Location Photography

Join me and our small group of yogis for a Monday evening reset at Santosha Yoga Studio (Meiser)! 🧘‍♀️ Every Monday from 20:00–21:00 we move through a gentle flow designed to release tension after a long day, especially if you spend hours sitting at a desk. We begin with an energizing sequence to wake up the body, add a small playful challenge to build strength and confidence, and then slow down into calming stretches and guided relaxation. The class is open to all levels, and you’re invited to move at your own pace and make the practice truly yours. Come as you are and leave feeling lighter, calmer, and ready for whatever the week brings. The class is taught in English. First class: 10 EUR. More information: [https://santosha.be/profs/tereza-topkova](https://santosha.be/profs/tereza-topkova)

ATTEND IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM **NB This event will now take place at the Café of [St. Hilda's East Community Centre](https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5244243,-0.0746385,17z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), 18 Club Row, London E2 7EY. The nearest station (just a few minutes walk) is [Shoreditch High Street](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shoreditch+High+Street/@51.5237626,-0.0741518,16.75z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x48761cb7237e45d3:0x832e68d6f5c3b9b0!8m2!3d51.5232573!4d-0.0754661!16s%2Fg%2F1hhvv83t7?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (Overground).** We can go back to the earliest beginnings of the Western philosophical tradition to find references to what we might call “common sense”. Heraclitus states that “thinking is common to all”. However, this seemingly optimistic statement is soon qualified by his lament that people don’t understand, and therefore don’t recognise the importance of, his own philosophical message: they clearly don’t think well enough. The lights are on but no-one’s home, he seems to say. But is he really disappointed at the poor quality of common thought or because others don’t think like him? So, yes, we all think, but what is it that is really shared? What is common about common sense, if it exists at all? In my talk at Kant’s Cave I would like to explore with you the possible meanings, uses and value of the idea of “common sense”. We will discuss thinkers from Kant and Voltaire to Gadamer and Hannah Arendt. Event video teaser [here](https://youtube.com/shorts/edZEjrKHKnQ?si=3K0G7Mj1rNoHeVjE) **Dr. Anja Steinbauer** is a London-based philosopher, Sinologist, and the President of [Philosophy For All (PFA)](https://pfalondon.org/). Passionate about making philosophy vibrant and accessible to everyone, she has dedicated her career to public philosophy, pioneering engaging formats that bridge academic thought with everyday life. She is an editor for *[Philosophy Now](https://philosophynow.org/about)*[ magazine](https://philosophynow.org/about) and lecturer at the [London School of Philosophy](https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anja-steinbauer-27966344). This event is sponsored by the Royal institute of Philosophy. For the full programme of events pls see [pfalondon.org](http://pfalondon.org)

Small curated movie nights in a hidden garden in Ixelles, next to Place Flagey. A mix of: * **cult classics** * **recent movies** * **international cinema** * **comedy nights** * **karaoke & dubbing chaos nights** * **comfort food and summer vibes** **This is not a giant public Meetup** where 40 strangers stand awkwardly around overpriced drinks pretending networking is fun. Humanity already suffered enough. Our idea is simple: we gather in a private home and transform the courtyard into a small outdoor cinema. Sometimes we cook together before the movie: Italian, Thai, Lebanese, Japanese, Balkan, Greek, Latin American street food etc. Sometimes people simply grab pizza from the excellent pizzeria next door and join the screening. Food is intentionally relaxed: bowls, finger food, street food, popcorn, snacks, comfort food. **Some nights are more gourmet.** Some are glorified pizza-and-movie nights. Both are valid forms of civilization **;-)** ## **What makes this different** The group is i**ntentionally small**: usually 6 to 8 people maximum. **People are introduced properly.** Nobody gets abandoned in a corner. The atmosphere stays human, social and safe. **No heavy drinking.** **No creepy behavior.** No random people showing up uninvited. Smoking is allowed because is outside in the courtyard and occasionally we may have **hookah nights** depending on the movie/theme. ## **Typical evenings** * Wong Kar-wai + Asian comfort food * Spaghetti western + Italian street food * Anime + sushi night * Greek cinema + mezze * Balkan chaos cinema + burek * Cult movie dubbing nights where people voice scenes live karaoke-style Yes, this is a real thing now apparently. ## **Important** Because Meetups and public internet are full of bots, spam accounts and socially radioactive individuals, **we do NOT post the exact address publicly.** To join: scan the QR code on the image and request access to the private WhatsApp group or send me a DM. From there: * we announce movies * vote on menus * organize cooking nights * coordinate places **If you are new in Brussels, introverted, traveling, recently arrived, or simply tired of giant impersonal events, this may be your thing.**

**🎟️ Cost:** First session is FREE! If you are repeating, the cost is 15 EUR **Reserve your free spot (max 15 participants).** Please register officially to get the exact address: [https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/](https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/) Are you looking for a safe space to press pause on the busy world? 🌙 Come join *Inner Spark* for a deeply relaxing evening designed to help you release tension and return to your center. Hosted by Pablo and Monika in a beautiful meditative ashram space ✨ You don't need to be a meditator to join. The steady beat of the drum does the work for you, helping your mind quiet down and your body soften. This 75-minute session uses the ancient power of the drum to help you enter a state of deep relaxation and mental clarity. It is perfect for anyone feeling anxious, overthinking, or simply in need of a mental reset. 🧠✨ **The Journey:** 1. **Arrival:** Land softly with a cup of hot tea ☕ 2. **Intention:** Focus your energy with a Tarot card guidance 🔮 3. **The Drum:** Lie down and let the rhythm wash over you 🥁 4. **Integration:** Wake up slowly and share if you feel called to 💫 **📅 Date:** 1 June 2026 **🕤 Start:** 19:30h (Please arrive a few minutes early to settle in) **📍 Location:** Brussels (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) **🎟️ Cost:** First session is FREE! If you are repeating, the cost is 15 EUR **✅ Good to know:** * Mats, blankets, and cushions are provided. * Wear comfortable clothes. **Reserve your free spot (max 15 participants).** Please register officially to get the exact address: [https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/](https://innersparklife.com/drum-meditation-bru/) **Want more?** Join our private Skool community here: 👉 **[https://www.skool.com/inner-spark-tribe-6042/about](https://www.skool.com/inner-spark-tribe-6042/about)**

Drinking & Networking in Brussels. For newcomers, temporary in town - couch surfers and regulars to meet & socialize. What a better day to start the week than drinking & socializing starting on Monday evening?

Rejoins-nous pour découvrir le Touch Rugby sous le signe du sport, du fun et de la convivialité ! 🏉 Que tu sois débutant·e curieux·se, joueur·se occasionnel·le ou habitué·e des terrains, ce rendez-vous est ouvert à toutes et tous. Le touch rugby est un sport en plein essor sans plaquage, accessible, dynamique mais aussi inclusif et fun sur et en dehors des terrains. 💙 ✨ Au programme : * Échauffement collectif * Exercices et jeux * Développement de la condition physique * Bonne humeur, esprit d’équipe et fair-play 🎯 Venez bouger, vous amuser et partager un bon moment ensemble ! 👉 Ramène ta tenue de sport, de l’eau, et surtout ta motivation. On s’occupe du reste 💪 À très vite sur le terrain !

**Afterwork vibes. Sunset views. Great people.** Join us this Thursday for a relaxed rooftop evening above the EU district — the perfect way to unwind after work, meet like-minded internationals, and enjoy Brussels from a different perspective. This is a **small, curated gathering** to keep things social, easy, and high quality. *** ## ✨ What to expect * 🌇 Beautiful **sunset views over Brussels** * 🍹 Stylish rooftop bar (cocktails, wine, softs available) * 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friendly group of people * 🎶 Chill, classy atmosphere (not a loud party) *** ## 📍 Practical info * **Location:** Sofitel Brussels Europe * **Meeting point:** Rooftop (enter Sofitel and take the lift) * **Time:** After work (see event time) * **Group size:** **Max. 15 participants** *** ## 🎟️ Reservation required (important) To ensure a smooth experience and avoid overcrowding, **a reservation is required**. * **Explorer members:** €5 to secure your spot * **Voyager & Ambassador members:** Included (free reservation) 👉 **Spots without reservation are not guaranteed** *** ## ⚠️ Good to know * Drinks are **paid individually at the bar** * Limitedty → first come, first served * This is a **social rooftop evening**, not a party *** ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations A community of internationals in Brussels connecting through experiences, travel & good vibes. *** **Come for one drink… stay for the people ✨**

Start your Saturday slowly, connect with new people, and discover the warmth of a traditional Moroccan brunch experience Join us for a cozy and social morning filled with authentic flavours, mint tea, conversations, and good vibes in an international atmosphere Whether you’re new in Brussels, coming solo, or simply looking for a relaxed weekend moment — you’re welcome -- ## 🌿 Experience Overview We’re bringing together a small community brunch inspired by traditional Moroccan hospitality. Expect a generous table with sweet and savoury specialties, tea, fresh juice, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for connection and discovery This is not just about food — it’s about sharing a moment together -- ## 🌍 Event Type 🌍 Community Event ## ✨ Highlights - Authentic Moroccan brunch experience - Traditional Moroccan pancakes & specialties - Fresh orange juice and Moroccan mint tea - Relaxed social atmosphere - Meet internationals, expats, and locals in Brussels - Solo joiners welcome -- ## 🕥 Plan **10:30 AM** – Welcome & introduction **10:45 AM** – Moroccan brunch is serve **11:30 AM** – Social time & conversation **12:30 PM** – Slow ending & free networking -- ## 🎟️ Contribution - *€15 total* - €12 brunch contribution - €3 community organising fee Includes - Moroccan pancakes (crêpes marocaines) - Moroccan mint tea - Fresh orange juice - Olives - Chees - Additional Moroccan brunch specialties ⚠️ *Pre-booking is required.* The venue needs to confirm the number of participants in advance, so tickets must be booked online before the event. Spots are limited to maintain a relaxed and social atmosphere VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code -- ## 🌟 Membership Sunday Vacations Memberships - Explorer — €5/year - Voyager — €50/year - Ambassador — €150/year Members receive access to selected community experiences, priority booking opportunities, and special member-only activities throughout the year -- ## 👥 Who This Is For - International professionals - Expats in Brussels - Curious food lovers - Solo joiners - People looking to meet others in a relaxed setting - Anyone who enjoys culture, connection, and slow weekend moments -- ## 🎒 What to Bring - Your booking confirmation - Your good energy - Appetite for Moroccan flavour - Openness to meeting new people -- ## ❗ Important Notes - Pre-booking online is mandatory - No walk-ins guarantee - Please arrive on time so we can start together - Solo participants are very welcome - Food selection may vary slightly depending on availability -- ## ⚖️ Legal Disclaimer Sunday Vacations / UJAMAA ASBL acts as a community organiser facilitating social and cultural experiences for participants and members The brunch is provided in collaboration with the hosting venue This event is organised as a community gathering and does not constitute a package travel service or travel agency activity Participants attend at their own responsibility -- ## 🤍 Reserve Your Spot Come enjoy a warm Moroccan brunch, discover new flavours, and spend your Saturday morning with great people in Brussels 🎟️ Book your ticket online to secure your place

Shake off the workday and train with a welcoming crew of internationals and Brussels professionals. This is a **co-hosted session with F45 Brussels**—fast, fun, and coached circuit training that fits perfectly after work. **Why join?** * **Community vibe:** Friendly, social, in English. * **All levels welcome:** Coaches demo every move with **easier/harder options**. * **Time-smart:** 45 minutes, full-body, high energy, great music. * **Accountability:** Come with the group, leave with endorphins. **What we’ll do** 1. Quick intro & warm-up 2. **F45 functional circuits** (intervals that mix strength + cardio) 3. Team finisher & cool down 4. Optional post workout social drink/rooftop bowling nearby (meet new people, not just new burpees 😉) **Good to know** * **When:** Thursday, **6:30 PM start** (arrive 6:15 to check in) * **Where:** **F45 Brussels** (Brussels Central Station) Galeries Ravenstein * **Bring:** Clean trainers, towel, water bottle * **Fitness level:** Beginner to advanced (scalable stations) * **Capacity:** Limited spots — **RSVP required** * **Price:** Free weekly tryout **Who this is for** * New in Brussels and want a **friendly fitness + social** routine * Busy professional looking for a **structured, coached** workout * Sunday Vacations regulars who want to stay fit for hikes & trips **About F45** F45 = **Functional 45-minute training**: coach-led, station-based, results-driven. Expect variety, technique tips, and a positive team atmosphere. See you on the floor at 6:30! 💪🏽✨ By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

**Palace : Broken View** 04/06 @ 19h00 This article was part of FORUM+ vol. 30 no. 1 | 2, pp. 68-79 Broken View. Congo and the magic lantern. **As an early projection device, the magic lantern was often used for colonial propaganda. For instance, to showcase and legitimize the ‘good works’ of the church in the colony. But lanterns were also used by missionaries in Africa to evangelize the local people and create a colonized mindset. This text is a reflection on the work process of Broken View, an essay film on colonial images from the Belgian Congo and the magic lantern. Through montage, collage, and assemblage the film examines and recontextualizes these images of the Belgian colonial past.** Als vroeg projectiemedium werd de toverlantaarn vaak gebruikt voor koloniale propaganda. Bijvoorbeeld om de 'goede werken' van de kerk in de kolonie te presenteren en te legitimeren. Maar lantaarns werden ook door missionarissen in Afrika gebruikt om de plaatselijke bevolking te evangeliseren en een gekoloniseerde mentaliteit te creëren. Deze tekst is een reflectie op het werkproces van Broken View, een essayfilm over de toverlantaarn en koloniale beelden uit Belgisch-Congo. Door montage, collage en assemblage onderzoekt en hercontextualiseert de film deze beelden uit het Belgische koloniale verleden. [...] **"I see montage not as a final stage of the filmmaking process, but rather as a way of beginning, montage as a way of writing."** In trying to find a way to present still images in a medium which relies on movement, I quite intuitively turned towards collage. This way, movement lies in the act of cutting out, in the tension between two arrested movements: the captured ça a été of the photograph and the completed collage-gesture that brings two or more images in the same space. The form gives rhythm to the discourse and engenders it. The cutting out of figures becomes a formal translation of what I try to do in the film discursively, to decontextualize and recontextualize fragments from the past. It performs the question of how to see these colonial images today, if we even should see them? Perhaps the only way to be able to show these images is when they are set in motion within a poetic space that aims to do justice to the realities of oppression from which they were taken. I am aware that some of the images in the film are hurtful to see. I am aware that some will see the reuse of these images as a continuation of the violence their taking involved, and that my position as a white European man will enforce this view. Though I have seen instances of this reiteration of colonial violence in cultural products that purport to denounce the colonial past, I do not believe that to show these images, even violent ones, even from my side of the colonial heritage, automatically implies continuing the violence they both document and materialize. I think this happens when not only the images themselves but also the spectacle-form and ideological framework in which they were presented are reproduced, in other words, when the effects of their reproduction are either ignored or anticipated and exploited in the service of this or that agenda. I have not treated this lightly. Broken View does not seek out a shock effect, it does not try to sell a product or resort to cynically rousing controversy to gain attention in an increasingly saturated audio-visual market. Nor do I claim a sort of neutral ground or moral high ground. It is the spectacle-form, the milieu in which these images were made and shown, that I hope the film interrogates and deconstructs. I do this knowing that any deconstruction is also a construction, that my film is also a form, and that there is no inherently unproblematic form. Both the essayistic montage and the collage, the poetics I turned to in this film, bring together elements that often have little to do with one another. They do this, as the writer Brian Dillon wrote about the essay form, ‘in such a way that the scandal or shock of their proximity arrives alongside a conviction that they have always belonged together’.11 So, these images must be accompanied by other images, brought into relation with other, maybe even seemingly unconnected images. These relationships are not comparisons or equations, but the threads of an unfinished fabric, a continuous work of de- and reassembly, a broader, perhaps speculative contextualization. Assemblages are formed in which the figures are brought into each other’s orbit, within a wider frame and into another timeline than those of the photographs they were taken out of, inserting them into new constellations, trying to find new rhythms. In doing so, I hope to make visible some of the brushstrokes with which they were originally made, the power relations these images texturized and helped (helplessly) to fabulate, the purposes they were to serve. The film is an essay, an atlas of sorts, or an album where fragments of images and language exchange their shortcomings, what words can show and what images can say. But what to say? Who is speaking and to whom? The spoken text is not only a feature of the essay film. Magic lantern projections were almost always accompanied by live narration. In the case of mission photography almost always in the explanatory mode, an authoritative register, a man, a priest, who spoke with full authority on what was being projected. There was no doubt in his voice. There is but one truth, and that is the Christian truth. At this stage in the editing process, I am trying to find a balance between different registers of the voice-over. The challenge is to subvert the authority of the colonial voice, to replace it not with silence, but to find another way of speaking, of giving information, to introduce an element of doubt. This can reside in subtle formal gestures, a tone of voice, an emphasis turning into a question mark, repetition, or wordplay. I am not quite sure yet how, but I want to let this informative, authoritative mode disintegrate into a poetic mode. I mean poetry in the sense that it is the opposite of the direct speech of the colonizer. That it is a tentative way of speaking. An essayistic way of speaking if you will. The text becomes a collage of registers, of sources and tones but spoken by a single voice. [Cinema Palace](https://www.cinema-palace.be/nl/film/broken-view) [This article was part of FORUM+ vol. 30 no. 1 | 2, pp. 68-79](https://forum-online.be/en/issues/februari-mei-2023/broken-view-congo-and-the-magic-lantern) **For Dreamers, Coffee shots, Orezza, eau de Saint-Georges !**

Join us for a laid-back **2-hour evening walk** in the green surrouindings of Brussels. Expect a **social, easy-paced stroll** with good company, relaxed vibes, and plenty of time to chat. We'll follow the canal paths and trace the River Zenne, discovering how these waterways shaped the heart of the city. 🕗 **When:** Evening 🚶 **Duration:** About 2 hours 🥤 **Bring your own drink** – something refreshing to enjoy as we walk 💬 **Open to all** – solo walkers, locals, and newcomers alike Let’s walk, relax, and connect—Brussels-style.

Join us for a beautiful Sunday combining **Ghent city vibes** and a visit to one of Belgium’s most stunning castles: **Château d’Ooidonk** 🌿 This is more than just a visit — it’s a **full day experience** with an international group: train journey, lunch, city walk, and a guided castle visit. ✨ We will have **2 English-speaking guides** for the castle visit. ## 🌍 Why join? Many in Belgium don’t get the chance to discover places like Ooidonk — this is a great opportunity to explore Belgian heritage in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Expect: - A **guided visit inside the castle** 🏰 - Access to the **beautiful surrounding gardens** 🌳 - A **day in Ghent city center** - A **friendly international group** - A smooth, well-organized experience ## 📅 Event Plan ### 🚆 Optional: Group Departure from Brussels 📍 **Meeting point:** Bruxelles-Central – on the train platform 🕥 **Meeting time:** **10:30** 🚆 Train departure: **10:43** 👉 We will meet directly on the platform and travel together. ⚠️ Exact platform details will be shared in the WhatsApp group. ### 🍽️ Lunch & Walk in Ghent (optional) 🕛 Around **12:00 – Lunch in Ghent** 🚶 Optional walk through the historic center (canals, Graslei, etc.) ### 🚌 Transport to the Castle - Departure from **Gent Korenmarkt** - Bus **12a** - ~25 min ride - 🚶~ 20–25 min walk to the castle 👉 We’ll go together as a group. ### 🏰 Château d’Ooidonk Visit 🕒 Guided tour: **15:00 sharp** ⏰ Arrival: around **14:45** ### 🔙 Return to Brussels We will head back after the visit. 🕖 **Expected return in Brussels: around 19:00** 👉 Of course, you are free to stay longer in Ghent if you prefer. ## 💰 Pricing **€25 per person for Explorer members** **€20 per person for Ambassador and Voyager members** Includes: - Castle entrance - Garden access - English guided tour 👉 Membership required (from €5/year): [https://www.sundayvacations.com/membership](https://www.sundayvacations.com/membership) ## ⚠️ How to Join (Important) 1. Become a member 2. Join the WhatsApp group (link shared after RSVP) 3. Complete the payment via the links shared in WhatsApp 👉 Your spot is confirmed only after payment. ## 📲 WhatsApp Group The WhatsApp group is essential for: - Payment links - Exact meeting points - Live coordination - Final updates ## ⚠️ Important - Joining from Brussels / Ghent is **optional** - You can also come directly to the castle - Please RSVP only if you intend to join - No-shows impact the group ## 🌿 Optional After the visit, we may go for a drink nearby 🍷 ## ✨ Sunday Vacations Spirit We keep things **easy, social, and welcoming** — no pressure, just good vibes and great experiences. Even if you’re new, it’s very easy to join — we travel and move together as a group 😊

What's up Friends! 👋 

Ready for some bouldering fun? Boulder-what? 🤔 It’s climbing (FR: escalade, le bloc) up to 4.5m high without ropes—and in my case, without much hope! 😂✨ It’s a super fun indoor activity, but be warned: it does require a certain level of physical fitness and/or skill. Most importantly, though, it requires awesome company—which we’ve got! 😎

 The Idea: 📍 Meeting Point: For those arriving at 18:00, we’ll meet at the cafeteria (next to the billiards table). Feel free to start earlier or later—just drop me a message or write in the group chat so we can meet up. 💪 Stay & climb as long as you want - venue closes at midnight! 🥤 Recharge: If you’ve had enough climbing for the day (we usually do this after 2 hours of climbing), we may head back to the cafeteria (or to the rooftop if it's sunny🌤️) for snacks, drinks & games. Cafeteria closes at 22:00. Where: 📍Arkose: (Brussels Canal) Rue Willy de Bruyn Straat 52, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique 🔗 https://arkose.com/

Fees: 🤑Entry fee without shoes: * 18 eur (first-timers 10€ with online promo activated) * reduced rates: students, minors, job seekers, firefighters, military (proof required) 👟 Shoe Rental: 5€ (if you don’t have your own) 🎫 10-session pass: 135€

 Good to Know: ✍️ First-timers need to create an account (takes 5min) - do it in advance and pay online to pay less and avoid wasting time onsite 💦 Hydration is key! Bring a water bottle. 🔐 Lockers available, but bring your own padlock. 🚿 Changing rooms & showers on-site. 👕 Wear comfy sports clothes—it gets intense! 🧴 Only liquid magnesium is allowed (for grip) - in reality most people use powder🤫 👟 Thinking of going regularly? Bouldering shoes are a great investment! (Decathlon: ~45-65€ per pair.)

⚠️ Safety First! Bouldering is fun, but safety comes first! Stay alert, know your limits, and don’t take unnecessary risks. Enjoy responsibly! 💪 

📢 Further details may be shared via the group chat or via DM 💬. Make sure to check your messages 👀 at least on the day before the event to avoid missing critical 🙄 announcements. 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code:
👉Respect and positive vibes, if not 💥🥊
👉Can’t make it? Cancel or drop a message in the chat - helps running things smoothly! 👉 Don't show up if you are on the waiting list or show up at your own risk. 

See you at the walls folks😉

TOPIC (TBD): Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: NIK Collection 8 Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (iPhone images and Christmas Cards). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes: Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles: > You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with? ### Questions to Wrestle With * If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt? * Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep? On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement? I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!

Join us Tuesday (6/2) at 6:30 pm as we hike the Hundred Acre Woods in Westerville. This is a beautiful trail that is filled of hills and roots but a picturesque wooded landscape to hike. Wear your hiking boots if you have them. We will do 2 loops of the 1 mile trail.

Hosted by Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District **Stream Team Sampling Events** Are you interested in the health of local rivers and streams? You can join the Licking County Soil and Water in a Stream Team assessment. These events are a night filled will fun in the water. We look at habitat, biology, and chemical parameters in waterways that indicate how healthy our water is! We would love to see you at one of these events! Family friendly. Free to attend. June Wildwood Park, Granville Where: 785 W Broadway, Granville, OH 43023 Date: 6/11/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. July Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill Where:11324 Mount Vernon Rd, Utica, OH 43080 Date: 7/9/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.