Mandarin

**Cinematek : The Arch** 19/06 @ 18h00 Shu Shuen Tang may not be familiar to mainstream movie lovers or even cinephiles of Chinese cinema, but she was actually the first internationally recognized, award-winning independent filmmaker in Hong Kong. In addition, she also happened to be a woman at a time when the Chinese film industry was controlled by studios run by men like the Shaw Brothers. The studios would only finance commercial films … Tang’s debut film, Dong fu ren, was self-financed and shot in Hong Kong on a limited budget. It garnered four Golden Horse Awards in 1971 including Best Actress (Lisa Lu), Best Cinematography, Best Artistic achievement and, most important of all, the Special Jury Prize of Creative Innovation created and awarded to Tang for this film … In the late 1960s, after her studies at USC, Tang returned to Hong Kong to prepare for the shoot of her first feature, Dong fu ren. The film is set in 17th century China; its protagonist, Madame Tung, is a widow for whom a triumphal arch is to be erected by the king to honour her contributions to her village – the arch being an ancient Chinese symbol of honour. A conflict arises when a young officer is billeted in her house and proceeds to show romantic attachment to both Madame Tung and her daughter. Madame Tung must choose between her own desire and her duty as a widow and mother, a situation that foregrounds the cruelty of societal pressure on a woman whose voice has been taken away from her after the passing of her husband … a similar expression of female suppression had never before been seen in Chinese films … Although Tang had been immersed in the American film scene, Dong fu ren does not resemble a Hollywood production as one might expect. “The subject matter is actually very cinematic. When I finished writing the script I gave it to my professor at USC to read, and he said that it was not a filmable script, because it was about the interior feelings of a woman who had no outlet to express them, and the plot had too few characters. But that is exactly why I thought it is good material for the cinema!” Alice Shih, “Cineaction”, no. 94, 2014 [Cinematek](https://cinematek.be/2026-06-19-18-00/dong-fu-ren) [Il Cinema Ritrovato, Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna](https://ilcinemaritrovato.it/en/film/the-arch/) **For Dreamers, Coffee shots, Orezza, eau de Saint-Georges !**

Join us every Wednesday for an authentic Korean experience in the heart of Brussels! 🇰🇷✨ Let’s share Soju, delicious Korean food, fun karaoke sessions, and plenty of good vibes. Don’t miss our photo booth moments and the chance to meet amazing new people from all over the world! 🎉 Free entry, just order at least one drink to support the venue. 📍 Gyosang, Rue Sainte-Catherine 8, Brussels 🕢 Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Come for the language exchange, stay for the laughter, food, and Soju! 🍶🎤

Join us for an energizing Qi Gong class focused on physical exercise techniques that help cultivate and balance your energy. Qi Gong is a traditional Chinese practice that combines movement, breathing, and meditation to improve overall well-being. In this session, you will learn various exercises aimed at enhancing physical strength, flexibility, and vitality. Whether you are a beginner or have experience with Qi Gong, this class is designed to help you connect with your inner energy and feel rejuvenated. Come discover the power of Qi Gong and train your body and mind for better health and harmony.

✨ **Meet new people in Brussels in a friendly, relaxed and international atmosphere.** The ambience is relatively quiet, calm and sober for easy-going casual conversation, with no chaos and loud party music in the background! 🍻 Large selection of **drinks and food** available 🌍 **Internationals, expats & locals** welcome 💪 Organized weekly **since early 2025** 🌳 We have a **private outdoor garden** at the back of the brasserie entirely reserved for our Meetup throughout the whole summer! 📱Please **join our WhatsApp community** via the following invite link for receiving all the latest updates regarding this and many other social events in Bruxelles: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 **Over 10,000 members** **overall in our multicultural and diverse Brussels community!** Many of our participants work in EU institutions, NGOs, tech and international organizations. The event was also covered in a recent article from Brussels Times: [https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1949146/euromeet-the-real-life-brussels-social-network) 😀 Our events usually attract **30–40 attendees each week**, with an age average of around 35 years old (the event announcement is relayed across multiple social media, not just on this page). Many participants come with friends or colleagues, so feel free to bring someone along! 👩 Our events usually also attract a **balanced mix of men and women**, and many participants attend solo for the first time. The organizer and host of the event will help introduce you to other participants, in case you don't know anyone else yet when you first arrive at the event. Our events remain a relaxed international social meetup experience focused on friendship, conversation and community — **not a dating event.** 🩷 **Safe, respectful environment, and zero tolerance for any harassment!** The organizer is always present all evening in case of problems. You can also leave any anonymous feedback about the event here under this form: [https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form](https://gmogni.aidaform.com/brasserie-meetup-feedback-form) **.** Looking to meet new people and expand your social circle in Brussels, as well as your network of professional contacts? Join us **every Friday evening anytime from 18:30** **and until at least 23h** **at** **the** **“Quartier Leopold”** **brasserie**, in the heart of the famous Place du Luxembourg in front of the European Parliament, for a fun, relaxed night of **drinks, food, spontaneous conversations, and great vibes**! 💛 . 📍 **Location**: “Quartier Leopold” brasserie, Pl. du Luxembourg 9, 1050 Ixelles 📌 **Google Maps**: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/oCvSP1AGZNX2ZV3C8) (don't worry if you see the bar marked as "closed" on Google Maps for the Friday nights, they will always be open for us!) **🌐 Website of the venue**: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/en) 📸 **Pictures gallery from previous events:** [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LRbsinA1wEtUrDhlyw8K6Uz9YKeq0_dw?usp=sharing) . ✨ **Why you’ll love it**: ✅ **Everyone is welcome**, even if you don’t know anyone else yet—expats, locals, newcomers, solo adventurers, or groups! ✅ **Best time for newcomers:** 18:30–19:30, when it’s easier to meet people. ✅ Completely **free to attend**—just grab a drink and join the fun! Please ask the bartenders when you arrive if unsure where to find our meetup group and tables ✅ Possibility to make also useful **professional exchanges and networking** with other participants who work in similar domains, so remember to bring also your business card! ✅ Tons of **indoor and outdoor space available.** ✅ Possibility to have **dinner at the brasserie** during the meetup (until 22h), thanks to its comprehensive selection of dishes available in the menu: [https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0](https://www.quartier-leopold.be/web/content/1467?unique=b27f82e985f525417a92cbeaf0f1ac1c5e2fb4a0) ✅ **Want to keep the night going?** After the meetup, we often continue as a group to explore nightlife hotspots in the city center. . 💬 **Stay connected with our Community**: ▶️ Join our **Facebook/Messenger chat** to get updates and easily find the group on arrival:[ ](https://m.me/ch/Abaqvj9lxNT3_xh7/ "https://m.me/ch/Abaqvj9lxNT3_xh7/")[https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/](https://m.me/ch/AbaV86vk4SHop_eD/) ▶️ Otherwise, if you prefer to use **WhatsApp**, please join this other group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMjWrr9wCR7JYsudMD6XV0) ▶️ And don’t forget to join our **EuroMeet Facebook group** for many more social events in Brussels: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet](https://www.facebook.com/groups/euromeet) ▶️ Finally, we also manage a **professional networking group on LinkedIn** as well, for more easily retrieving each other's LinkedIn profiles and identifying people who also work in similar domains: [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13194613/) . Come alone or bring a friend—either way, you’ll leave with **new friends, great memories, and maybe even some ideas on how to develop further your professional career!** See you this Friday! 🍻✨😀 . 📧 **Got questions or comments?** Reach out to the **organizer Gabriele**: gabriele.mogni@gmail.com . **Our community values respect and inclusiveness**. If you ever feel uncomfortable, the organizer is present all evening to help. . 👉 Please **Sign Up via this page** if you would like to attend our next event, so that we can plan accordingly. . *** #BrusselsMeetup #MeetupBrussels #BrusselsEvents #BrusselsSocial #MeetNewPeople #MakeNewFriends #ExpatsInBrussels #ExpatLifeBrussels #InternationalBrussels #InternationalFriends #BrusselsLife #SocialInBrussels #BrusselsCommunity #BrusselsNetworking #AfterWorkBrussels #FridayVibes #FridayNight #PlaceLuxembourg #EuropeanQuarter #EUQuarter #BrusselsExpats #BrusselsFriends #SocialEventsBrussels #BrusselsNightlife #BelgiumEvents #DiscoverBrussels #NewInBrussels #BrusselsActivities #EuroMeet #BrusselsTogether

Meet and make the new Friends✨❤️

🇬🇧 EN 🇬🇧 🔥 SALSA CUBANA CLASSES ARE BACK 🔥 We are delighted to see you again for the start of the 2025/26 academic year 👉 Find all the needed information on our website : **[https://danzamania.be/](https://danzamania.be/horaires/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUjNGU3gzRWdsUFlWMGJMQgEeCHgiKV40mum5hOp5szt0Lxx3U-5DyHO_wR_ZJekcr_m7EFRdpcRthKRV9EU_aem_W6hFXCri8O6Kd9el-RIuIQ)** ✅ PROGRAMME ✅ 👉 TUESDAY 16/09 7:00-8:00 pm - Salsa Level 1A @ Salle Oxygène - Angie, Octavia & Raffa 8:15-9:15 pm - Salsa Niveau 1B\* @ Salle Ste Suzanne - Tine & Sam 8:00-9:00 pm - Salsa Cubana Level 2 @ Salle Oxygène - Angie, Octavia & Raffa \*The Level 1B course is the same as the Level 1A course. It will be taught by Tine & Samuel and starts at 8.15 p.m. It allows those who wish to arrive one hour later and have a group of about 10 people. 👉 WEDNESDAY 17/09 7:00-7:30 pm - Body Expression @ Salle Oxygène - Yusnay, Tine & Raffa 7:30-8:30 pm - Salsa Level 3 @ Salle Oxygène - Yusnay, Tine & Raffa 8:30-9:30 pm - Salsa Level 4 @ Salle Oxygène - Yusnay, Tine & Raffa 👉 THURSDAY 18/09 8:00-9:00 pm - Cuban Salsa Partnerwork - Level 1 + @ Studio Empain - Zoli 9:00-10:00 pm - Cuban Salsa Partnerwork - Level 2 + @ Studio Empain - Zoli 👉 FRIDAY 19/09 8:30-9:30 pm - Rueda de Casino @ Vibrato - Team Danza Mania 9:30-12:30 am - Practica & Entertainment with DJ Joel 💃 Dale Mambo🕺

Ciao a tutti! Ci ritroviamo ogni venerdì dalle 18:30 per un bicchiere (si può anche mangiare) da Poppy's Bar, che si trova a 2 minuti di camminata da Parvis St Gilles. Un tavolo per 20 persone è riservato sotto il nome di Salvatore. Dunque, se non ci sono o se sarò in ritardo, potrete chiedere al barista. È un incontro informale, perché non è un evento strutturato, ma piuttosto un gruppo di persone che si riuniscono per parlare e praticare l'italiano. Anche i nativi italiani sono benvenuti :) Tutto ciò che serve è un sorriso — e puoi anche portare un amico! 👉 **Importante:** * È obbligatorio essere iscritti all’evento su Meetup per partecipare. L’iscrizione è importante per gli organizzatori, perché permette di conoscere il numero dei partecipanti e di garantire la sicurezza e il benessere di tutti i presenti. * Se cambiano le vostre circostanze e non potete più venire, annullate la vostra partecipazione per lasciare posto ad altri. * Vi chiediamo di assicuravi di pagare i vostri consumi, per evitare che gli organizatori saranno rimasti a pagare per gli altri. * Per mantenere un’atmosfera piacevole e rilassata per tutti, vi chiediamo anche di evitare discutere delle temi volgare, * Si prega di non parlare di politica cosi ci godiama la serata in tranquilita, di rispettare tutti i partecipanti e di non trattare l’incontro come un appuntamento romantici o intimo: l’obiettivo è semplicemente praticare e migliorare l’italiano in un ambiente piacevole e rilassato. PS : FR - Table de conversation en italien chaque vendredi de 18h30 à 22h00 au bar Poppy's, à deux minutes à pied du Parvis St-Gilles" (adresse : rue de Moscou 11, 1060 Saint-Gilles) NL - Praattafel in het Italiaans elke vrijdag van 18.30 tot 22.00 uur in de Poppys bar, op twee minuten lopen van Sint-Gillisvoorplein (adres: 11 Moskoustraat, 1060 Sint-Gillis) EN - Conversation table in Italian every Friday from 18:30 till 22:00 at Poppy's, 2 minutes walk from tram stop Parvis Saint-Gilles (address : Rue de Moscou 11, 1060 Saint-Gilles) ES - Mesa de conversación en Italiano cada viernes desde las 18:30 hasta las 22:00 en el bar Poppy's, a dos minutos a pie de la parada del tranvia Parvis St-Gilles (direccion: Rue de Moscou 11, 1060 Saint-Gilles)

Looking for an easy Sunday outdoors with good company, fresh air, and a beautiful lakeside setting? Join Sunday Vacations for a community day trip to Hofstade, one of the most popular nature and recreation areas near Brussels. We'll spend the day enjoying nature, sharing a picnic, walking around the park, and relaxing by the lake. Whether you're new to Brussels, an expat looking to meet people, or simply looking for a refreshing Sunday outdoors, this is a great opportunity to slow down, connect, and enjoy the start of summer together. **Plan / Itinerary** 09:15 Meet in front of Starbucks at Brussels Central Station 09:32 Train departure to Hofstade 10:40 Arrival at Hofstade 10:45 – 12:30 Nature Walk Around the Park We'll begin the day with a relaxed walk around the beautiful Hofstade domain, taking in the lakeside scenery, nature trails, and summer atmosphere while getting to know fellow participants. 12:30 – 16:00 Picnic & Beach Time After the walk, we'll settle at the beach area by the lake for a community picnic. Bring your favourite food, snacks, and drinks and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together by the water. The afternoon is yours to enjoy: Relax on the beach Meet new people Enjoy the sunshine Swim in the lake if you wish Play games or simply unwind by the water Around 16:15 Departure from Hofstade Approximately 17:30 Arrival at Brussels Central Station **Price / Contribution** Participants are responsible for: Train tickets Food and drinks for the picnic Personal expenses Become part of the Sunday Vacations community: 🔹 Explorer – from €5/year 🔹 Voyager – from €50/year 🔹 Ambassador – from €150/year Membership supports the growth of our community and helps us organise more social, cultural, and outdoor experiences throughout the year. **Who This Is For** This event is perfect for: International professionals Expats living in Belgium Locals interested in meeting international people Nature lovers Solo joiners Anyone looking for a relaxed and social Sunday outdoors No hiking experience required. **What To Bring** Picnic lunch Water bottle Comfortable walking shoes Sunscreen Swimwear and towel (optional) **Legal Disclaimer** Sunday Vacations is a community initiative operated by UJAMAA ASBL and acts solely as a community organiser. Transportation, food, beverages, entrance fees, and any third-party services are arranged and paid for individually by participants unless explicitly stated otherwise. Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework. VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code. Participation is voluntary and at your own responsibility. **Ready to Join?** Swap the city for nature, meet great people, and enjoy a summer Sunday by the lake. Reserve your spot and join us for a relaxed day of connection, fresh air, and good company. See you at Brussels Central Station! 🌞🏖️

What's up Friends! 👋 If the weather gods feel generous 🌤️, we’re going full park mode: picnic 🧺🌳, games, laughs… and a touch of chaos ✨ ‼️If not - we'll switch to the usual indoor format at Le Pantin or Café Leopold PDN. 📍Where Park Cinquantenaire, Tour de Tournai 🏰 (that little castle-looking thingy in the park). Can’t find us? 🤷‍♀️ Just ping me here. 💡 The Idea Chill picnic: bring your own drinks 🧃, snacks 🥪🍓, blanket, and games 🎲🏸 (sharing always appreciated 😋). We’ll break into small groups depending on the vibe: games, chats, sports. ⏱️ Timing We kick off at 14:00. Stay as long as you like. Joining later? Just drop a message in the chat in case we decide to move 😊. 🎲🏸 Games All games are welcome in the park - boards, cards, balls, random stuff! I’ll have a few with me, but feel free to add your own favorites too. 🚦On the waitlist but really want to join? Or got any questions? Just DM me. 📢 Extra info might drop in the group chat or via DM 💬. Check your messages 👀 the day before so you don't miss anything critical 🙄. 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code: 👉 Games we play = group decision 👉 Smaller groups = cozier vibes 👉 Got a favorite game? Suggest it or show up with it 👉 Can't make it? Cancel on time so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot 👉 If you’re on the waitlist, showing up is at your own risk 😄 See you there, folks 😉

Has it been just you and your phone lately? It’s easy to feel connected yet still feel alone. Digital interactions can’t replace the warmth of eye contact, real laughter, and meaningful conversations. True connection happens when we step away from our screens and show up as ourselves — present, open, and engaged. At Fast Friending, we create spaces where real relationships begin. - just genuine conversations and shared moments. Because nothing compares to meeting face-to-face, discovering common ground, and walking away with a connection that truly feels real. **You will need to buy a ticket for attending -** [https://brusselswise20.eventbrite.co.uk](https://brusselswise20.eventbrite.co.uk) \*You can use any debit or credit card to purchase your ticket at PayPal checkout. It will ask you for your email address but that is only to send you a receipt. You do not need a PayPal account. TICKETS:- Early Bird - €5 per person Regular Ticket - €10 per person Cash at Meetup - If you do not purchase tickets in advance then you can pay €15 cash to your host Tanya when you meet her at the event. \- We will meet at 7\.00 pm when you will be welcomed by your host Tanya\. She will manage the evening and also help you make connections\. If you are a bit shy or anxious then please come early. Tanya will help you meet other members in a small group and help you settle down and get comfortable. All attendees are also welcome to bring a lady friend along with them for free. This will make it a lot less stressful for you as you will always have your friend alongside. \- From 7\.30 to 8\.30 pm\, we will start 'Fast Friending' where our host will ask you to speak to a different attendee every 3 minutes\. You will be able to meet lots of ladies and gentlemen and not be limited to only those sitting or standing next you\. \- After 8\.30 pm you will have time to interact with those you have met as well as others\. \- We are not a close knit tight group\. Our evenings are warm and comfortable for members attending for the first time and those coming alone\. You will not feel alone\! \- We have many groups in this city\. Members of our other groups who RSVP are included as guests of the organisers in order to give you an indication of expected people\. \- This evening is for ladies and gents in the 21 to 40 age group\. While some will be at the younger end of this range there will also be others at the other end of the range and lots in\-between\! You will naturally gel with others of your own age range and so you will always find many attendees who fit your range\. \- We are not a 'dating' group\. We are focused on helping ladies and gents meet other like minded ladies and gents\. You will generally find a good gender balance \(maybe not perfect\) at all our events\. Why do we have tickets? 1. Cover our costs - Our host is compensated for their time and work. We also pay meetup and have dedicated staff to manage our events, hosts, venues and communication. 2. Group Safety - By securing your ticket we have a record and you contribute to a well organized evening where everyone is more committed and better behaved. 3. Management - Tickets help us better manage attendee group size, book suitable space and activity. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ABOUT [fastfriends.co.uk ](https://fastfriends.co.uk/)- We have connected members successfully for the past 10 years in over 30 cities (operating as Expatsclub, MeetConnectDevelop and fastfriends.co.uk). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- You can contact our founder Dan on +447715705005 with any questions or ideas. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Here are some videos which will give you some guidance and comfort to make your attendance more productive.** Secrets of socializing at our meetups - [http://bit.ly/secrets-socializing](http://bit.ly/secrets-socializing) How to make new friends - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GB0Hc_bSs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GB0Hc_bSs) How to make people like you at our socials -[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4guProkKrI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4guProkKrI) Why you should attend our evenings - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEjwGBXzJE8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEjwGBXzJE8) Member feedback -[ https://youtu.be/zHOPHMg_7es?si=kK2A-MjisVue-jdw](https://youtu.be/zHOPHMg_7es?si=kK2A-MjisVue-jdw)

. Find us on Facebook to see what's actually happening. Bring your own knitting or crochet project and join other people who enjoy yarn crafts for a relaxing couple of hours on Saturday afternoons. The 1st Saturday of the month is not an in-person meet-up, but on zoom. All people and all levels welcome, including beginners, whom we are happy to help get started (although we don't run classes). No charge. All you need is some yarn and a crochet hook or a pair of knitting needles. We are very friendly so don't be shy. The venue may change from time to time so please check back on the day before the event to be sure you have it right. We mostly speak English, but people in the group are very international and speak many languages. Looking forward to seeing you.

**🪄 Cleveland's Speed Dating Scene, Now on Zoom** > It's speed dating, made comfortable — Cleveland singles, your sofa, and Zoom doing all the heavy lifting. **How the evening unfolds:** 🔹 Drop your details and zip through a quick personality quiz 🔹 Log into Zoom right at go-time 🔹 Cycle through short one-on-ones with Cleveland singles 🔹 Check your inbox tomorrow — your matches will be waiting --- **Ready? Find your bracket and sign up:** 🔸 **Ages 18-32** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=18-32&face_v=9.0) 🔸 **Ages 30-46** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=30-46&face_v=9.0) 🔸 **Ages 40-58** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=40-58&face_v=9.0) 🔸 **Ages 55+** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=55+&face_v=9.0) _Reminder: RSVP on Meetup doesn't get you a seat. You need to register through your age link and complete the quiz. Numbers are capped._ --- A room full of possibilities is just one link away. 🎯

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection? * And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.

Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves. The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate. 730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves 830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate) 15 for One Class 20 for Both Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space. Viva Dance Columbus 2809 Festival Lane Dublin OH 43017

Come join us for lunch together at Bendi Wok, one of my favorites!

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 meet for pizza 1st at Mikey’s Late Night Slice which is connected to Pins! Then we will bowl (no heavy balls involved)**

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month Chris Pazsint will be talking about Agentic Coding. How does one use CLI Based Agents, and Agentic IDEs such as Cursor, Kiro, Antigravity? How to include agentic coding plugins for IDEs you already love such as Visual Studio Code. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com