Intellectual Discussions

It’s glorious weather, so join us for a Bank Holiday drink at The Mayflower, Rotherhithe. The pub is by the Thames with an outdoor area. We may move to other pubs nearby. Will update any change of location in message discussion. ☀️ 🍻

Open weekly Maracatu percussion classes for all levels – beginners to advanced – Newbies very welcome! The classes are run by Sam Alexander, a professional musician, teacher, and artist. He leads the community group Baque de Axé in London, which plays traditional Maracatu Carnival percussion music from Recife in Pernambuco, Brazil. Classes run every Monday from 6:45pm to 9:15pm (Times include set up and pack away, drumming 7:00pm to 9:00pm) and are held in Maxilla Social Club, 2 Maxilla Walk, London, W10 6SW, underneath the Westway, 5 mins from Latimer Road Tube Station on the Hammersmith & City/Circle Lines. £15/session (payable on the evening via contactless reader (referred) or cash). No booking required. Axé 💚❤️

IN PERSON STUDY & CONVERSATION GROUP - KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER WORDS. HOW IS IT ACHIEVED ? WITH TREVOR DANCE **Knowledge of the Higher Worlds is an essential book for understanding Rudolf Steiner’s ideas. It contains practical exercises to set one on the spiritual pathway advocated by Steiner – a reliable and safe path based on a rational, scientific approach.** **You are warmly invited to join the study group.** **Further information: trevordance@hotmail.com** This group is run under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain and small donations towards expenses are welcome. £ 3 / £2 .

**Enjoy an Amazing Table Tennis Event during the Long Weekend of Spring Bank Holiday 2026 !** **So, sip amazing cocktails, enjoy great food, and dive into unlimited table tennis with a crowd that feels instantly welcoming.** **A night of lively rallies, warm vibes, and effortless connection.** 🎟️ Your Ticket Includes 🏓 **Unlimited Table Tennis Sessions** (played in friendly rotations so everyone gets plenty of game time) 🌟 What to Expect 🤝 Looking for an evening that blends relaxed socialising with a bit of playful competition? Bubba Oasis in Islington offers the perfect setting. With its cosy décor, warm lighting, and upbeat atmosphere, it’s a space designed for meeting new people and unwinding after a long day. 🏓 **Table tennis is one of the easiest ice‑breakers around** — fast, fun, and guaranteed to spark laughter. Whether you’re a seasoned player or you’ve never held a paddle before, the game naturally gets people talking, cheering, and connecting. 🇬🇷 Hosted by the **Greece & Cyprus Meetup Group**, you’ll meet plenty of Greek speakers — but as always, **everyone is welcome**. All backgrounds, all vibes, all levels of table‑tennis talent. 🛋️ We’ve secured a dedicated area for our group, giving you space to mingle, relax, and enjoy the night at your own pace. 🎈 There’s no age restriction — this is an open, inclusive social circle. Whether you’re in the mood to chat, play, laugh, or simply soak up the atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home. Expect: 💬 Easy, natural conversations 😂 Light‑hearted fun 🤗 A warm, welcoming crowd 🌍 A chance to expand your social circle effortlessly 🎵 Bubba Oasis’s signature cosy‑meets‑creative vibe --And who knows? You may even meet your other half. 🍸 Make the Most of Your Night 🍹 Bubba Oasis offers a fantastic menu of cocktails, mocktails, and comfort‑food favourites available to purchase. 🏓 With **unlimited table tennis**, you can keep the rallies going all evening — challenge new friends, start a mini‑tournament, or simply enjoy the energy of the room. 🎉 Whether you’re celebrating, exploring London’s social scene, or just treating yourself to something different, this night is designed to feel good. 🪪 Entry Information 🆔 All guests must bring valid photo ID (Driver’s Licence, European ID, or Passport). 💳 RSVP and advance payment are required. 📝 Once your ticket is paid, your name is added to the guest list. 🚪 No entry without a ticket — all tickets are checked at the door. 📍 Finding Us When you arrive, simply ask the staff to direct you to **Panagiotis’s Events area** — we’ll be there to welcome you with a smile. 📞 Contact 📱 Call Panagiotis: **07508 502863** 📧 Email (tickets & inquiries): \*\*[greek_meetup@yahoo.com**](http://greek_meetup@yahoo.com%2A%2A/)

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

Come and play 2 hours of intermediate level badminton with us at the fantastic sports hall at Ark Walworth Academy in Southwark (SE1), playing with Yonex 600 fast plastic shuttlecocks on 4 badminton courts and normally around 20 players. You need to book your place in advance on our website using a bank card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. Note that we manage bookings and post updates on the booking page on our website, not on meetup: [https://playfit.co.uk/w/badminton/](https://playfit.co.uk/w/badminton/) If you have any questions or want to book a term (approx 3 months) at a discounted rate then contact us here: Whatsapp: [https://wa.me/message/WMVRULBIR7TJA1](https://wa.me/message/WMVRULBIR7TJA1) Email: [https://playfit.co.uk/w/contact](https://playfit.co.uk/w/contact) Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about our badminton sessions, new locations and get exclusive offers: [https://playfit.co.uk/newsletter](https://playfit.co.uk/newsletter)

The world is in crisis and many people think we've gone past the tipping point and the planet is doomed. However, there are those who have hope and faith in science that some can survive the polycrisis and get to live in a sustainable society and planet. But there's a problem... **There's no clear vision of what a sustainable society and planet should be**, and without that destination, how can we set out on the journey to get there? Please join like-minded people to discuss this. We'll agree an agenda at the start of the meeting. Bring an open mind, suggestions and perhaps a pad of paper. **Here are some topics to be covered.** Please use the comments/chat to suggest other areas for consideration *Depending on the mood of attendees, the frequency of further meetups can be agreed.* **WHAT DO WE WANT A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY AND PLANET TO LOOK AND FEEL LIKE?** · A planet with clean atmosphere, oceans and soil with systems in place to keep them that way · The abolition of poverty and hunger · Equality of opportunity for all to achieve a peaceful and contented life without fear of physical or other violence · Access to healthcare, hygiene and sanitation for all · Access to quality education for all · A more responsible system of financial structures which embraces the best of co-operative production, capitalism and other systems · A safe justice system for all · Societies which respect for the diversity of opinion, ethnicity, sexuality, religion · Respect for the natural resources and fragility of Planet Earth and their finite capacity · Societies where the more fortunate, stronger and healthier help those less strong, less fortunate or less healthy. · Peaceful co-existence between the varying communities of the planet **What Freedoms ?** · Freedom to travel anywhere · Freedom to worship (should there be limitation such as worship should not be based on destroying the existing system…??) · Freedom from violence · Freedom from hate · Freedom from poverty (how define?) · Freedom of speech · Freedom from anxiety about the future · Freedom from concentration of power · Freedom to preserve culture and arts · Freedom to make decisions about one’s body · Freedom to seek representation and to represent others · Freedom to be different · Freedom to be heard

Have you ever wanted to gather together and talk about insightful topics which broadens your thinking and knowledge? If so, this may be the right event for you. Welcome to the ‘Deep conversations’ event where you get the opportunity to share your views based on the topics that we may cover. The last time this was executed, it not only went well but we managed to learn from one another which broadened our thinking. We have a new twist: The event will take place at Green park and it won’t be capped. The way it works is you’ll be numbered from 1 - 5 and then you get together in your groups based on your number. The process repeats itself after each topic until the event is finished so it’s opportunistic to interact with new faces and hear interesting views. With this particular event, the topics we’ll discuss are: * What does family mean to you? * What do you appreciate from your parents the most? * They say ‘blood makes you related and loyalty makes you family’. What’s your take on this? * Do you think character is important or time when it comes to knowing people? * Was there ever a time where someone close to you broke your trust and if so, what did you learn? * Name someone special who entered your life and changed you for the better. We get so preoccupied with daily life that we hardly have a chance to sit back and think as well as discuss many topics in such depth. When was the last time you sat back and thought about anything in depth which opened your eyes to so many possibilities and broadened your thinking? Now is your chance to share your views and learn from one another. By participating in this, you could broaden your ways of thinking, learn new lessons or even heal if you have your hidden struggles. My fellow explorers, if you enjoyed the event, I’m more than happy to accept any donations which of course are optional but will go a long way to help me unlock and deliver even more exciting and engaging events and resources: https://www.paypal.me/calvinjoy WHAT - Deep conversations
WHERE - Green Park
WHEN - 7:15pm - 9pm
MEETING POINT - Outside Green park station near the fountain
NEAREST STATION - Green Park station
REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour and respect on one’s opinions. Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. If you ask a question that either already has the answer to it or doesn’t relate to the event at all, I won’t respond. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

Philosophy in the Park is a philosophical discussion group. Open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary. We will meet at the Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain in Victoria Park (East Park). It is marked down as "13" on the official maps found in the park. 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 Sociology, 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, answer the joining question and we will add 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)

The crew of the Six-Thousand Ship consists of those who were born, and those who were made. Those who will die, and those who will not. When the ship takes on a number of strange objects from the planet New Discovery, the crew is perplexed to find itself becoming deeply attached to them, and human and humanoid employees alike start aching for the same things: warmth and intimacy. Loved ones who have passed. Shopping and child-rearing. Our sheared, far-away Earth, which now only persists in memory. The Employees probes into what it means to be human, emotionally and ontologically, while simultaneously delivering an overdue critique of a life governed by work and the logic of productivity. Available from all good libraries and book shops. You don't have to have read it to join us - but it'll probably help. We will be meeting in The Ludski Bar in the Rio Cinema. [https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/](https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/) You are welcome to bring outside food in with you but please buy your drinks from inside the cinema. Thank you. We hope to see you there. ... To join the Brain Worms WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EvFibn1d6AsEwdVGmwkhko](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EvFibn1d6AsEwdVGmwkhko) (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). Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective)

In 2025–2026, the UK removed criminal penalties for women ending their own pregnancies, while keeping the 24-week limit. This raises crucial questions: Should abortion beyond 18 weeks be treated as healthcare and personal choice? Or does it blur the law and weaken accountability? **Have your say, join the debate!** Join us on **26 May 2026** at the Windsor Castle pub for drinks and discussion as we debate the motion: **THW Ban Abortion After Week 18 in the UK** **First half**: Improvised mini-debates – all are welcome to speak. **Second half**: Prepared speeches, followed by floor contributions – an opportunity to share your views. **[GET YOUR GUEST TICKET HERE](https://104londondebaters.club/)** During the first half of the meeting, there will be an improvised mini-debate session, where anyone may get called to defend or oppose a motion in 2 minutes (voluntarily, of course). During the main debate, 3 debaters will propose the motion, 3 debaters will oppose it, and **YOU** may give your opinion during Floor Contributions. The meeting will be held on the first floor of[ the Windsor Castle pub](https://windsorcastle-victoria.co.uk/) in Victoria, a beautiful Victorian pub with great food, drinks prices. Make sure to give the code word: *Debate Club*!

This is an **in-person** **theatre** and **livestream** talk from the **Royal Institution of Great Britain.** Laser expert **Prof Stephen Bown** explores the physics of Photodynamic Therapy, and the new treatments it might unlock. This is a Royal Institution discourse titled: **Photodynamic Therapy: Physicists and physicians unite to heal with light** **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:** **[https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/discourse-photodynamic-therapy-physicists-and-physicians-unite-heal-light](https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/discourse-photodynamic-therapy-physicists-and-physicians-unite-heal-light)** **SUMMARY** Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is offering a revolutionary new treatment option for a range of diseases, particularly cancers. By combining the skills of physicists and physicians, PDT uses light to kill living cells without damaging the structural integrity of the surrounding tissue. In this Discourse, laser medicine expert **Stephen Bown** draws on his decades of experience to explain how PDT works. Administering the drugs (photosensitisers) that sensitise tissues to light is relatively straightforward, but getting light to all relevant areas deep within the body is a major challenge. Endoscopes provide access to hollow organs, but ingenuity and detailed understanding of light scattering and absorption within solid tissues is required to deliver appropriate light doses everywhere within a target tissue. Stephen will further describe associated leading-edge developments, including cancer detection by photosensitiser fluorescence, the use of PDT as a “primer” to stimulate immunological responses to cancers and, at a very early stage of development, the concept that PDT might be able to offer a new approach to treating type 2 diabetes. Join us to discover one of the most exciting areas of development in clinical science. This event is in celebration of UCL200. This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. **The livestream will go live around 7.20pm, and the talk will begin at 7.30pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's [event terms and conditions](https://www.rigb.org/terms-and-conditions). You also agree to abide by [our code of conduct](https://www.rigb.org/about-us/how-were-run/our-code-conduct-ri-visitors), and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.

We are reading Mustafa Suleyman’s The Coming Wave to learn more about AI and tech this month 🤖

**Debait - a modern public square that promotes respectful disagreement.** **We offer a much needed alternative to social media "debating".** We are anti-ragebait and shouting. Just thoughtful discussions about issues shaping society. We facilitate an in-person session **on the last Saturday of every month at 259 Goswell Road, London, between 5pm-7pm** All our sessions are limited to a **maximum of 20 attendees** which guarantees that everyone will get ample opportunities to engage. **Tickets are £15 per person and must be booked in advance via our website at www.debait.co.uk. The ticket price includes tea / coffee and a small Scandinavian fika treat, thanks to our event sponsors Scandi Soul Food (www.scandisoulfood.co.uk).**

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

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.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.