Free Thinker

March's Book: Doughnut Economics: Seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist by Kate Raworth. Economics is broken. It has failed to predict, let alone prevent, financial crises that have shaken the foundations of our societies. Its outdated theories have permitted a world in which extreme poverty persists while the wealth of the super-rich grows year on year. And its blind spots have led to policies that are degrading the living world on a scale that threatens all of our futures. Can it be fixed? In Doughnut Economics, Oxford academic Kate Raworth identifies seven critical ways in which mainstream economics has led us astray, and sets out a roadmap for bringing humanity into a sweet spot that meets the needs of all within the means of the planet. En route, she deconstructs the character of ‘rational economic man’ and explains what really makes us tick. She reveals how an obsession with equilibrium has left economists helpless when facing the boom and bust of the real-world economy. She highlights the dangers of ignoring the role of energy and nature’s resources – and the far-reaching implications for economic growth when we take them into account. And in the process, she creates a new, cutting-edge economic model that is fit for the 21st century – one in which a doughnut-shaped compass points the way to human progress. Ambitious, radical and rigorously argued, Doughnut Economics promises to reframe and redraw the future of economics for a new generation. The meeting starts at 7:30. Shortly after 7.30, we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so. We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group. While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions. *** £3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free! If you prefer, you can [pay online, by clicking here](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZWCNRJ25BDL96). We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.

✏️ FRIEND OF DOROTHY KINK-INSPIRED LIFE DRAWING DRAW TOGETHER. MEET GAY MEN. MAKE FRIENDS. - This Friend of Dorothy event is about bringing gay men together in real life to connect, create and build genuine friendships. Join us after-hours at a London fetish store in the heart of Soho for a two-hour guided life-drawing session that blends creative expression with a relaxed, social atmosphere. Featuring a series of gay fetish and kink-inspired poses, the class offers a unique opportunity to explore form, movement and aesthetic in an artistic setting. The workshop is designed to be welcoming, body-positive and beginner-friendly, whether you’re picking up charcoal for the first time or looking to develop your drawing skills. With a small group of up to 15 people, the evening naturally creates space for conversation, creativity and connection. These events aren’t just about the activity, they’re about creating spaces where gay men can meet new people, share experiences and feel part of a community. With a shared creative focus and relaxed pace, it becomes easy to chat, laugh and get to know the people around you. Expect a series of kink-inspired poses, a relaxed atmosphere and a focus on artistic expression rather than explicit content. All materials are provided (drawing boards, paper, pencils, charcoal and erasers), though you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Please note: the workshop takes place in the store’s basement and is accessible by stairs only, unfortunately there is no wheelchair access. Come for the creativity. Stay for the conversation. Leave inspired and a little more connected. - Everyone attending will also receive FREE Cum Gummies and Muscle Gummies, courtesy of Friend of Dorothy Wellness. All profits from ticket sales will be donated to Impulse London, supporting their work promoting sexual health and wellbeing within the gay community. *Many events are available at up to **75% off** when booked through the **Friend of Dorothy app**, with proceeds supporting LGBTQ+ charities.* [Download the APP NOW ](https://friend-of-dorothy.com/pages/download-the-app-new)

An easy way to take time out: a **30-minute guided meditation** to pause, let go of your day, unwind your mind and create a space for calm and peace. **This is a free in-person meditation.** **If you would like to make a voluntary donation, please click** [here.](https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/ "https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/") \* I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored. We will process your personal data in line with the GDPR requirements and always store it securely and use it only for the purpose for which it has been collected. We will not pass on your details to any third parties without your consent.

Take a pause from your busy day and join us for a 20-minute guided meditation to breathe your stress away, decompress your body and mind, centre yourself and restore your wellbeing. Leave feeling refreshed, recharged and refocused, ready to tackle the rest of your day. No experience is necessary – this free in-person meditation is open to everyone. **This is a free in-person meditation.** **If you would like to make a voluntary donation, please click** [here.](https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/ "https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/") \* I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored. We will process your personal data in line with the GDPR requirements and always store it securely and use it only for the purpose for which it has been collected. We will not pass on your details to any third parties without your consent.

*Is privacy a fundamental human right?* *Should privacy ever be sacrificed for security?* *How does surveillance change how we behave?* *Is privacy necessary for democracy?* This time we will be discussing the **right to privacy** in the relative privacy of an upstairs room of a North London pub! No walk this time (due to a broken toe)! Instead we will head indoors and experiment with a different format - a talk and discussion session. Meet at 2pm at the Star of Kings pub in King's Cross, upstairs in the green room. If you want to do some reading on the subject I recommend **The Right to Oblivion** by Lowry Pressly: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Right-Oblivion-Privacy-Good-Life/dp/067430490X A YouTube video on the same book by Unsolicited Advice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5sx5nGNIyc If you have any other recommendations on the subject feel free to post in the commends below. There will be a short presentation then group discussions. This group encourages friendly, constructive conversations rather than confrontational debates; so give everyone space to talk, be respectful and actively listen to others. It's not about 'winning' a debate but about expressing your opinion and learning about other people's views. Admission £5, if you are a student, unemployed or retired then you can attend for free. You can pay in cash or card on the walk or online with this link: [https://pay.tide.co/products/philosophy-kfDyHrXZ](https://pay.tide.co/products/philosophy-kfDyHrXZ) **This event is supported by the Royal Institute of Philosophy.**

In every society there will come a time when the conditions of life are no longer acceptable for people to tolerate. Maybe your government hasn't listened to the people's requests year after year, and small problems have become big ones. Maybe your government is corrupt, selling its people out for any bribe it can get. Maybe the streets are unsafe, the food is scarce, and the future looks darker than the present. At what point does revolution become necessary? When should we rise up and start a revolution? Can a government ever be so bad that any alternative is better? Should revolution be a last resort? and how do we know when we have reached the last resort? Can violence ever be justified in the pursuit of a better society? \*Please do your own research and share resources related to this topic in the comment section\* #======# Donation! Thank you for being a member. I have made a donation page for those who want to help with the costs. [https://examinedlife.uk/donation/](https://examinedlife.uk/donation/) #======# Group chat We have a telegram group chat and here is a link for the front door: [https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk](https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk) #======# The Examined Life, "Let's Discuss..." session is an open discussion. The format of this event will be: 13:15 - Free flow group discussion about the topic. 14:00 ish - We will be splitting into smaller groups for more engaging discussion about what interests each of you. 16:00 - End of the official meetup. Most often attendees stay and continue discussing up to around 18:00. #======# Please RSVP if you can commit to attending and change your RSVP if something comes up. Inaccurate RSVPs can keep potential attendees on the waiting list and makes it difficult to plan for room sizes and bookings. Art work: tank man tiananmen Square 1989 by Jeff Widener at Associated Press

YOU CAN BOOK YOUR SPOT HERE: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/catharsis-how-to-achieve-emotional-revelation-and-release-in-creative-writing-food-drinks-a-free-book-a-pub-quiz ... Hello there! WHOEVER you are, you’re warmly invited to join us for a full-day creative writing workshop ✍️ with food & drink 🍴☕🍷, literary handouts 📖, and a bit of fun thrown in for good measure 🎉 Together, we’ll be exploring **Catharsis in Writing**: how stories, poems, and personal reflections can help us feel, release, and understand emotion. Over the course of the day, we’ll focus on **three key pathways to catharsis**: 1. **Interpersonal conflict** – tension between characters or people that is resolved, giving emotional release. 2. **Against-all-odds achievement** – following a protagonist (or yourself) through struggle toward success or triumph. 3. **Grief and letting go** – confronting loss and finding a sense of closure or understanding. Throughout the day, we’ll work with poetry, prose, memoir, hybrid forms, and even playful fragments, reading widely, writing freely, and following curiosity wherever it leads. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with new writing, ideas sparked, drafts begun, and plenty to keep working with long after the workshop ends. **What’s the plan? 🗓️** * **Start the day with teas/coffees ☕** and a gentle warm-up writing session ✍️ * **Break for brunch 🥐** at the Reliance Pub * **Settle into reading, discussion, and supported exploration**, experimenting with the three catharsis pathways 💬 * **Wind down with a late afternoon/early evening drink 🍺🍷🥤** * **Finish with a mini pub quiz 🧠🍻** purely for fun **When:** Saturday 28th March, 11am – 5pm **What’s included? 🎁** * A full day of creative writing workshops & exercises ✨ * Tea or coffee to start ☕ * A Reliance Pub brunch platter 🥗 * A late-afternoon/early-evening drink 🍻 * Thoughtful literary handouts 📄 * A little pub quiz 🧠🍻 for fun **What do you need to bring? 🎒** * Yourself 🙌 * A pen & pad 🖊️📓 (or a laptop 💻 if you prefer) **Our style 🌱** We create a friendly, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere 💜 Everybody is welcome — no experience necessary 🌈 No pressure to share or perform 🙅‍♂️ You can take part quietly, actively, or anywhere in between. If you have questions, feel free to text me on 📱 +44 (0) 7534 981 636 and I’ll do my best to help. Warm wishes 🌞, Sean A Write & a Pint

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

So this month's prompt is more general. I think we can all agree that we are living in "unique" times that require coping skills. I think that one role and/or purpose of philosophy is to help us deal with our daily lives and our "unique" times. So, let's share our feelings and thoughts about which philosopher/philosophy we turn to in order to deal with our crazy events. Who/what helps you stay focused in your daily life and helps you sleep at night. I find that Stoicism with a little philosophical pessimism mixed in goes a long way in helping me deal with what I see as very destructive, fearful and mean spirited public policies at both the state and federal levels. Hope to see you on March 28th!

**💥 Join us THIS Saturday and EVERY Saturday!** **💥 At Columbus’ Hottest New Salsa Venue!** **.** Lincoln Street Salsa THIS Saturday and EVERY Saturday! 8 pm – 1 am **.** **💥 Gorgeously Renovated Studio!** **💥 Free Parking!** **💥 BYOB!** **💥 Easy Access from Highway!** **.** Lincoln Street Salsa 1717 Brice Rd Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43215 **.** **ENTRANCE IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING** **Behind Anthony’s Pharmacy!** **.** **PLEASE SHARE and help get the word out!** **.** **🟣 Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue Dancing!** **.** **🟣** 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm **𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻** **.** **🟣** 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm **𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Class!** **.** **🟣** 9:30 pm – 1 am **𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆!** **.** **✅ Questions?** **Visit [LincolnStreetSalsa.com](https://columbussalsadancing.com/)** Or Text Todd: 614-774-8146 **.** **✅ No Experience Necessary!** **✅ No Partner Required!** **✅ Plenty of People to Dance With!** **.** **✅ $15 Cash / $16 Card** **✅ College Students $5 Off with Valid ID!** **✅ BYOB** **✅ Age 18+** **.** **✅ Lincoln Street Salsa is the perfect place for…** **.** **👉 Learning to Dance** **👉** Social Dancing **👉 Birthday Celebration** **👉** Bachelorette Parties **👉 Girl’s Night Out** **👉 Date Night** **👉** Getting Fit / Burning Calories **👉 Meeting New People** **👉** Having Fun, Fun, Fun! **.** ✅ **Questions?** Visit [LincolnStreetSalsa.com](https://columbussalsadancing.com/ "https://columbussalsadancing.com/") Or Text Todd: 614-774-8146 .

This 1967 film is widely regarded as one of the best American movies ever made. Now remembered almost as much for its Simon and Garfunkel music as its deadpan comedy and being the role that established Dustin Hoffman as the hottest actor in Hollywood. It became a cultural icon for capturing the spirit of 60s angst of a young man on the make, while garnering a batch of Oscar nominations. After watching the movie on your own, join us to relive (or experience!) those feelings at our discussion.

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

...and speaking of breakthrough roles: who can forget the first time we saw Tom Cruise singing Bob Seeger in his underwear? Often considered an updated 1983 version of The Graduate, the movie sparkles with memorable lines and original music. I only regret that I was never told that "Princeton could use someone like Bob..." See the movie first and join us for some "Cruisin'"