History

Copied from https://exhibitions.nlb.gov.sg/thealbatrossfile/about/ "Revisit the moments that led to Singapore's separation from Malaysia – in the footsteps of our founding leaders. *The Albatross File: Singapore's Independence Declassified* exhibition takes you behind closed doors, into the complex journey from merger to separation. Based on the book *The Albatross File: Inside Separation* and supplemented by newly declassified documents and oral history accounts, explore the uncertainty, conviction, and tensions that defined 1963 to 1965, leading to the birth of an independent Singapore." **Tickets**: Book your own free ticket here [https://thealbatrossfile.nlb.gov.sg/book](https://thealbatrossfile.nlb.gov.sg/book) **Meeting Point**: National Library Singapore, Level 1 lobby, **Adress:** 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064 **Meeting Time**: 5.00 pm **Tentative Plan:** 1.5 hrs of free and easy at the exhibition followed by optional dinner and chat. **Late Comers:** Find us using the Live Locator in the Telegram Channel\*. **Total walking distance**: About 0.5 km **Total exploration time:** about 1.5hrs **Optional Dinner and Chat**: about 1hr at some budget friendly place nearby, eg Brash Basah complex foodcourt **\*Telegram Channel:** Join [Walk, Chat, Explore SG](https://t.me/+rIuiiEM9j6oyNzI1) [https://t.me/+rIuiiEM9j6oyNzI1](https://t.me/+rIuiiEM9j6oyNzI1) **for updates. The Live Locator will be posted there.**

Copied from [https://exhibitions.nlb.gov.sg/thealbatrossfile/about/](https://exhibitions.nlb.gov.sg/thealbatrossfile/about/) "Revisit the moments that led to Singapore's separation from Malaysia – in the footsteps of our founding leaders. *The Albatross File: Singapore's Independence Declassified* exhibition takes you behind closed doors, into the complex journey from merger to separation. Based on the book *The Albatross File: Inside Separation* and supplemented by newly declassified documents and oral history accounts, explore the uncertainty, conviction, and tensions that defined 1963 to 1965, leading to the birth of an independent Singapore." **Tickets**: Book your own free ticket here [https://thealbatrossfile.nlb.gov.sg/book](https://thealbatrossfile.nlb.gov.sg/book) **Meeting Point**: National Library Singapore, Level 1 lobby, **Adress:** 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064 **Meeting Time**: 5.00 pm **Tentative Plan:** 1.5 hrs of free and easy at the exhibition followed by optional dinner and chat. **Late Comers:** Find us using the Live Locator in the Telegram Channel\*. **Total walking distance**: About 0.5 km **Total exploration time:** about 1.5hrs **Optional Dinner and Chat**: about 1hr at some budget friendly place nearby, eg Brash Basah complex foodcourt **\*Telegram Channel:** Join [Walk, Chat, Explore SG](https://t.me/+rIuiiEM9j6oyNzI1) [https://t.me/+rIuiiEM9j6oyNzI1](https://t.me/+rIuiiEM9j6oyNzI1) **for updates. The Live Locator will be posted there.**

Hello Leader-Readers In collaboration with Book Lovers Club, we are exploring “The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal”. We’re often taught that stress is harmful and best avoided, but The Upside of Stress aims to prove otherwise. Kelly McGonigal argues that stress isn’t the enemy it’s typically made out to be—rather, it’s an ally we should embrace. Registration for the upcoming session is available at this link: https://nlb.libcal.com/event/5906033 Registration is through myLibrary ID, do have it ready before proceeding with registration. * As slots are limited, please be considerate - attend the slot you have signed up for and be punctual!. Cheers, SG Self-Development Book Club

Step into Kreta Ayer, the cultural heart of Chinatown, where heritage shophouses and stories of old Singapore line every street. Wander through hidden back alleys brought to life by local artist Yip Yew Chong’s murals, depicting scenes of family life, bustling markets, traditional trades, and long-standing businesses that continue to thrive today. Along the way, uncover the fascinating stories behind Chinatown’s street names and visit Ann Siang Hill Park, home to Chinatown’s last surviving 19th-century water well—a rare reminder of the neighbourhood’s early days. No Singapore experience is complete without a visit to a hawker centre. Discover the vibrant flavours of our UNESCO-recognised hawker culture and find out why Singapore’s street food scene has captured global attention. **Includes:** - Guided Tour by Licensed Singapore Tourist Guide (English Speaking) - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (outside visit) - Sri Mariamman Temple (outside visit) - Wall Murals in Back Alleys of Chinatown - Club Street - Ann Siang Hill Park - Maxwell Hawker Centre **Pay What You Feel:** - There's no upfront fee and no fixed fee for this tour; you decide what to tip the guide at the end based on what you felt the experience was worth. Most people give an amount that reflects a couple of hours of someone's expertise and time. Bring along Singapore dollars in cash since that's the simplest way to handle tips. **Things to Note:** - Please come in comfortable walking shoes as the walk includes some steps and up/down slopes. This tour is not suitable for individuals with reduced mobility. - Bring along water, an umbrella, cap/ sunshades. If you plan to grab some drinks/ light bites at the hawker centre, please bring along some local currency. - Vist to temple refers to an outside visit only. Entry to the temple is not included in this walking tour. - This tour will start and end at Maxwell MRT Station. - If you won't be able to attend the tour after booking, please modify or cancel your booking to free up your spots for other interested travelers. **Disclaimer:** By participating in this walking tour, you accept any physical risks that may arise. The tour guide shall not be liable to you or your registrants for any loss or damage to property or for theft or personal injury sustained during your participation in the walking tour, or for any form of compensation whatsoever.

Welcome! Gist below! :-) 1. Bring a book to the meet! 2. Buy a drink (and a bite if you're hungry). 3. Say hi to the folks. 4. Read! 5. We'll do a short round of intros and a short sharing at the end too. :) Come in and find us (we're probably the only reading group)! In the event that the place is full, we'll find a back up nearby. :-) This is a limited seats, small group event, so do try to update your RSVP early if your plans change! Thanks in advance! Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC21) - Exit B

**For ages 18 and above.** This class is for those who already know the rules and are ready to take their game to the next level. We’ll dive into fundamental strategies and essential tactics to sharpen your decision-making, improve board vision, and enhance your overall gameplay. Through practical exercises, pattern recognition drills, and real-game applications, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of key tactical themes like forks and pins. Whether you’re looking to outplay your friends, compete in tournaments, or simply refine your skills, this class will help you build a strong foundation for long-term improvement. **Topics covered:** **Week 1:** Opening Principles **Week 2:** Double Attack **Week 3:** Pins **Week 4:** Checkmate Patterns ### **Address** 39 Jln Pemimpin, #01-05, Singapore 577182 ### **Schedule** Saturdays 630PM - 830PM ### **Booking Information** * Please contact **98225900** to find out how to book this class. * The instructor will reach out to you once you've booked the class.

**Who we are?** Listening Hearts is a safe and caring space where people can pause, reflect, and share life’s journey together. We believe every heart longs for meaning, connection, and encouragement. Through workshops and conversations, we explore topics that matter — from everyday challenges to deeper questions about life and faith — in a way that is open to both Christians and seekers. **Why Join?** Life can be overwhelming at times. This workshop offers a safe and supportive environment where you can: \- Share your story \(only if you wish\) \- Learn simple tools to cope with stress and challenges \- Receive encouragement and practical support \- Connect with others who care **Who is this for?** \- Anyone seeking encouragement\, healing\, or practical coping tools\. \- Open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs\. **What to Expect?** \- Respectful\, inclusive space \- No pressure to share beyond your comfort level \- Gentle activities\, practical takeaways\, and supportive conversations

**For ages 8 and above.** These 3 traditional martial art forms will be taught during the 2 hour class: * Kalaripayattu * Silambattam * Adimurai **About Kalaripayattu** Thought to be one of the most ancient martial arts in recorded history, Kalaripayattu is derived from two words, “Kalari” signifying battlefield or arena and “payattu” which translates to the words ‘practice’ and ‘exercise’. **About Silambattam** Hailing from the region of Tamil Nadu (India) where it emerged around 1000 BCE, Silamabattam is a popular variant of weapon-based martial arts which is performed with the aid of specific weapons, primarily Rattan staffs, short sticks, deer horns and swords. **About Adimurai** Adimurai is a generic term applied for the indigenous martial arts of the Indian/Tamilian archipelago. Adimurai in general refers to the sport of using techniques derived from Indian and Tamil martial-arts. It uses kicks and boxing-mannered punches to defeat an opponent in ways that are analogous to standard present-day boxing. The manipulation of joints as well as certain locking techniques also form the basis of Adimurai. ### **Address** 448 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218138 ### **Schedule** Sundays 2PM - 4PM ### **Booking Information** * Please contact **98225900** to find out how to book this class. * The instructor will reach out to you once you've booked the class.

🏛️ **WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 📓 **HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! 💛 **WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 20 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dsjl0cwLVxR4tw1jTC1Osx?mode=gi_t) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

Welcome! Gist below! :-) 1. Bring a book to the meet! 1. Buy a drink (and a bite if you're hungry). 1. Say hi to the folks. 1. Read! 1. We'll do a short round of intros and a short sharing at the end too. :) Come in and find us (we're probably the only reading group)! In the event that the place is full, we'll find a back up nearby. :-) This is a limited seats, small group event, so do try to update your RSVP early if your plans change! Thanks in advance! Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT (EW12 East-West Line / DT14 Downtown Line)

HV Little Library is an open community space, which means there may be other visitors as well. Do look out for Dewy, their Chief Feline Security Officer :) Let's interact organically and enjoy reading in the space. Do take care of the space while you are there! Feel free to browse the library or bring your own reads. We may also get to chat with the folks who started / maintain the library. :) See you there!

Where did political correctness and "woke" come from? At least part of the answer lies in the modern development of **Postmodernism**. This meeting will be the first of a series of discussions of the book ***Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault*, by Stephen Hicks.** For the meeting, please read (or listen to) chapter 1. This book can be found in audiobook format on YouTube, read by the author, entirely for free: [YOUTUBE LINK](https://youtu.be/qcSb6VCRoMc?si=IQYiGodxXPeOQVNg) The book is available in multiple formats on Amazon: [LINK](https://a.co/d/0h0mUD5V) Tracing postmodernism from its roots in Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant to their development in thinkers such as Michel Foucault and Richard Rorty, philosopher Stephen Hicks provides a provocative account of why postmodernism has been the most vigorous intellectual movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Why do skeptical and relativistic arguments have such power in the contemporary intellectual world? Why do they have that power in the humanities but not in the sciences? Why has a significant portion of the political Left--the same Left that traditionally promoted reason, science, equality for all, and optimism--now switched to themes of anti-reason, anti-science, double standards, and cynicism? Explaining Postmodernism is intellectual history with a polemical twist, providing fresh insights into the debates underlying the furor over political correctness, multiculturalism, and the future of liberal democracy.

Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and a cast of thousands established the first Democratic Republic in the New World, reveling in their freedom and ability to wage warfare as professional thieves. Learn about the Colonial Republic of Pirates from Ed Moore, historian and journalist, from the Maritime Museum in Newport News. Registration required. RSVPing on Meetup does not register you for the program. To register, please [click here](https://pwcgov.libnet.info/events?term=pirates&r=range&start=2026-05-19&end=2030-12-31).

…Transform Our Lives, Work, and World (2024) by Jamie Metzl, 432 pages [Genetics] • Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: [https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082](https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082) Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review “In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes readers on a magical journey through the science of the intersecting genetics, biotech, and AI revolutions, deeply explores the implications, and challenges us to think creatively and proactively about what comes next. Very few books are absolute must-reads. This is one.”―Siddhartha Mukherjee, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of The Gene: An Intimate History "During the 25 years I have known Jamie Metzl, he has always been ahead of the curve. There is no one better to help us understand and prepare for the fast-approaching technological revolutions. Superconvergence is brilliant. I can't recommend it more strongly."―Sanjay Gupta MD, bestseller author, neurosurgeon, and Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent (CNN) "Our world is defined by our science and technology—whether we like it or not. The question now is not whether to use these powers, but how best to use them. In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes us on a journey through the new capabilities that are radically transforming ecosystems inside us and around us, challenging each of us to get personally involved with building the future we want."―Beth Shapiro, University of California Santa Cruz evolutionary biologist and author of Life as We Made It: How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation Refined―and Redefined―Nature "In a fine counter-blast to the pessimism of today, Jamie Metzl lays out just how spectacular the future of humanity and planet can be if we harness innovation responsibly and imaginatively to create what he calls the 'spiral of progress.'"―Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works, and co-author of Viral: The search for the Origin of Covid-19 “A page-turning journey through space and time that shows us how our lives will be changed by imminent technological advances we once only dreamed of.”―David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To “The superconvergence of the genetics, biotechnology, and AI revolutions provides spectacular opportunities for building a better world. It also represents an almost limitless investment opportunity. We were excited to collaborate with Jamie Metzl, one of the world's great experts on how these aspirations can best be realized, including in capital markets. Superconvergence is a master class for imagining, investing in, and building a future we'd like to inhabit."―Jeremy Schwartz, Global Chief Investment Officer, WisdomTree “A clear examination of a transitional moment in the story of life on Earth…. Metzl capably describes recent developments in genetics and biotech and looks at how AI is providing an analytical engine of unprecedented power…. An important book in which the author sets out a path for the future based on his experience and expertise.”―Kirkus “Erudite, optimistic, and timely.”―Science Magazine "[In Superconvergence] Mr. Metzl has identified an important truth: that the convergence of new technologies is galvanizing us to reimagine how to meet urgent challenges in medicine and the environment. It’s a compelling opportunity—provided we manage to sidestep self-induced catastrophes along the way."―The Wall Street Journal ### About the Author Jamie Metzl is a leading technology and healthcare futurist and the founder and chair of OneShared.World. He is the author of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity and four other books and was a member of the World Health Organization expert advisory committee on human genome editing. Jamie previously served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and with the United Nations in Cambodia. His work has been featured by most major media organizations around the world, including 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Times of London, Le Monde, and Paris Match, and his podcast interviews with Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, and others have reached tens of millions of listeners. He lives in New York City. Visit Jamiemetzl.com.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Can Artificial Intelligence ‘See’?”** A look at how humans and artificial intelligence systems interpret the visual world in fundamentally different ways, with Arryn Robbins, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Richmond and cognitive scientist who researches visual attention, perception, and category learning. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see) .] Artificial intelligence can now identify faces, categorize objects, describe scenes, and outperform humans on certain visual tasks. But does AI actually “see” the world the way that people do? Or does it arrive at correct answers using representations that differ markedly from human perception? Join Arryn Robbins of the University of Richmond for a fascinating exploration of how humans and AI construct meaning from visual information and a look at comparisons between human perception and AI that reveal just how dynamic and context-dependent our own visual systems really are. Dr. Robbins, who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on flaws and biases in human visual perception, will draw from research in cognitive science, visual perception, and AI vision systems. She’ll explain how human perception is not merely a simple recording of the world, but an active process shaped by expectations, context, goals, and recent experience. You’ll learn how humans form flexible mental representations that allow us to recognize objects across changing environments and conditions, and why those representations continuously adapt as we interact with the world. Many AI systems, by contrast, learn visual categories through statistical patterns in data. They can produce impressive results, but sometimes they also produce strange and unexpected failures, and sometimes they classify images in ways that seem strange to us. Dr. Robbins will discuss what these differences reveal about the nature of perception itself, and why the mismatch between human and AI representations matters for technologies like self-driving cars, medical imaging, facial recognition, and automated surveillance. Important for anyone trying to understand the rapidly growing role of AI in daily life, this talk will explore one of the biggest questions in cognitive science and artificial intelligence: What does it actually mean to “see” and understand the world? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: “Eye Farm” by Nevit Dilmen (Wikimedia Commons).

Please arrive early (no later than 7:30) to stretch out and warm up. Wear a black jersey and bring a pair of shin guards.

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** **This dinner in particular will be very special as we celebrate America's 250th birthday. How better to honor a semiquincentennial of democracy that spending an evening practicing it?** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good conversation and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the "slice of life", to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. We are a collaboration between people of all faiths and stripes. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.