin) 1–2 days before the event — please review them in advance to get the most out of the discussion. **Important details:** * This event is highly technical — best suited for those with a solid grasp of Bitcoin internals. Curious newcomers are always very welcome, but expect in-depth conversations (see the former topics at [bitdevs.berlin](https://bitdevs.berlin)). * Chatham House Rule applies: you may share what was discussed, but not who said it. No livestream, no photos, no recordings. * The evening begins with food and networking; people often stay after the seminar to keep talking. **Co-hosted by:** * [Felix](https://x.com/FelixWeis) * [Freerk](https://x.com/freerko) * [Fabian](https://x.com/fjahr) For background on the idea of BitDevs Socratic Seminars, see [this article](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/op-ed-want-to-learn-about-bitcoin-try-a-local-socratic-seminar).
FLow - vocal soundbath and breathwork meditation + freestyle vocal session
FLow - vocal soundbath and breathwork meditation + freestyle vocal session
🕢 Doors open at 18:30 and sessions start at 19:00. Freestyle vocal workout at and play session. €8-20 😌 Flow is a state of being… an experience when you allow yourself to be 100% fully engaged in the present moment in a feedback loop between clarity and satisfaction. It is an undeniable sensation where things seem to be more effortless, pleasurable, in sync, and you can easily sense a connection with something greater than yourself; this is what we will create…: • a connected and mindful meditation where it is possible to blissfully surf the cutting edge of the present moment together… • a game where it’s possible to feel excited and calm in the same moment, and everyone can win as much as they like… Scott Bolden, founder of Das Baumhaus Berlin will share some very easy, practical and effective methods developed during the last 12 years of facilitating the “Improvisational Groove Orchestra” (I.G.O.) improv vocal jam sessions. Within 20 minutes participants learn to use the common sound space to create resonance in the form of improvisational music where it is quite common to experience some real flow moments… It is very easy to participate, no musical talent or training is required so anyone is welcome to join. All of the session is done with eyes closed to avoid visual distractions and keep focus on the co-created sound space. During these sessions we will also have short breaks for feedback and refreshment. Important – Please be on time. It is very important to understand the methodology and warm up in the group before joining in! 🎤 @21:00 - Freestyle vocal workshop and practice session. €8-15 Have you ever wanted to learn how to do freestyle vocalizations? Maybe you are on your way and would like to just have a fun workout session with other vocal freestyle enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Links to sound samples - https://www.baumhausberlin.de/events/flow-a-guided-vocal-sound-bath-meditation/
Creative Writing & Wine
Creative Writing & Wine
## DNA. presents: "CREATIVE WRITING & WINE" \- A space where creativity flows and every sip inspires\. Settle into Your Wednesday evening with a glass of wine in hand and step into a cozy, inspiring atmosphere made for sharing stories, listening deeply, and letting Your own voice come alive. Our storytelling and poetry evenings are open to everyone — whether You're just beginning to explore spoken word or You’ve been writing for years. No pressure, just presence. ##### *With gentle, uplifting prompts and space to express Yourself, You’ll create, share, or simply enjoy the power of words in a warm, welcoming circle.* Whether You’re planning a soulful midweek date, coming alone to unwind, or meeting friends for something different, this is Your moment to connect, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of language. ##### *Each gathering offers something new: fresh themes, meaningful conversations, unexpected moments of truth, and a community that listens with its whole heart.* ##### ‍ See Us Soon :) Love. Garen & DNA. *** ‍ For more insights, follow us on IG: [@nightart.club](https://www.instagram.com/nightart.club) \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR.
Painting Workshop - Oil Colors, Acrylics
Painting Workshop - Oil Colors, Acrylics
A 2.5 hours oil color - acrylics painting lesson. **About this course** This is a painting workshop with the goal of teaching people how to create paintings using either oil colors or acrylics. The total subject lessons consists of around **27 lessons** that last 2.5 hours each. You can join at any time during the course. On each lesson the first part will be about theory and exercise and the second one about canvas time. Each participant will have the chance to work on canvas and start making paintings as artworks. All materials are provided by us. Each lesson has a subject. We do not follow a particular order, and every lesson is actually unique and many times personalized. This means that every time the attendess will have to do something new and different. You do not have to paint on canvas and with the mentioned art materias, you can also choose to use any of your wish. Most of the observations and exercises work well with all art materials. It is suitable for beginners and or even professionals who want to rationalize the canvas painting process. It is being hosted by the visual artist [Miltos Despoudis](https://miltosdespoudis.gr/). **How much does it cost?** Check below: * 6 Lessons Packet (2.5 hours each) cost **120€.** Prepaid lesson tickets are valid for 6 months. * First lesson try-out costs **17€**. You can do that only once. * 1 x Lesson (2.5 hours) costs **25€.** You can pay either by cash or card at the event. All of the materials are included within the ticket reservation **except the canvases.** You can paint anything on a canvas we will provide you free but if you want to keep the canvas you will have to purchase it at the same cost we bought it. Canvases range from 3 to 9 Euros. **How do I subscribe?** You need to reserve a spot here and come at the event. You can pay at the event. Please verify that you are attending so that we know and prepare accordingly with the art supplies. **What do I need?** Watercolors materials will be provided at the venue. You can also bring your own art supplies, it might be helpful to learn working with what you have. Keep in mind that working with colors might make your clothes dirty, but in general we try to be clean. **More Info** The workshop happens almost every Wednesday. Learn more about the watercolor lesson plan here: [https://creativesessions.art/workshops/painting-workshop/](https://creativesessions.art/workshops/painting-workshop/) **Refund Policy** On case by case scenario. If you paid for the tryout session we can refund up to one day before the event starts. If you paid for the lesson packet and used one of the tickets no refunds are possible.
SU&W In-person Mitte
SU&W In-person Mitte
Come along, grab a coffee, shut up, and write! We will do at least two sessions of each 45 minutes of writing and two breaks. We will start the first writing session at 10:15. For space reasons, we are limited to a certain number of attendees, so please update your RSVP if you can't come. We are typically by the large windows facing the U-Bahn entrance. If you are new, come and say hello, as we know that suddenly going quiet for 45 minutes and staring at that blank page can be intimidating when it's your first time. We have a lot of long-term regulars who will be happy to help you feel welcome. In between sessions, we have a Telegram chat: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com/).
Bring-a-Friend & Find-a-Friend" Night
Bring-a-Friend & Find-a-Friend" Night
Boardgames at Drehmoment Bar, Wedding
Boardgames at Drehmoment Bar, Wedding
**Hello every boardgame enjoyer!** We'll continue our weekly boardgame evenings every Wednesday in Drehmoment (Glasgower Str. 29, 13349 Berlin) from 19:00. You are all invited to join us! You can expect a lot of fun light games suitable for the location. We have a small library of games you are free to use (but you are also encouraged to bring your own). The games are fast so feel free to join any time! Gamers of all experience levels are welcome. Drehmoment is a classic Berlin bar, they offer varius drinks and have the best cocktails in Wedding. We have a big room in the back just for us. We are allowed to bring your own food and they have snacks for sale. A couple of ground rules that we take seriously: 1. We are guests at Drehmoment, please treat their staff with respect. 2. There is no entry fee but please support the bar by buying drinks or snacks while you are playing. 3. Be efficient in your seating and kind to other patrons. See you on Wednesday

Fiction Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

Bookclub in Tiergarten
Bookclub in Tiergarten
An afternoon bookclub, organized by our member Patrick Rutledge. We will meet either in the café or the beer garden of this cultural center and talk about what we are currently reading :) and, if we've time, chat in general about books. Please also feel free to read a sample from you book if you wish. Usually we read both fiction and non-fiction (history, philosophy, sociology, and other topics). Bring your Kindle, your tablet, or your paper books. The discussion will be in English, but of course feel free to bring books in any language.
Berlin Options Trading Round Table – Monthly Meetup
Berlin Options Trading Round Table – Monthly Meetup
Join us for a relaxed after-work gathering of the Berlin Options Trading Round Table. Experienced traders come together to share insights on strategies, risks, and opportunities in today’s markets. We discuss volatility, market sectors, commodities, individual stocks, and also dive into future megatrends and their impact on society and markets. Connect, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives—all in a casual, friendly atmosphere. We speak German and English!
Silent Reading / Creating Club at W66 (Saturday) [Luma to RSVP]
Silent Reading / Creating Club at W66 (Saturday) [Luma to RSVP]
RSVP on Luma: [https://luma.com/oz1a88ms](https://luma.com/oz1a88ms) Silent Reading / Creating Club is a gathering for people who enjoy focusing together in public. Bring a book, a notebook, a sketchpad, knitting needles, whatever you’d like to spend a quiet hour doing. All projects and all participants are welcome. We’re building a community of readers and creators who value depth, presence, and shared silence. The reading and creating isn't the real highlight, though, it’s in the people who return and make it feel like a familiar room. (Please RSVP “yes” only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and others on the waitlist.) Our Meeting Point is the **W66 Café**. There’s no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the café and don’t bring outside food or drinks 🙂 No assignments, expectations, or pressure. Just a shared hour of intentional silence, followed by the opportunity for good conversation. 🕰 Our Agenda **10:30 – 11:00** Arrivals, ordering drinks/food, light social time **11:00 – 12:00** The Great Quiet Hour (Read. Write. Sketch. Code. Think. Sit.) **12:00 – 12:30** Optional socializing: share what you were reading or creating, or simply continue in quiet focus. ## 🏡 House Guidelines To keep this space calm and welcoming for everyone: • Silence during the focus hour (no calls or conversations) • Put cellphones on silent mode • If using technology, please avoid meetings or audio (headphones please!) • Arrive before 11:00 if possible to minimize disruptions
📚 15 Pages Book Club — Short Story Morning
📚 15 Pages Book Club — Short Story Morning
📚 **Short Story Sunday** 📍 **Location:** Iska Café 📅 **Timing:** Every second Sunday 🕰 **Time:** 11:00 – 13:00 **Selected story: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (\~15 pages)** 1st Link: https://americanliterature.com/author/charlotte-perkins-gilman/short-story/the-yellow-wallpaper 2nd Link (PDF backup): https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/theliteratureofprescription/exhibitionAssets/digitalDocs/The-Yellow-Wall-Paper.pdf 3rd Link (PDF backup): https://archive.org/details/yellowwallpaper1901gilm/page/n11/mode/2up **A Slow Sunday Morning with Stories** The **Sunday 15 Pages Short Story Book Club** is a gentle way to begin the day — a cozy literary gathering for people who enjoy slowing down, listening to stories, and sharing thoughtful conversation. Instead of reading alone at home, we experience literature together. Each meeting invites us to step out of the Berlin’s rush into a calm space of imagination, reflection, and human connection through short fiction. **How the Morning Flows (Approx. 2 Hours)** **11:00 – 11:30 \| Arrival & Settling In** Gather at the café, order something you enjoy, and ease into the morning. **11:30 – 12:15 \| Collective Reading** We read a carefully selected short story together. **12:15 – 13:00 \| Discussion & Reflection** An open and informal conversation about impressions, emotions, interpretations, and ideas ✨Feel free to join only for the discussion part if you feel like reading on your own ✨ **What to Expect** Short stories are selected by the hosts and announced online before each meeting. No preparation is required — simply arrive and immerse yourself in literature and conversation. **What to Bring With You** • Your own copy of a story • Curiosity and openness • A willingness to listen and share perspectives • Optional: a notebook if you enjoy jotting down thoughts • Your appetite for coffee, cake, and good stories **📍Location:** * We meet at the Iska Cafe at Kalckreuthstraße 7, 10777 Berlin. There is no pin at the google maps yet, so please just come directly to the location and find us at the right door at Erdgeschoss. * 🚇 **U1\, U2 Wittenbergplatz \|\| U1\, U2\, U3\, U4 Nollendorfplatz** * 🚌 **106\, 187\, M19\, M29 An Der Urania \|\| M46 Motzstraße**
 I WRITE – A Silent Writing Club (Just You & Your Words)
I WRITE – A Silent Writing Club (Just You & Your Words)
Welcome to **I WRITE**, a gentle space for anyone who wants to write—quietly, freely, and without judgement. We are a Berlin community of writers who gather together weekly to write, talk and recharge after a long week. Some of us journal, some write novels, some do academic writing, many people come without a project in mind and see where the inspiration flow takes them. This is a space to simply show up and write, a safe place to be yourself and to release all your layers onto the paper. There’s no set topic, no feedback circle, and no pressure. Just warm people, a calm atmosphere, and time dedicated to yourself. 🗓️ **Agenda:** * 14:30 - 15:00 **→** 30 min arriving, optional socialising (arrive early, meet other writers) * 15:00 - 16:00 **→** 1 hour of silent writing (headphones welcome, focus encouraged) * 16:00–16:30 **→** 30 mins break + optional chat or solo time (stay and chat or go celebrate the rest of your Saturday) * 16:30–17:30 → 1 more hour of silent writing (for those staying) * 17:30–18:00 → 30 mins of chat, and leaving 🎒 **Bring:** * Something to write with (laptop, notebook, phone, typewriter… anything goes) * Something to drink (there is no cafeteria, unfortunately) * Your current project or a blank page * Yourself, exactly as you are **👉 Responsibility:** * Our location is limited; thus, I am kindly asking you to RSVP only if you are willing to attend. **📍Location:** * We meet at **Heinrich Schulz Library in Charlottenburg**. In the library, go look for the Gruppenraum; I will be waiting for you there. Any trouble finding the room, I will come to meet you outside. * 🚇 U7 **Richard-Wagner-Platz** * 🚌 M45 Bus **U Richard-Wagner-Platz** **About me:** Hi, my name is Anastasia. I started this writing club back in May 2025. Since then, it has been hosted weekly at the Heinrich Schulz Library (who is kind enough to allow us to use this room for free). Over this time, I’ve been privileged to meet some of the most creative and kind minds in Berlin. And I would be happy if you joined us. Whether you're an experienced writer or just at the beginning of your journey, you're welcome. If you know how to hold a pen or how to type, there will always be a space for you. Let's write together!
Berlin Book Swap in the Park - BYOB (book, blanket, beverage) weather depending!
Berlin Book Swap in the Park - BYOB (book, blanket, beverage) weather depending!
The one nice new feature that lockdown gave us -- picnic swap! Bring books to swap, a blanket to sit on, and beverages of your choice! Let's enjoy the brief Berlin Summer at beautiful Monbijou park on the Spree. WEATHER DEPENDENT - if it rains we will reschedule so keep an eye out. **_And here's our usual description -_** The "classic" bookswap is simple - we meet in a café, you bring the book(s) you want to share, put them on the table, leaf through and discuss the books that others brought and, at the end of the evening, take a new-to-you-book home! Books/happiness shared are books/happiness multiplied! 
This is a great way to give books a new home and make room for new books: that book you feel guilty for not having read even though it's been sitting on your bedside table for the last 5 years, the book you liked but didn't love, the book you loved so much you want everyone to read it, the book you somehow own three copies of, that book you absolutely hated even though everyone else loves it, etc., etc., etc....
And chances are high you'll go home with an alluring stranger you never would have thought of reading before (OR that book you've been lusting after for years but never enough to actually buy!). 
**GROUP EXPECTATIONS for PLEASANT SWAPPING** 
• Please bring a book!
Some people bring more than one, and the organizers usually have a handful, but if everybody ends up not bringing a book, we have nothing to swap, except stories. But we won't chase you away if you're empty handed. 
• Books stay on the table, open for sharing, until you are ready to leave so everyone can have a fair look 
See a book you like? Please put your name down as a candidate to take it home (we provide sticky notes!), and wait to see if anybody else is interested before snapping it up, as in, please wait until you are leaving. One of the key aspects of the swap is getting exposed to books outside of our library bubble, so it's important to keep the books as open to sharing as possible.
If two or more people want the only copy of a book, talk it over. Maybe you can swap contact info to share the book one after the other. Or maybe it turns out one of you isn't that interested, or has found another book instead. Or one of you REALLY wants to read it. The best part: now you have found somebody whose taste you can really admire. 
We consider it poor form to walk away with a book with several names on it without letting the others know. 
Also, don't be shy! Don't shy away from a book because there's already a name on it, and feel free to put your name on as many books as you want. We're more generous than just bring-one-take-one. 
• Book Swap is 10 times better than a Book Club because you can talk about ALL the books instead of just one!
Half the fun of Book Swap is swapping recommendations for reads that aren't even on the table. The other half is meeting other great readers. Another half is taking home that new book! 
• NO POLITICS. (please.)
Unless you're talking about a book.
It's Friday night. Let's leave current events at the office for once, please.
Please respect this space as first and foremost a community for connecting readers over their love of books and reading, stories, and narratives of all sorts. Please be respectful of tastes and opinions.
If something is bothering you, please reach out to the organisers, and we'll do our best to solve it. 
• Don't expect your book back: if you love it, let it go
In spirit, this is an opportunity to share=lend books among peers. In practice, this is more of a book-giveaway. It is NEVER guaranteed you will get your book back, even with your name and email inside the book with a "Please Return." If you're really serious, it's best to get the borrower's contact info and prod them for it. Note: our staunch "Regulars" are significantly more likely to come back with the book if you ask them (and you have to come back too!). On the other hand, some books keep coming back like bad pennies.

• Major LANGUAGES (and genres) of this meetup
English, German, French, Spanish; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Serious Reading, Light Fun, Everything! 
On average I think it's 60% English, 40% German, and 10% French/Spanish; usually 80% fiction, but the mix is different every time. One of the best compliments the group has received is the consistently high quality of reading material on the table. We have "classics," we have celebrity book club books, Krimis, Booker winners, and everything in between. You never know who can read what languages, and there's no accounting for taste. 
We are a delightful and international group of readers.
We look forward to swapping with you!

Fiction Events Near You

Connect with your local Fiction community

June Book Club Meetup
June Book Club Meetup
Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖
In-Person Meeting: How to Improve Relationships with Others
In-Person Meeting: How to Improve Relationships with Others
Attend a free seminar on how to have successful and lasting relationships. At this seminar you will learn: How to spot and handle negative and toxic relationships. How to get through the "rough patches" in a relationship. How to choose the right people to work with. The three things that make or break any relationship. How to make a good relationship great. All are welcome. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. Hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
Free In-Person Meeting: Get Over Losses & Betrayals, Build Lasting Relationships
Free In-Person Meeting: Get Over Losses & Betrayals, Build Lasting Relationships
This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.
Monthly Meet Up (Goddess of the River)
Monthly Meet Up (Goddess of the River)
This month we’ll be reading Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!