GMAT Study Group

*"The Centre is of the opinion that the achievements in construction these recent years are great ... However, in the concrete work in the agricultural and industrial and other sectors, there were some flaws and mistakes that led to some losses. The reason for these flaws and mistakes was fundamentally because **many leading personnel had slackened in the kind of investigation and research work** which had been carried out during the War of Resistance against Japan and the War of Liberation with excellent results, and had become content with reading the reports that appear in the newspapers and listening to other people’s oral reports. **When they went out themselves, it was merely to look at flowers while riding on horseback—they were content with a superficial understanding,** and for a period made some assessments and took some decisions based on data that did not correspond to the actual situation or that were of a biased nature. During this period, exaggeration was indulged in and the abominable work-style of making personal feelings a substitute for policy, reared its head once again. **This is a major lesson, and leading comrades at all levels throughout the Party absolutely must not neglect or forget this lesson for which a price has been paid."*** \-\-\- *Zhongfa* No. 261, Letter from the CCP Centre to the Regional Bureaus and the Party Committees of the Provinces, Municipalities, and [Autonomous] Regions Concerning the Matter of Conscientiously Carrying out Investigations [23 March 1961] Hello all and welcome back to the China Study Group! Having finished our months-long deep dive into modern Chinese history with the multi-part *Sorghum and Steel* reading, we're now changing gears rapidly with a read-through of Mao Zedong's short, punchy but profoundly influential text *No Investigation, No Right to Speak*, also known as *Oppose Book Worship.* Find it here: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-6/mswv6_11.htm Written in May 1930 from the liberated base area known as the Jiangxi Soviet Republic during the height of the first period of the Chinese Civil War, this text encapsulates Mao's contributions to communist political and military theory. If there's anything unique in Chinese Marxism, it's this insistence on detailed, region-by-region, city-by-city, street-by-street collection of what today might be called political "data". Even today, the CPC's major theoretical journal *Quishi* takes its name from the idiom first coined by Mao and later promoted by Deng Xiaoping - *[seek truth from facts.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seek_truth_from_facts)* The text quoted above comes from a document published by the CPC journal *Zhongfa* in the years just before the start of the Cultural Revolution (find the text [here](https://emaoism.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mao-zedong-on-investigation-and-research.pdf) if you're curious). It speaks to the immense emphasis which was at that time starting to be laid once again on the carrying-out of "investigation and research work" after years of neglect. It may seem elementary, but spend a decade on the British left with the Trotskyists and other groups that draw on the Soviet experience as their primary source of inspiration, and you'll see how common it remains today, as in Mao's time, for communist know-it-alls to take what they think they know about the working and other classes for granted. All too often, we assume that workers, students, intellectuals, the so-called middle classes and other groups are monolithic, with uniform interests and universal experiences. Meanwhile, things on the ground are never simple. What it's like to be a worker not only varies from job to job, industry to industry but even house-to-house among workers who on paper have the same background. Social investigation as a key communist practice wasn't unprecedented when Mao was writing, of course. Marx introduced the idea of ["worker's inquiry"](https://viewpointmag.com/2013/09/27/workers-inquiry-a-genealogy/) to the labour movement, a thread which was later picked up by the Italian Autonomists of the mid-century and carried on today by groups like Notes From Below and the Angry Workers Collective, whose work we've previously studied at LMRG. This kind of attention to detail in political, trade-union and community organising has paid dividends for many, so let's investigate it! Join us for a discussion of the social investigations of the Chinese Civil War, their connections to other forms of Marxist theory-of-practice like workers' inquiry, the prospects for and use-values of social investigations in Britain today, and more. Happy reading and see you there! \-\-\-\- About the China Study Group: What can we learn from the Chinese Revolution? That's the question we'll seek to answer as LMRG brings the heat to you once again, now on Tuesday nights, with our all-new China Study Group. In this long-form reading series, we'll meet monthly for in-depth discussion of a series of texts on China, its revolution, the socialist market economy, and more. As the [New Cold War](https://thetricontinental.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20221107_MR-NCW_EN_Web.pdf) heats up, it's never been more important to learn what we can about the country which the US, UK and EU have all described - following the [American phrasebook](https://www.gmfus.org/news/china-systemic-rival-systemic-threat) \- as a "systemic rival"\.

You're exhausted. And somehow, you still feel like you're not doing enough. That's not a productivity problem. That's your inner critic, and it's running the show. Most of us have a voice in our heads that keeps score. That reminds us of every mistake, every missed opportunity, every way we've fallen short. In a city like LONDON, where everyone looks like they're thriving, that voice can get very loud, very fast. This group is for people who are done letting it win. Over two hours, we slow down (genuinely slow down) and do something most of us rarely make time for, learn to be a little kinder to ourselves. **What we do together:** Each session combines guided meditation, practical self-compassion exercises, and space for genuine human connection. You'll leave with tools you can use in your daily life, and perhaps a few new faces you're glad you met. **In this group you can expect to:** Explore how your inner critic works — and how to respond to it differently * Experience guided meditations designed to calm the mind and build self-compassion Learn practical, evidence-based exercises grounded in mindfulness and compassion-focused approaches * Meet like-minded people in a warm, non-judgemental space **Who is this for?** Everyone is welcome, whether you've never meditated before or you've been practising for years. This group is especially for you if you recognise yourself in any of these: \*You tend to be your own harshest critic * You feel exhausted, stretched thin, or close to burnout \*You find it easier to be kind to others than to yourself * You want to meet genuine people in a meaningful setting — not another networking event Just click on attend and you'll get all details of the event on your email. See you there!

This group is a private substance misuse support group, for individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship with drugs/alcohol. The group is facilitated by a trained and qualified Janus worker. This group is designed to offer support, encouragement and to provide a forum, that allows you to make informed choices. The objective of this group is to liberate you from the labels of addiction, dependency, illness sickness and "disease", replacing them with the more proactive terminology of choice, responsibility, self control and decision making. Janus does not use the 12 step model. It uses the Janus approach to working with substance use called "The Resonance Factor" http://bit.ly/Resonance_blog Hopefully you will find these groups informative, innovative and creative. Before entering this group could you contact CHRISTOPHER ROBIN on 07515663621 to discuss the finer details regarding payment and room number in the venue etc.

**Looking for a high-quality business networking event in London** to connect with founders, entrepreneurs, and professionals? Join us in the elegant **Sycamore Bar at the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel, Covent Garden,** where real business connections happen\*\*.\*\* Co-hosted by London tech startups **GMax Card, Ciitab and Getshop Today.** **Why Attend?** * A more polished, higher-quality alternative to typical casual networking events * Build valuable business connections in a premium environment * Exchange ideas and uncover new opportunities **Who You’ll Meet:** * Founders and entrepreneurs * Tech, digital, and product professionals * Business owners, consultants, and senior decision-makers * Professionals in finance, banking, and investment * International professionals based in London **Hosted by founder-built tech startups:** * **[GMax Card](www.gmaxcard.com)**[ - premium digital and contactless business cards](www.gmaxcard.com) for modern networking * **[Ciitab](www.ciitab.com)**[ - AI-powered LinkedIn networking](www.ciitab.com) and outreach * **[Getshop Today](www.getshop.today)**[ - UK-built ecommerce platform](www.getshop.today) for independent online stores **What to Expect** Our events typically bring together a focused group of founders, business owners, and professionals across tech and finance - creating a room that feels both approachable and high-quality. Expect a relaxed atmosphere with space for natural introductions and open business networking. Hosts are there to help facilitate connections on arrival. **Event Flow** We keep a light structure to help everyone connect naturally: * 18:30 Arrival & welcome * 19:00 Short introductions * 19:30 Open networking * 21:30 Close **Venue** **Sycamore Bar, Middle Eight Hotel**
 A refined, design-led bar inside the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel.
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, within walking distance of Holborn, Covent Garden, and Tottenham Court Road stations. **Note re contactless cards:** Free RSVP includes event access only. [Contactless GMax Cards](http://www.gmaxcard.com/shop) are included with paid tickets (when available). **Dress Code:** Business / smart. This is a business networking event in a 5-star hotel rather than a fully informal gathering in a local pub. **Important Details** * **Age & ID: 18+.** ID may be required for bar purchases. * **Photos & Video:** The event may be filmed or photographed by [CineEye Audiovisual Production](www.cineeye.co.uk) for promotional use. Please inform the organisers on arrival if you do not wish to appear. * **Dress Code:** Smart or business attire only. * **Contactless Cards:** Free RSVP does not include a contactless business card. * **Liability:** Attendance is at your own risk. Organisers and venue do not accept any responsibility for loss, injury, or damage to you or your property. **Limited spaces available - early booking recommended.** You’re also welcome to join [our Meetup group](https://www.meetup.com/london-entrepreneur-startup-network-tech-business-ecommerce/) and [follow us on LinkedIn](http://linkedin.com/company/gmax-card) for future events.

Join us for some fun, competitive, but friendly games at our 4-court sports hall. We use Yonex Mavis 600 Nylon shuttles during the 2-hour session. **PAYMENT** * **Session Fee: £9** * We are cashless, kindly pay the session fee **by midnight** on the night before the session. You are welcome to pay early! You can even pay when you book! See our About page for the full process. * If no payment is received, you will be removed and may even be liable for a late cancellation fee if your spot is not taken. * Please use **“your meetup name + date of event”** as payment reference * **Account name:** Thomas Lam * **Sort code:** 04-00-03 * **Account number:** 7478 8608 **LATE CANCELLATION OR NO-SHOW** * **All** **no-shows or late cancellations** (24 hrs or less) will be charged if your spot is not taken by someone else - you will have a title next to your name with the amount and date owed. * Members with 2 no shows/late cancellations will be removed from the group unless outstanding payment is received * **The late cancellation policy** is set up to discourage last-minute cancellations and therefore applies with or without the presence of a waitlist * **Note:** If you are on the Waitlist and a spot becomes available, you will automatically be bumped onto the On list provided the event has not yet started. It is your responsibility to **remove yourself from the waitlist** if you can no longer make it to avoid being charged a no-show if someone cancels late. **PLAYING** * Please wait to be marked off before entering the hall. * Sessions are to finish promptly on the hour by school requests. * If you finish a match with 5 minutes to go, please start packing up instead of starting a new game. **RACKET HIRE** * Please note that we won't be hiring out rackets, so kindly bring your own racket. **PARKING** * There is parking available, but it is now paid parking. Parking is opposite the entrance. Please check the signs for parking payment instructions. **TRACK & TRACE** * We will collect your phone number on-site. Your phone number will also be used in case of fire to contact you if you have not made it to the fire evacuation areas. You can see maps at the venue. We are excited to see you guys on the court! Team LSBC

**FREE in-person communication skills training and group practice, recurring fortnightly, with optional pub social afterwards** You’ll be welcomed at Pavona Bar by one of our hosts as people arrive. At 5pm, we’ll head downstairs to a private room where the session begins, led by our trainers on the evening’s topic. Group participation is encouraged, with some simple exercises to help you practice conversations in a relaxed, non-judgemental space. Around 6:30pm, we’ll head back upstairs—feel free to stay for a drink and socialise or head off, whatever suits you. Ever get stuck in conversations that feel flat, predictable, or just… boring? This event is your chance to break free from autopilot and discover how playful conversations can spark connection, playfulness, and lasting impact. Hosted by **Your Charisma Coach**, this interactive evening is all about building spontaneity, learning the art of risk-taking, and finding the confidence to keep conversations flowing with ease. Discover practical insights that spark better conversations, learn through fun and focused exercises, and wrap up the evening with new friends and a relaxed social to keep the connection going. 🔑 **What You’ll Learn:** * **How to turn dull chats into playful sparks** that actually go somewhere * **The art of spontaneity** (no improv class required) * **Staying cool when the convo stalls** so you never feel awkward or stuck * **Simple tricks to stay flexible and quick on your feet** in any exchange **🌍 More From Us** This event is part of our Bi-weekly **Your Charisma Coach** series in London. Each week, we explore a different pillar of charisma — from storytelling to confidence to presence. * Follow us on instagram 👉🏼 [Come join our community](https://www.instagram.com/yourcharismacoach/) * Follow us on YouTube 👉🏼 [Learn charismatic tricks and hacks](https://www.youtube.com/@YourCharismaCoach) * See what people are saying 👉🏼 [Event Testimonial](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RHkQQ7MNE3A) * See what a session looks like 👉🏼 [Easter 2026](https://youtube.com/shorts/nFysbIzp6ow?feature=share) * Take a peak at us 👉🏼 [Hanging out after the session](https://youtu.be/0Qz67Rr3Gg4) **📩 Questions or Contact** Got a question about the event or future sessions? * Email: john.w@yourcharismacoach.com * Website: yourcharismacoach.com Please feel free to ask any questions about the event in the comment section and we'll get back to you ASAP

Inspired by Sheila Liming's 2023 book, Hanging Out, this event is about "daring to do nothing much, and even more than that, about daring to do it in the company of others." If you're curious, you can read more about my rationale for the event [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/hanging-out), and how our pilot event went [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/it-worked). **This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre.** You can find us by looking out for: * Me - I will be wearing a black T-shirt with HANGING OUT written on the back * Our table - which will have a red flag draped over it with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. If you feel like using the hanging out as a carrot for some creative work, please join us an hour earlier for [WRITE CLUB](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/313686721) \- an hour of silent writing/reading in the same location\. And if you'd like to finish the evening with a dance, there is a free social salsa meetup just outside The Southbank Centre just afterwards. More info [here](https://www.instagram.com/salserosfriends/). [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FgGCrGc8TNzF8q7lvwozbR) [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/experimentsingroupwisdom) [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) Looking forward to meeting and hanging out with you :-) Bonny

The first rule of WRITE CLUB is that you do not talk ***during*** WRITE CLUB. This very simple meetup is based on the premise that public and peer accountability enables more productive writing than sitting at home and getting distracted by the fridge. We will write/read for an hour in silence. (I will be writing thought experiments for my other meetup group: [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs)) If you'd like to hang out afterwards, or if you prefer just to hang out, I have another event immediately afterwards in the same place :-) You can find that here: [HANGING OUT AT THE SOUTHBANK](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/313686740) And if you'd like to finish the evening with a dance, there is a free social salsa meetup just outside The Southbank Centre just afterwards. More info [here](https://www.instagram.com/salserosfriends/). **This event will take place in the foyer of The Southbank Centre.** You can find us by looking out for: * A tote bag with WRITE CLUB sewn onto it * My T-Shirt, which will have HANGING OUT embroidered on the back of it * A big red flag with THE SUNRISE CLUB emblazoned on it (though this clearly isn't THE SUNRISE CLUB! If you want to find out about that, you can do so [here](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/).) * Other writers - who may be spread out across the centre. They will have white pieces of paper with the WRITE CLUB stamp at the top of the page. There are plenty of places to buy refreshments, but you can also bring your own if you prefer. [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BpMwnRev0H237KMx4uPnek) [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/experimentsingroupwisdom) [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) Looking forward to meeting and writing with you :-) Bonny

SCIENTOLOGY **TOOLS** **FOR LIFE** What if you had simple tools which you could use to improve your relationship with others? What if a step-by-step procedure could help you achieve your goals in life? What if you could learn the secret to mastering any subject you wanted to master? Come and find out!

\#\#\#\# Step 1: TAKE THE TEST The Oxford Capacity Analysis identifies 10 vital personality traits that influence your entire future. It is a factual, scientific analysis taken from your answers, and it takes about an hour to complete. \#\#\#\# Step 2: GET YOUR RESULTS After you complete the test, your personality analysis is generated and displayed. Within minutes your analysis will highlight your strengths and weaknesses—which personality traits to take advantage of and which need help. \#\#\#\# Step 3: CONSULTATION While the analysis graph shows distinct personality traits, it is the interrelationship of these traits that provides the greater picture of your personality. We provide a complimentary consultation with one of our trained staff, who will give a detailed evaluation of your personality analysis. In this one-on-one consultation, you gain a better understanding of your personality strengths and weaknesses, and establish the recommended path to your fast and lasting success.

**Matthew 22:39 ❤️** “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Do you identify as **LGBTQIA+** and find yourself carrying doubt, shame, or hurt because of religion? Are you curious about reconnecting with your faith—or exploring it in a new way? If so, you’re invited to join a queer Bible study centered on **rediscovering God’s word through *love***. **This space is rooted in the belief that Christ’s love is for everyone.** Despite what many have been taught or made to feel, your identity does not disqualify you from faith—it is part of your story, and you are worthy of love, belonging, and grace. For a long time, I struggled with confusion, frustration, and even resentment toward religion. I asked God why I was made the way I am, wondering if that meant I was somehow wrong. Over time, I came to realize that the hurt I carried didn’t come from God—it came from human misunderstanding, systemic bias, and teachings that strayed from love. Through reflection and growth, my faith has become something different: something rooted in compassion, inclusion, and love for all people—myself included. **Logistics:** • 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month\* • Location: Library or apartment\*\* • 60–90 minutes of reading and discussion\*\*\* \* Frequency can increase if a consistent group forms \*\* In-person gatherings at my apartment's lounge if the group is comfortable \*\*\* Agenda shared in advance **If this resonates with you, you are welcome here. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️**

Finally, a young adult group that includes ages 25+ This is a brand new small group! We will be studying the sermon on the mount 🤗

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Spring Social** **Community, Connections, and Coffee** **Wednesday\, April 22 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a special **1 Million Cups Loudoun Spring Social** — a morning dedicated to what makes this community so powerful: **connection**. ## **About the Event** This gathering is all about slowing down, stepping away from presentations, and creating space for meaningful conversations. Whether you’re a longtime member or joining us for the first time, this is your opportunity to: * Build new relationships * Reconnect with familiar faces * Share ideas and experiences * Strengthen your network in a relaxed, welcoming environment No presentations. No pressure. Just community, connection, and coffee. ## **What to Expect** * Open networking with fellow entrepreneurs and professionals * Intentional conversations that go beyond surface-level connections * A welcoming environment for both new and returning attendees * A chance to continue relationships beyond the meeting Enjoy a **light breakfast sponsored by E.L. Strategic** as you connect with others who are building, growing, and navigating business alongside you. ## **Why Attend?** At 1 Million Cups, we believe businesses grow through relationships. This Spring Social is designed to strengthen those connections and create space for collaboration, support, and shared momentum. ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **April 22** for a morning that reminds us why showing up matters. We look forward to seeing you there.

Hello Everybody! Join us this Saturday at 11 AM at the Fairfax Wegmans as we continue our Bible study and discussions. Recently, we've been studying the "types" (patterns or pictures) of Jesus in the Old Testament in chronological order starting with creation. We will go all the way to David as a type of Jesus the King. As anyone who's attended before knows, we have open discussions. Our goal is always to grow in our love, knowledge, and relationship with Jesus and to have fellowship. We invite the presence of the Holy Spirit as we meet together and we've had some great conversations and revelations. Please join us as we continue our Bible study and prayers. God bless you all, Mihail

Join us for another session of our study group as we continue our coverage of the book Domain-Specific Small Language Models. In this session, we will attempt to cover Chapters 9 on "Advanced Quantization Techniques" and Chapter 10, on "Profiling Insights" to understand resource utilization by an SLM. This isn't just a lecture! Come ready to ask questions, share insights, and code along. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this is the perfect opportunity to continue to learn together. If you plan to work with the code on your own laptop during the session, try and download the code from here https://github.com/virtualramblas/Domain-Specific-Small-Language-Models ahead of time.

10:00 AM - Meet & Create UPDATE: We’ll start at the studio with networking and then go on a FIELD TRIP to Ace photo for their Customer Appreciation Day (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y2jVscqSNsAhLL8E8?g_st=i&utm_campaign=ac-im) 12noon - Lunch + Networking After the field trip, we’ll head to a local restaurant for lunch and continued networking and conversation.

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)