Debate

After a wonderful pilot event at HAWKINS FORGE, we’re returning right away for another thought provoking evening 💭 This time we’ll be discussing **CHARITY** by way of three original thought experiments. Hawkins Forge embodies our values: warm, welcoming, convivial, and a home to deep thinkers. I can't wait for you to join us there. The pub has boardgames and cards for the after party, and they’ve also **kindly offered us a deal on their Arrowsmiths Darts experience**: 30 minutes free for anyone who buys a drink. Spaces are limited, so get your ticket early if you want to be there 😊 **THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS** \- announced on the day of the event **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DapwAXpnOHO5DRYThobpe4)** \- stay in the loop **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what we look like \(including The People of TEiP project\) **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- sign up for the newsletter and more **The idea:** A chance to meet and talk meaningfully about thought provoking topics. **How we'll do it** (timings approximate): * 7:00pm - Arrive at Hawkins Forge. We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. * Organise ourselves into small groups (3-4) * Have a look at the **thought experiments** (announced on the day of the event) * 7:15 - First rotation begins - Talk about the first thought experiment, but feel free to pursue tangents and anecdotes. * 7:35 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the second thought experiment. * 8:00 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the third thought experiment. * 8:25pm - Wrap up - hear about upcoming events, feedback/requests for future meetups. * 8:30 Meetup ‘ends’. But feel free to carry on conversations. Usually a lot of us stay until late :-) **Notes on the general atmosphere**: * The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic. * While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough! * Feel free to suggest ideas for future Thought Experiments in Pubs meetup groups, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss. **Where we'll meet**: This group will be at Hawkins Forge, 5 minutes walk from Clapham Junction. We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. **Who should come**: Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc.... I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful location :-) If you would like to further support me & these meetups, you can do so here: [https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor](https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor) Thank you!

Meet outside Colindale Underground Station at 6.30pm. We will be welcome in a private living room 3 minutes walk from there. Godfree will take us there no later than 7.45pm. Let me remind you what we do, and insist: it may look like a public speaking workshop, but at a deeper level, it's energy work. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag9AbdmTKLI&t=20s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag9AbdmTKLI&t=20s) The atmosphere is friendly, supportive, loving, and stimulating. See you there! Jean-Marc

These fortnightly sessions are dedicated to the discussion and exploration of an idea that I, as the organiser, have planned. No prior reading or knowledge is required. For more information, please visit https://www.think-philosophy.group/about/

**🔥 Join the Beat – Samba Practice in East London! 🥁🎶** Want to brush off those winter blues as spring is (almost!) here! Something creative. fun and sociable with a friends group of people? Our inclusive and friendly Samba band welcomes everyone—whether you're a seasoned percussionist or have never touched a drum before. No experience? No problem! We provide all the instruments and will have you grooving in no time. Feel the rhythm, meet great people, and be part of an electrifying sound that moves the streets. Just bring your enthusiasm—we’ll bring the drums! Ready to make some noise? See you there! 🔥🎶 Sambattalion is an established East London based Samba Fusion Band. We have been going for over ten years and use meetup as one way to recruit new members. We play gigs in and around London and beyond. Please bring ear plugs / ear protectors. We have some but if you can please bring your own - and wear them. We are very loud. We practice every Thursday, 7.00pm-10.00pm (with a 30 minute break) In January and early February 2026 we are tailoring our weekly practices specifically with new joiners in mind, and remember no experienced required! It is £5 per session (your first session is FREE). We are entirely not-for profit. Cash only please - pay on the day.

More Infro and Sign: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-insight-to-impact-womens-health-design-jam-manchester-tickets-1982205961390?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Philosophy in the Park is a philosophical discussion group. Open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary. We will meet in the Barbican Centre on Level Minus 1. Outside The Hall. Here's how it works: * At the start of each hour vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like. The questions with the most votes are the questions we discuss. * We then break up into groups and each group does a different question. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and up end talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer you're welcome to sit back and enjoy the conversation. After an hour we all come back together, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So in 3 hours we go around 3 times. The aim is to have fun, meet new people, generate interesting and thought-provoking conversations, have your horizons expanded, challenge your preconceptions and who knows - you might even learn something? In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive for everyone as possible please follow these simple guidelines: 1. Keep it Philosophical (No Science, no History, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, personal anecdotes etc). 2. Think for Yourself (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read). 3. Tangents are Cool (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question). 4. Keep it Succinct (Like this). 5. Be Excellent to Each Other (But of course). Philosophy is about conceptual analysis. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the real world. It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas. To terms of the right attitude: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding. No homework or prior knowledge or reading is necessary - simply come and enjoy the discussions. After the event finishes we have an area reserved in The Shakespeare pub which is just around the corner from the Barbican. You are very welcome to join us if you'd like. If you would like to submit a question please join the Whatsapp group. Question submissions take place on the Thursday before the meeting. We hope to see you there. Nice one. ... To join the Philosophy in the Park WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK) (in order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name and we will join you to the main chat). If the link doesn't work then please send me a message with your phone number and I can add you directly. Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective)

We have reserved the Chicester Room in ther pub for us . Please ask for Philosophy cafe at the door and they will direct you . We like to break into small groups and have a healthy discussion about life , philosophy and ideas . We break out into groups of 6 to discuss three questions over 45min to 1 hour; and then spend another 45min feeding back into the main group. The three topics are chosen on the day by vote, and largely derived from suggestions on the day. We welcome new ideas , so please come up with suggestions or topics that you want to talk about . There is no specific topic list and you do not need to read or know anything particular about philosophy . The official time is 7-9: 30 pm , but we usually go into a pub mode after 9:30 pm and continue our discusssions.

Ready to think clearer, reason better, and express with clarity? Join us for a practical wholesome philosophy practice where we learn essential thinking skills through hands-on group practice. Leave academics and theory at the door— this is a skills-building adventure for everyday life! ✨ This event's focus: **Constructing Your Position** 🎯a part of the Wholesome Philosophy series — that help you build a complete thinking toolkit. **See below** **Why should you sign up?** ✅ Practical toolkit you can use immediately ✅ Small group practice ✅ Private, quiet venue for focus ✅ Standalone session - Previous parts help, but not required **What is Wholesome Philosophy?** Practical philosophy for everyday life - helping you build useful skills for thinking clearer and communicating better in work, relationships, and daily conversations. You'll learn through pair work, and group practice. spread across **different sessions:** * **Clear Thinking & Better Arguments** — How to reason * **Develop Thinking Habits** — Spotting biases and fallacies * **The Art of Dialogue** — Having productive disagreements * **Constructing Your Position** — Building solid viewpoints * **Decision-Making Frameworks** — Choosing wisely under uncertainty * **Self-Examination & Growth** — Questioning your own beliefs Each session works standalone — attend one, some, or all. ***Want to join all?*** Speak to the facilitator about discounted pricing for the full series ✅ **Who is it for?** * You want to think clearer and communicate better * You feel frustrated when your point doesn't land * You want to spot weak reasoning (including your own) * You enjoy learning through practice, not just theory * You crave thoughtful conversation with curious people * You want practical tools you can use tomorrow No philosophy background needed — just show up ready to practice. **What's in it for you?** * Make your points stick (without fighting) * Think more clearly about any topic even complex ones * Have disagreements that don't turn into arguments * Understand the world better * Connect with curious, thoughtful people ✨ * Gain confidence in your reasoning abilities **How does it work?** * Facilitated practice session (2 hours) with structured exercises ⏱ * Small group discussions (4-6 people) * Pair work for hands-on practice * Individual reflection moments * Whole group sharing (optional, not required) Everything is timed and guided — you'll know exactly what to do at each stage **What to expect** Collaborative discovery, without competitive learning. Practicing together, without performing for each other. What happens in the room stays in the room. * **Depth**: Beyond small talk, but it's not therapy — we're developing thinking skills * **Safety**: Wholesome Agreement principles apply — respect, curiosity, no judgment * **Practical**: You'll leave with tools, not just concepts — things you can actually use the next day ️ * **Participation**: These are practice sessions — your active participation creates the learning environment **Ready to upgrade your thinking skills?** Join us for a Wholesome Philosophy practice session and walk away with various thinking tools — it's for anyone who wants to navigate life with a sharper, kinder mind. We really hope to see you there! **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80)

You know your Sun sign, you may also know your ascendant, your moon sign and maybe you're familiar with your whole birth chart. What do you know about your evolutionary path? Let's have a look at the broad lines of your life story: where you're coming from, where you're going, what you feel called to cultivate or achieve... I'll be sitting downstairs in West Hampstead Costa Coffee. Get your birth chart on your phone - or in print - on astro.com. It will be a relaxed group chat. You don't have to be knowledgeable to attend. About me: I am a modern, psychological and evolutionary astrologer. I've written a book called Magical Doors - The symbols of astrology. My website is [https://www.jeanmarcpierson.com/](https://www.jeanmarcpierson.com/) I'll be happy to meet you over coffee on Saturday afternoon

'A sane person to an insane society must appear insane.' - Kurt Vonnegut 'Insanity is the only sane reaction to an insane society.' - Thomas Szasz 'Madness is a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.' - R. D. Laing Imagine if everyone in the world except you suddenly got antisocial personality disorder or some other. Committing crimes and manipulating people became the new normal. You try to fit in but you can't help but feel bad every time you manipulate someone. How long would you last in such a world? What if people with personality disorders just have different personalities? Why is it that some people with personality disorders don't think there's anything wrong with them? Have you been diagnosed with a personality disorder or some other mental condition? Is everyone urging you to change even though you feel like there's nothing wrong with you and everyone else is in the wrong? Does therapy just feel like gaslighting? Then let's talk about the philosophy behind personality disorders.

**GAMES NIGHT** \- A curated selection of board games with a twist and a Traitors styles special event planned for the evening Interested in meeting like-minded people, enjoying conversations and **FINDING THE TRAITOR** (in a board game!) Then come along for a curated evening of hidden identity and social deduction games, and get ready to accuse your friends in a night of detective work and betrayal. With a selection of games included but not limited to: * Resistance * Trial by Trolley * Coup * Code Names Each game will be hosted by our resident games geeks who will get you up to speed on how to play and answer any questions you may have. If your appetite for social deduction is not sated by these incredible games then come along for the nights main event: **Blood on the Clocktower** (think TVs Traitors but done in one session!). Imagine a streamlined, improved version, that keeps everyone playing from start to finish. Hidden among the players is one murderer who each night kills one of the townsfolk. Come morning they must debate and decide on who they believe the murderer is. Do you have what it takes navigate the web of deceit and imperfect information and root out the murderer? Come along, join the community and get involved! **Venue** Our venues serve drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks) as well as brilliant food. All can be ordered from the bar **Do not bring external food or drink into our venues you will be asked to throw it away or to finish it outside. - This is a venue rule which we need to follow.**

**Looking at how debates work, when they're most appropriate, and where to start if you are preparing to speak in one for the first time.** This workshop will provide an overview of the **3Ps** * Philosophy * Position and some basic techniques for combining them to build a case in defence of your position. The day will begin with a masterclass, in which you will be broken up into small groups to work on a series of exercises, so you can get comfortable speaking in front of each other before you are asked to speak in front of the rest of the room. No one will be required to speak in front of the room until they feel ready to do so. After lunch will be dedicated to a mock debate, which will serve as a rehearsal for the upcoming public debate on the same topic. Members can volunteer to be on the panel for these debates a week in advance when the topic is announced, but everyone can take part by questioning the speakers, making speeches of their own, and offering feedback. **All participants will receive a paper handout on arrival.** **All you will need to bring with you is something to write with.** **[Meet Your Coaches](https://www.debate.london/coaches "https://www.debate.london/coaches")** Debate London's Coaching team brings together 6 of the greatest debaters from across the UK and the USA with a combined experience of over a century in debating. Wether that is leading on the debate competition circuit, judging debates across university & professional levels or running debate training organisations to develop the next generation of debaters our team will give you the skills you need to debate with the best of them **Venue** Food and drink available at the venue and a lunchbreak is scheduled within the workshop. **Please do not bring external food or drink into the venue you WILL be asked to throw it away.**

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. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Our March speakers are Molly Gaines and Zack Parrish, co-organizers of the Secular Education Association: They will share their story of how a small group of Ohio parents grew into a national organization tracking released-time religious instruction and other church–state issues in public schools. The presentation will cover SEA’s early wins and hard lessons, what we’re seeing nationally right now, and how local advocates can play a meaningful role in protecting public education. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape — and practical ways to get involved. 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

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

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

Inspired by our successful events like "Saturday Mornings @ East Market" and other "Pot Luck in the Park" lunches, this gathering promises to be a blend of fun conversations, language exchange, and cultural insights, all while sharing wonderful foods with each other. Please bring a dish to share and anything you would like to drink. We will provide plates, plastic silverware and napkins. So, come hungry and ready to chat!