Intellectual Discussions

**Unfiltered conversations, global perspectives, and cinematic drinks. Topic of the day:** People seem more obsessed with wellness than ever, yet we’re still burnt out and sick. Why is the healthcare system so slow to catch up with new longevity discoveries? From medical corporation's interests to the rise of alternative spirituality and habit-hacking, this debate questions who really controls our health. Let’s talk honestly about what it takes to live healthier for longer. **1\. The Modern Poison:** Which daily lifestyle habit is secretly ruining your health the most? **2\. The Profit Trap:** Is modern medicine designed to actually cure us, or just keep us paying? **3\. The New Frontier:** Would you trust alternative lifestyle methods over traditional doctor advice? *Join a room of international minds, creative professionals, and cosmopolitans for our weekly late-night conversation lounge. We skip the small talk to dive directly into the gray areas of relationships, modern culture, and society.* *Come for the perspective. Stay for the connections.* **🍸 THE VIBE** * **Curated Conversations:** Sharp, spicy, and unfiltered topics. We tackle everything from cultural identity to institutional trust - we focus on personal philosophies and lived experiences rather than rigid point-scoring. * **Cinematic Backdrop:** Hosted in the moody lounge of Curzon Aldgate, perfect for late-night cocktails and deep chat. * **Fluid Mingling:** An organic mix of curated group discussions, then unstructured socializing over drinks. * **A Global Collective:** Connect with international graduates, London's creatives, open-minded travelers, etc. **🕒 THE RUN SHEET** * **19:30 – 20:00 \| The Warm Up:** Arrive, grab a cocktail, and settle into the lounge space. * **20:00 – 21:30 \| The Hot Takes:** We move into our hosted conversation circles. We rotate groups so you meet everyone. * **21:30 – Late \| The After\-chat:** The lounge bar stays open for late-night mingling and drinks. **📜 HOUSE RULES** 1. **Challenge Ideas, Not People:** We love strong opinions, lightly held. No personal attacks. 2. **No Soapboxing:** This is an exchange of perspectives, not a lecture. Leave your monologues at home. 3. **Be Present:** Put the phones away during the conversation circles. 4. **Open Minds Only:** Bring your cultural background, leave your judgment at the door. **📍 THE DETAILS** * **Where:** The Lounge Bar at Curzon Aldgate, 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS. * **Entry:** Free entry. Kindly support the venue by ordering a drink or snack at the bar. * **Dress Code:** Smart/City Casual * **Transport:** Aldgate East, Aldgate, Tower Hill/Gateway stations are all within a 5-minute walk. **🌎 ABOUT US** **World Citizens** is London's premier cosmopolitan collective. For over 15 years, we have curated high-vibe spaces, salon discussions, and cultural mixers for global minds, young professionals, and international expats living in the capital. **\*Our other weekly events\*** \- Friday evening socials every week \- Cafe tour around London every Saturday \- Canary Wharf socials every other Wednesday \- Outdoor fun \(hiking\, kayaking\, etc\) every weekend \- Dining\, cultural and travel activities on\-demand **JOIN OUR TEAM!** We're all volunteers, so if you enjoy organizing activities or events in your spare time, while meeting great people every week, send a message to our team account "TP"! **DISCLAIMER** We are a 100% volunteer-run team. Though we have high standards in planning, this is a private informal activity so we cannot be liable for any damage or inconvenience. However, we put safety and comfort first. We take all complaints seriously, and take severe action against any harassment, verbal or non-verbal, and anti-social behaviour, towards our guests or team members. We collaborate with the police when needed. We take photos and videos which may include you to help promote the community in line with GDPR Data Protection law, as well as stock photos from Pexels or Unsplash. We may restrict or prioritize guests at our own discretion for safety, quality and logistics reasons. While our team's decisions may not be perfect we ask that you follow our decisions first and raise any disputes to discuss with us later and privately. By attending you understand, agree with and respect all terms of this disclaimer.

Nightcrawler is a 2014 American neo-noir satirical thriller film written and directed by Dan Gilroy in his directorial debut. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an unhinged stringer who seeks out violent and morbid events late at night in Los Angeles so he can film them and sell the exclusive footage to a local television news station. The supporting cast includes Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton. It was met with widespread praise, especially Gilroy's screenplay and the performances of Gyllenhaal and Russo. Several critics listed Nightcrawler as one of the best films of 2014 and it received various accolades, including a Best Original Screenplay nomination at the 87th Academy Awards. Please note we will not be showing the film at the meeting. Make sure you watch the film before you attend and then come and join in with the conversation. It’s just a discussion. It’s not a screening. 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. ... To join the All Out of Bubblegum Film Club WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2to1MBd4Ct7kQTFFVnyML](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2to1MBd4Ct7kQTFFVnyML) (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)

The UK officially left the EU in 2020. Are we missing out sitting at the high table of European trade, or are we better off shorn of the shackles of EU bureaucracy? Where do you stand on this debate? **Have your say, join the debate!** Join us on **09 May 2026** at the Windsor Castle pub for drinks and discussion as we debate the motion: **THW Rejoin The EU** **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 **in-person theatre** and **livestream** talk is available online from Gresham College to Basingstoke Science subscribers. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the Gresham web site:** **[https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/shape-knots](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/shape-knots)** **SUMMARY** #### Part of: **[The Geometry of Nature and the Shape of Things](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/geometry-nature)** Knots are ubiquitous in the world around us, appearing as tangled cords, shoelaces, or the complex structures of DNA. Far from being nuisances, knots have profound and beautiful mathematical properties with tentacular connections to geometry, topology, physics, and biology. This lecture introduces the fascinating world of knot theory, exploring how the mathematical study of knots helps us understand and predict their formation, stability, **LIVESTREAM TIMING** **The livestream will go live at 5.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 6.00pm. 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. Gresham College has offered an outstanding education to the public free of charge for over 400 years. Today, Gresham College plays an important role in fostering a love of learning and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Please consider making a donation on their web site to support the work of Gresham College.

Nightcrawler is a 2014 American neo-noir satirical thriller film written and directed by Dan Gilroy in his directorial debut. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an unhinged stringer who seeks out violent and morbid events late at night in Los Angeles so he can film them and sell the exclusive footage to a local television news station. The supporting cast includes Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton. It was met with widespread praise, especially Gilroy's screenplay and the performances of Gyllenhaal and Russo. Several critics listed Nightcrawler as one of the best films of 2014 and it received various accolades, including a Best Original Screenplay nomination at the 87th Academy Awards. Please note we will not be showing the film at the meeting. Make sure you watch the film before you attend and then come and join in with the conversation. It’s just a discussion. It’s not a screening. 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. ... To join the All Out of Bubblegum Film Club WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2to1MBd4Ct7kQTFFVnyML](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2to1MBd4Ct7kQTFFVnyML) (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) You can also find the All Out of Bubblegum Film Club here: [https://www.meetup.com/alloutofbubblegumfilmclub/](https://www.meetup.com/alloutofbubblegumfilmclub/) We hope to see you soon.

Greetings, The Spiritual Discussion Programme on BLESS RADIO 1 is on today from 6pm to 8pm UK time. The topic is "To give unselfishly where help is needed ...” To listen visit www.blessradio1.com CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON ON THE ZENO VIDEO SCREEN ON TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER Alternatively you can listen on zeno.fm/radio/blessradio1 We are also live streaming on YouTube. Goto [www.YouTube.com](https://www.youtube.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwWjhrNU5kZ3FiWlFKcWVVVXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ece5RqVM1SXANz30l6szCVQY-2cv67si6OWQxtMSPNnmJsOZBTl47GGA1SQ_aem_9B5RFmZKLeVHG_QJhe83Bw) Search for “Blessradio1 Grail Message To give unselfishly where help is needed ..." After the show, you can also listen to the recording of the show on YOU TUBE (as above). Hope you can listen tonight and join in. PLEASE Call /Text / WhatApp us with your questions or comments on +44 7939 641 958. OR Message us on Bless Chat box on [www.blessradio1.com](http://www.blessradio1.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2fGBcwr_zqUzBvp1UNYPsReHJqU4HJqhn3rg3XZGIk-3b5QHFKoJQolAs_aem_ONWb__d3tcI4BshpKmv6ag) Regards, Saad Farooqi

Connecting people into Philosophy. All welcome. No previous philosophical experience needed. **What it is** Philosophy in the Park is a fun and friendly space for people to come together and have discussions that get deep. It’s a safe space where active creative thinking is encouraged and enjoyed, and where everyone can explore abstract concepts in a way that combines both sincerity and playfulness. Where the most important question is always - what do you think? **What is Philosophy?** Philosophy is about analysing concepts. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the physical world (eg Science and statistics). It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas (eg Identity, Morality, Mind and Truth). **How Philosophy in the Park Works** * Each hour begins with a group vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like. * We then break out into groups, each focusing on one of the chosen questions. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and end up talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer to sit back and enjoy the conversation, that’s also welcome. * After an hour we regroup, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So across the 3 hours, we’ll break out 3 times. **Where it is** We meet at Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain in Victoria Park (East Park). It is marked down as "13" on the official maps found in the park. Please feel free to bring snacks and drinks with you if you want. After the event finishes most people stay and hang out. There’s a local supermarket to get drinks and snacks, or bring your own. You are very welcome to join us. **Guidelines** In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive 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). Please remember: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding. **Community** We have a WhatsApp group if you'd like to continue these conversations between meetings. 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. **Say Thanks** If you would like to help support Philosophy in the Park you can buy me a coffee here: [https://buymeacoffee.com/philosophyjoel](https://buymeacoffee.com/philosophyjoel)

Do you have spare books lying around your home? Do you want to read new interesting books for free while socializing with interesting people? This is the event for you. We will enjoy nice drinks and snacks together at a beautiful lounge bar in London. You can bring your books and exchange them with whoever has the books you want to read. Since this is a Science and Philosophy book club, it would be great for you to bring non-fiction books that are insightful and thought-provoking. If you want to bring fiction books that are scientifically or philosophically insightful, feel free to bring those as well. Since it is a social event, I encourage everyone to make deep meaningful conversations and make new friends. You can come alone or bring your friends with you. If you come alone, there is no need to be shy or scared. I will welcome you and introduce you to cool interesting people to speak with. Also feel free to come even if you forget to bring any books.

An informal Unitarian meditation service, led by Roy. A contemplative spiritual gathering in which you can take time to reflect on life in the company of others. A rare opportunity to experience this form of gathering in person. Heartspaces at Essex Hall is a vibrant and welcoming Unitarian hub in central London, open to spiritual seekers, existing Unitarians and curious newcomers. The Heartspaces programme is a series of weekly spiritual gatherings led by Unitarian ministers and volunteers across London. From regular pagan ceremonies to the spirituality events every Thursday evening, Heartspaces encourages people to gather, share and discover together. Whether you are a seasoned Unitarian, a spiritual searcher or simply curious, find your space to grow.

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/

What philosophical dilemmas/deep questions have been living in your mind rent free lately?

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

Sleep, Rest & Connection: Building Our Community Together Join us for the next gathering of The Pause Collective — a supportive meetup for neurodivergent women navigating perimenopause, menopause, burnout, overwhelm, and life transitions. Since many of us haven't yet had the opportunity to meet, we'll begin by getting to know one another and sharing what brought us to this community. We'll also explore one of the most common challenges many women experience during this season of life: sleep. Whether you're navigating insomnia, waking up in the middle of the night, racing thoughts, night sweats, exhaustion, burnout, or simply not feeling rested, you're not alone. This will be a relaxed, low-pressure coffee shop meetup focused on connection and conversation. No need to prepare anything. No pressure to share. Come as you are. Together we'll: • Introduce ourselves and get to know one another • Share what brought us to The Pause Collective • Discuss sleep, rest, and energy during perimenopause and menopause • Exchange ideas, experiences, and support • Explore what topics we'd like to discuss in future gatherings • Continue building the kind of community we'd like to create together This space is neurodivergent-affirming, self-diagnosis-friendly, and supportive of different communication styles and energy levels. Quiet participation is welcome. Listening is participating. Whether you're looking for support, learning, friendship, or simply a place where you don't have to explain yourself, you are welcome here. I look forward to meeting you. — Dawn

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.

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

Let's stroll the artists' booths and enjoy some of the festival's opening day! The Columbus Art Festival features a wide and vibrant range of visual art from local and national exhibitors, plus, live music, and all kinds of food and refreshments, along the waterfront downtown. (The featured painting is by Columbus Art Festival exhibitor, Joe Engel - joe-engelart.com)

In the year 2044, in the age of AI, a woman named Gabrielle (Seydoux) tries to purify her DNA by purging the inherited memories of her past lives. She (re)lives her life in 1910 Paris and 2014 Los Angeles, and as the procedure goes on, the lines between her worlds become blurred. These three timelines have a lot of connective tissue holding them together; certain symbols and motifs appear repeatedly, not to mention Mackay’s Louis, a figure whom Gabrielle seems drawn to in each lifetime. *The Beast / La Bête* can be streamed for free on Kanopy or the Criterion Channel. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime, AppleTV and YouTube.

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).