Intellectual Discussions

***I am Camden Bassett, I run Veins of London a group for deep conversation, making friends, discussing philosophy, (good) music, art, poetry, experiences, etc*** ***We are going to be meeting beneath the black gazebos in Ely’s Yard at the end of the Dray Walk. Our session will be on the philosophy of Art.*** ***18:30 - 20:30 is the club time, but people can and will stay longer for more chatting, and to talk about other groups for you to join.*** ***For updates, conversation and our whereabouts on the day check the*** [WhatsApp.](https://chat.whatsapp.com/I7MptUmo7hLJzFof4Un0DQ?mode=gi_t)

Our monthly pub evenings are always a great opportunity to meet interesting people, chat, do a little networking, and enjoy a fun evening out. Whether you’re new to Humanism or already a member, this is a fantastic space for anyone who is non-religious, questioning their beliefs, or open-minded and looking to mingle. **Time: From 6pm** Feel free to join us whenever you’re able to – we’re often there until closing time. **Venue: Somers Town Coffee House** A lovely pub, close to Euston & Kings Cross stations. You’ll find us towards the back of the pub, on the left of the bar – look out for the Humanist signs on the tables. **What we talk about:** The conversations are different every time – from current events to humanism and secularism, with plenty of good laughs in between! If there’s something specific you’d like to talk about, we’d love to hear about it. We kindly request a contribution of £3 for our events to help cover various admin costs - but first-timers are welcome to give us a free trial. If you prefer you can also pay online by [clicking here](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML71XMH66FX5E/checkout/ALWCDLQ3S7AVPLFZ62PZGXLU). We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information at our events but ask people to keep their interactions cordial. Any views expressed are those of the individual sharing them and may not reflect those of CLH. More about the venue: All indoor facilities are wheelchair-friendly/accessible. Free Wi-fi is available. It’s easy to reach – close to Euston and Kings Cross stations, and on 18 different bus routes! View a map [here](https://g.page/Somerstowncoffeehouse?share) More about Humanism: https://www.centrallondonhumanists.org.uk/about-humanism/ We look forward to seeing you!

The International Cafe is a warm, welcoming space where people from all backgrounds come together to make friends, practice English, and have fun in a relaxed setting. Whether you're new to the area or just looking to connect, it’s a great place to meet people, share cultures, and enjoy conversation, games, and activities. come join our friendly international community!

Welcome to our regular club night session for intermediate level players and above! Sessions cost £10 for Members, and £11 for Non-Members; please contact an organiser to discuss becoming a Member. Session are held at: Twyford Sports Centre Twyford Crescent Acton W3 9PP We have 3 courts from 8pm to 10pm. Only high quality feather shuttlecocks are used. Shower/change room facilities are available. A water fountains is available outside the venue, though we recommend bringing your own water in case it is not available. We sometimes head to the local pub (The Red Lion & Pineapple) after the session, and all are welcome to join. **Payment Information** We accept either cash or bank transfer payment using the details below: Amount (Adults): £10 (Members) / £11 (Non-Members) Amount (Juniors): £6 (must be accompanied by adult) Acc Name: The Addison Exiles Badminton Club Acc No: 50229160 Sort Code: 30-90-89 Reference: Your Name **RSVPs** Each session has 18 places, and a waitlist is available. Please be conscientious of players on the waitlist and change your RSVP if you can no longer attend. No shows will be charged in full. We reserve the right to turn away anyone who has previously not turned up and hasn’t paid. If you’re signing up to a session for the first time, please note that a committee member will assess your playing level and make a recommendation for future sessions. **Directions** Free parking is available on site, behind the main building. Bus options: 207, 218 Nearest National Rail Station: Acton Central Nearest Tube Station: Acton Town / Ealing Common We look forward to seeing you at the session!

**THE NARROW WAY** **A CALL TO REAL MEN** **An evening of strategy, solutions, and brotherhood** **Men, you are invited to step in, sit down, and be counted. This isn’t a meeting — it’s a gathering of men who want to think clearly, fight well, and walk faithfully together.** **WHAT THE NIGHT HOLDS** **• Strategy & Planning — thinking ahead together as men with a mission** **• Real Solutions to Real Problems — honest talk about the battles men actually face** **• Friendship, Fun & Faith — good company, laughter, and grounding it all in Christ** **DETAILS** **When: Tonight — Wednesday 17 June, 6:30pm** **Where: The Stowe Centre, London** **Who: Every man — believers, sceptics, and seekers alike** **Bring a mate. Bring your questions. Come as you are.** **FIND US & STAY CONNECTED** **Meetup · WordPress · WhatsApp** **Facebook · Instagram · TikTok · Threads**

**Join our monthly men's sauna + circle at Hackney Wick Community Sauna Baths.** We meet at the Sauna reception at the back of the Bath House. **Schedule** * 6-7pm Sauna + cold plunge * 7-7.15 Change * 7.15 Meet at the cafe, grab a snack if needed * 7.30 Move to the circle venue (5 mins walk) * 7:40 Sharing circle starts * 9.40 Sharing circle ends **⭕ What is a sharing circle?** In this 2 hour session, you will join a men-only space focusing on personal development, social connection and emotional growth. This is led by a professional facilitator and is in confidence, without interruption or advice. It’s an invitation to talk through your personal development edges, listen to other men do the same, and work through them together, as a team. **🔒 Circle Agreements**: * Sobriety * Confidentiality * Non-judgement * Honesty * Presence * All emotions welcome * Compassion **Benefits** * 🔥 All the **health** benefits of a sauna * 🧠 Train your **emotional intelligence** \- to understand yourself and others\. * 🏋️ Strengthen **mental** **fitness** \- to regulate yourself and build your tolerance\. * 👂 Practise **authenticity** and **communication** \- to improve your relationships\. * 🌍 Belong to a **social** **community** \- for **motivation** and **accountability**. * ♂️ Meet and **socialise** with like-minded men in London. 🎟️ **Tickets** *YOU MUST BUY A TICKET BEFORE ATTENDING* £40 [Grab your ticket here](https://form.typeform.com/to/n4a7od7z) We typically attract between 15-24 attendees per event, most tickets are sold directly from within the WhatsApp community so if there are no/few people RSVPd on this event, it does not mean people are not attending - there is always a base of around 10 spots that go instantly in the WhatsApp group. **📱 WhatsApp Community** Once you've bought a ticket, you will be invited into the WhatsApp group for the monthly event and our wider personal development community.

When people know they are being watched, by governments, corporations, or even those closest to them, something shifts. They begin to self-censor, to soften their opinions, to avoid behaviors that might invite judgment. Gradually, the performance becomes the person. What starts as caution hardens into habit, and habit reshapes identity. Without privacy, people are not acting from genuine values or beliefs. They are playing to an audience they can never fully see. A society built on constant surveillance may appear orderly on the surface, but beneath that order lies something quieter and more corrosive: anxiety, conformity, and the slow erosion of the self. When we lose the ability to exist unobserved, we lose something essential about what it means to be free. Is privacy a right, or is it a luxury? Can you freely think if you know someone is watching? Would you trade your privacy for safety? Here is a video you may like: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JWIhJG5Xw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JWIhJG5Xw) *Please do your own research and share resources related to this topic in the comments below.* —————————————————————————————— **💛 Support The Examined Life** Enjoying the discussions? Please consider donating, it keeps us running. 👉 Donate here: [https://examinedlife.uk/donation/](https://examinedlife.uk/donation/) —————————————————————————————— **Join our Telegram group chat** Stay connected between sessions: [https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk](https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk) —————————————————————————————— **About the session** The Examined Life "Let's Discuss…" session is an open, welcoming discussion, no prior reading or expertise required. Format: * **13:15** Free-flowing group discussion on the topic * **14:00 (ish)** We split into smaller groups for deeper conversation on what interests you most * **16:00** Official end of the meetup. Most attendees stay on and keep chatting until around 18:00 —————————————————————————————— **Please RSVP accurately** Please update your RSVP if plans change, it helps us plan and frees up spots for others. —————————————————————————————— **Artwork:** The False Mirror 1929 by René Magritte

Come n chat all things US at American bar with plenty of authetic US drinks, burgers and fries to fuel the conversation. For those interested in Politics - we can also delve into the Prisdency whilst I do my best impersonation of the great founding father himself - G W. Donald Trump is constantly in the news with his wild antics but does his behaviour reflects genuine misunderstanding or a deliberate performance. Is his improvisational style and headline‑generating remarks simply reflect lack of preparation or is the unpredictability is intentional — a kind of political jazz improvisation designed to keep everyone else playing catch‑up. These disagreements often spill into discussions about how presidents shape public understanding of the U.S. Constitution, especially the parts about checks, balances, and who is supposed to do what without stepping on anyone else’s toes. Trump’s style is in stark contrast with earlier presidents. Over the years I spent studying and writing about American goverment - a few things were clear. **Obama** was a constitutional law professor who actually sounded just like one. Bill **Clinton** the policy explainer‑in‑chief, was capable of turning a simple question into a 40‑minute seminar. Ronald **Reagan**, meanwhile was the great Hollywood storyteller who could make democratic concepts sound like the opening narration of a feel‑good box office toping blockbuster. Perceived by many as a stupid film actor but the Berlin wall along with the USSR could still exist today without his audacious negotiating style that helped to secure personal and economic freedom for millions across Eastern Europe and the baltic states. These comparisons highlight how Trump’s blunt, rapid‑fire, often at times nonsensical approach breaks sharply from earlier rhetorical traditions. But there's a broader life lesson that any wise peron wil recognise: never judge a book by its cover, especially when the “cover” is a public persona crafted for cameras, crowds, and the occasional dramatic pause. In real life, people rarely reveal their true full selves at first glance. It usually takes time before the polished surface, the chaotic exterior, or the carefully curated image gives way to the real person - good or bad underneath. To further confound this mind fuck - the end observers bring their own assumptions and baises to the table, sometimes confusing their mere perceptions and confirmation biases burried deep in their sub conscious with truth, and mistaking manipulation performance for personality or vice versa. Here in the UK, our very own hate him or love him **Boris Johnson** is worthy of mention. Even before his political career started - his public personal had always led into theatrical chaos yet anyone who has personally met and spent more than a few mins with him behind cameras knows it's a huge great act and he is far more intellectual and talented than people could ever fathom. Compared to the current breed of mediocre MPs - he is a mordern day intellectual heavyweight naturally skilled as both a orator and animated debator. A stark contrast to the boring robotic charisma lacking Starmer who reads everything off a script. Boris represents a good example of how public performance and private capability often diverge dramatically — a reminder that political communication is often as much stagecraft as statecraft. Supporters of Trump sometimes argue that unconventional presentation can mask strategic intent, while critics interpret the same behaviour as inconsistency and stupidness. The ongoing debate highlights how modern audiences navigate the blurry line between authenticity, performance, and constitutional responsibility — all while trying to decide whether the show they’re watching is improvisation, method acting, or something in between. You don't have to have a background in political science or work in govt/politics but you need to be exceptionally very well informed and know what u are talking about! Those with an interest in policy research and strategy formulation in pursuant of improving the country and peoples' lives based on grounded real-world evidence instead of dogmatic ideology very welcome As for me: what u see is what u get, nothin more and nothin less The real-life idiot Lucas

We will meet at Richmond station on July 5th at 11:30 for a 12pm start. The session for July 5th is going to be a bit different. We will meet in Richmond and go for a walk in Richmond Park while using the menus of conversation. I am going to try more events outside and in nature. I have started drawing event posters and will draw another poster for next month. I would love it if you would be so kind as to check them out now on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/menusofconversation/ **Price** The event is a pay what you can event. You can tip whatever you think has been a fair price for your event experience. The suggested tip is a minimum of £4-5. You can pay with cash or card on the night. PS, if you've been before, please take a minute to complete my survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZSZD88 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menusofconversation/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/New-Conversation-104308482323373 **Event Description** This is a social event where people have the chance to have a one-to-one conversation with someone they may or may not have met before using a 'conversation menu' (picture attached). A conversation menu is a list of pre-written conversation starter questions which participants use to have a conversation by discussing the different questions. The questions are generally about some of life's big questions and lead to some interesting conversations about important, fundamental topics which we certainly don't get the opportunity to discuss every day. Some might consider our events to be 'small-talk free zones'. The event brings people together and invites people to discuss topics and answer questions they don't get to discuss on a daily basis, especially with people they don't know. The idea is that the more we talk about topics we don't normally talk about, to people we don't normally talk to in our habitual social circles, the more opportunities, connections and possibilities we create for ourselves. If we discuss different topics with different people, then we achieve different results. Testimonials for the events held so far include: 'For me it was a brilliant success and hopefully it will be for many others. It is a simple idea simply executed, asking people to pair up and discuss a number of questions on a list. And it works! Although I vaguely knew my partner, the questions allowed us time to touch on areas that I think we would have been otherwise unlikely to ever discuss e.g. which parts of your life have been a waste of time?' 'Surprisingly good and thoroughly worthwhile. Suggested questions excellent.' ‘I can heartily recommend coming along to a conversation event. The questions were really thought provoking and led to some fascinating conversations. I really enjoyed the evening and I came away with feeling I’d learned a lot from my conversation partner.” ‘I thought it was a very interesting meeting. I thought it was interesting to try to answer personal questions and listen to the other person.’

This week we will be delving into a real hot topic of the modern moment: immigration. Often, it is viewed as a black and white social issue, drawing a deep chasm between left and right, but is that really the true story? Crime, lack of housing, lack of jobs, strain on the NHS and benefits: What really are the impacts of immigration on our towns and communities? Economic theory is generally positive on migration, pointing towards increased GDP, employment and overall growth. However, many blame immigrants for various social ills. One of the important questions of this discussion could be: do those people have any point at all? Are the broad effects of migration the full story? Can the overall increases in GDP and employment rate really speak for migration on the whole? This promises to be a spicy one. Your reading materials are below the following starter questions for 10: 1. What do we mean by "migration"? Who are “migrants”? 2. Who benefits from migration, and in what ways? 3. What challenges, if any, do you think are caused by migration? 4. What is integration, and what aims should we have, if any, for the integration of migrants into our society? This week, we have no singular article to draw upon. Rather, a summary sheet has been pulled together from a few sources: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lltuwyfxfTJvEy861LzlZK_kuzEbL8rdSGbfsMDwiEI/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lltuwyfxfTJvEy861LzlZK_kuzEbL8rdSGbfsMDwiEI/edit?usp=sharing) This is from where we shall draw our discussion. Extra to the sources in the summary are the following: [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-payrolled-employments-by-nationality-region-industry-age-and-sex-from-july-2014-to-december-2025/uk-payrolled-employments-by-nationality-region-industry-age-and-sex-from-july-2014-to-december-2025#payrolled-employments-by-nationality-and-age-group](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-payrolled-employments-by-nationality-region-industry-age-and-sex-from-july-2014-to-december-2025/uk-payrolled-employments-by-nationality-region-industry-age-and-sex-from-july-2014-to-december-2025#payrolled-employments-by-nationality-and-age-group) This is a release from the government on changes to numbers on payroll by various slices to citizenship categories.. [https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/bulletins/longterminternationalmigrationprovisional/yearendingdecember2025](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/bulletins/longterminternationalmigrationprovisional/yearendingdecember2025) The latest Office for National Statistics bulletin on migration, discussing the provisional figures for 2025. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7590fee5274a545822c836/occ109.pdf](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7590fee5274a545822c836/occ109.pdf) Paper from 2014 on the topic of migration, seems to suggest that growing economies can absorb migrants easily, but recessed ones mightn’t be able to.

🌿 Hyde Park Summer Singles Picnic & Sunset Walk \| Ages 25–46 Looking to meet like-minded single professionals in a relaxed, natural setting? Skip the noisy bars and awkward speed dating. Join us for a summer evening in the heart of Hyde Park, where great conversations happen organically. We'll meet outside Serpentine Bar & Kitchen before settling on the grass for a casual picnic, followed by a scenic walk around the Serpentine as the sun begins to set. There will be a few light-hearted icebreakers to help everyone get to know one another, but the focus is simply on enjoying good company and genuine conversation. Whether you're new to London, looking to expand your social circle, or hoping to meet someone special, this is a welcoming space to connect with interesting people in a relaxed atmosphere. 📅 Date & Time Thursday 2/7/26 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM 📍 Meeting Point Outside Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, Hyde Park. Please arrive by 6:45 PM so we can begin together. 🌿 What to Expect 6:45 PM – Welcome and introductions 7:00 PM – Fun, relaxed icebreakers to help everyone mingle 7:30 PM – Picnic, conversation and socialising 8:15 PM – Sunset stroll around the Serpentine, with opportunities to chat with different people along the way 9:00 PM – Finish, with the option to exchange contact details if you make a connection Who Is This For? ✔️ Singles aged 25–46 ✔️ Professionals and like-minded individuals who enjoy meaningful conversation ✔️ People looking to meet others in a relaxed, respectful and friendly environment This is not a speed dating event. There is no pressure, no name tags and no forced matching—just an enjoyable evening meeting new people in one of London's most beautiful parks. What to Bring • A picnic blanket or something comfortable to sit on (optional) • Your own food and drinks • Comfortable shoes for the walk • A friendly attitude and an openness to meeting new people Group Values We aim to create a warm, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Please be respectful, be present, and help make new members feel included. Genuine conversations and kindness are what make these events memorable. Come on your own or with a friend—most people attend solo, and we'll make sure everyone feels welcome. We look forward to spending a wonderful summer evening with you! If the weather is unsuitable, the event may be postponed or an alternative venue will be announced via Meetup. ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer: This is a free, casual community gathering. Attendees are entirely responsible for their own personal safety, behavior, and belongings at all times. The organiser accepts no liability for any incidents, injury, or loss during the event. By attending, you confirm you are an adult (18+) and accept full personal responsibility.

In this session we will read aloud some of the Tractatus Logico Philosoophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein, and discuss it. One of the most difficult books of philosophy ever written, it attempts in no more than 79 pages to set out the limits of language, knowlege and reality. Bertrand Russell described it as "an achievement of extraordinary difficulty and importance" and a work of "philosophical genius". No preparation or background knowledge required for the session. We will read together, share explanations where we can, and form our reactions. Gather in Highgate Library from 3.15, read and discuss 3.30 to 4.30. Optional socialising in the Boogaloo pub afterwards.

Every week is a badminton academy for improver/intermediate/advanced standard. I also run thirteen teams that play in leagues out of the academy. Unfortunately this class does not cater for beginners! Wanting people who wish to enjoy and improve with games and advice with a coach who has played county and national level badminton, and has also played for England. Just come along, bring a racket, very friendly atmosphere! Class from 7.30 - 9.30pm weekly, £14.00 per session or £35.00 for three sessions t be paid up front and must be used within six months, payable by cash only. I have coached players from beginner to international standard. Please message me with any questions. Thanks

Hi everyone! We're Jared and Petria Walker, local real estate investors based in Columbus, Ohio, with a passion for short-term rentals and hospitality. We're looking to start a casual monthly Columbus-area meetup for entrepreneurs, investors, real estate professionals, and anyone interested in short-term rentals to share ideas, discuss market trends, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships. Whether you're just getting started or have years of experience, we'd love to connect, collaborate, and grow together. We believe some of the best opportunities begin with great conversations. See you soon!

Let’s meet and discuss John Updike's Rabbit, Run, the first in his series of four novels following the life, hopes, and disappointments of former local basketball star, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, as he fitfully confronts and evades adulthood.

This is not an event, but an announcement that we are accepting new members. If you'd like to pursue joining our group, please read the "about us" section and then write us at columbusmensgroup@gmail.com with a few paragraphs about yourself, what you'd like to experience in the group, and the contribution that you'd like to make. Thank you!

Be prepared for an entirely different type of sci-fi movie! Unofficially, the second movie in director Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," 2011 Melancholia depicts the events that occur before a rogue planet is about to collide with the earth. Considered by many to be a masterpiece, the film was included in BFI's 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of the greatest movies of all time. It is available at the library as well as on Kanopy.

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 the Introverts of Columbus at Quarry Trails Metro Park for an afternoon walk in the Park. We'll meet near the parking lot area for about 15 minutes before heading out to chat and hike through the metro park. This will be a casually paced walk to allow people to get to know each other, and enjoy nature at the same time. 🚨🚨 Please note that there are multiple parking areas for the Quarry Trails Park, and please note the address in the event to get to the correct starting area! 🚨🚨

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.