Microsoft

Let’s do some coding together at a cafe! No more working alone in the weekend. Here, we write code together. And I mean together together. Not occupying-the-same-space-but-separate together. Here’s how it works: Jennifer brings her mobile app project, tells everyone that it is like Pinterest for recipes and she’d like to work on the nav bar. Paul and Chloe think Jennifer's project is fascinating, and they join the group. They gather around Jennifer’s laptop and work on the nav bar for 2 hours. Jennifer is the one typing out the code while Paul and Chloe research, brainstorm, and offer suggestions. If you’re feeling stuck on your own project or need a motivation boost, bring it to mob programming! Want to learn by watching how others code and solve problems? Join someone else’s project at this event! Oh and we love your half-done projects that you are a bit embarrassed to share. Absolutely bring those to the event! **Discord**: We use Discord to share screen & code snippets during the event. Also feel free to share your projects here before the event! https://discord.gg/Da9fZFxPfs **Event policy**: * We have 0 tolerance for harassment. * We don’t allow the projects that are not meant to be shared in public such as school assignments, interview tasks, or trade secrets. * The goal is to write code. We discourage you from pitching business ideas here, doing code reviews, or spending the whole event on planning what to do. * Please buy a drink, and tip the barista well.

[Summary] This meetup is for those who are interested in code, web development, design, cloud, or AI. All levels are welcome, so feel free to bring your laptop and discuss what you are working on or what you are learning. You can share your projects and ideas with other participants freely. There are outlets and WiFi, drinks are about $5 for tea, they take card only. [Price] Attendance is FREE. But you need to buy something from the venue. [Policies] \- We do not tolerate harassment of our members \- We remind users that that this meetup is intended for networking and hobby development\, and any attempts at using this meetup event as a dating platform will not be not be tolerated Further information: https://torontostack.exchange/

*Show & Tell* Hey everyone! We’re doing another Show & Tell this Saturday. For those new or haven’t been to one yet, here’s the idea: Bring something you’re working on, something you’ve created, or even just something meaningful to you. Could be anything – a project you’re building, something you found beautiful, something collecting dust that you want to dust off. *What people have shared before:* • Stories or books they’re writing • Drawings, paintings, watercolor techniques • Woodwork, crochet, knitting • 3D prints and designs • Figurines they’ve crafted • Academic work or thesis projects • Lucky coins (objects with a story) It’s about how an ordinary object becomes extraordinary when you share its story. What looks like just a coin to someone else carries this whole journey, and suddenly everyone’s delighting in it with you. That’s what happens when we share what’s personal and meaningful. It creates this cross-pollination – you see someone’s woodwork and remember that instrument you’ve been meaning to pick back up. Someone shares their writing and it sparks something in you. We inspire each other, motivate each other, appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship we’re all cultivating. It’s a way of coming back to what matters, what actually nurtures us rather than exhausts us. Bring your craft, your lucky coin, or just yourself. All levels welcome – budding, aspiring, or seasoned.

Each week there is some recommended readings to be done before we meet. **Please see the attached schedule for this week's readings.** The Bible Timeline® study program takes you on a guided journey through salvation history. Presenter Jeff Cavins will show you how fourteen of the Bible’s narrative books tell the biblical story from beginning to end and will give you the keys to understanding the amazing story woven throughout Scripture. The Bible Timeline will teach you how to read and understand the entire Bible and introduce you to the wonderful narrative of Scripture in a way that will transform your life. The online material can be bought online through the link below (optional). However, each session we can share copies for you to have discussion questions in class and reading guideline for the next session. https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation-online-video-access

Anyone with a **GENUINE INTEREST** in Italian language, culture and cuisine is invited to register for our event. ☆☆☆ Siete invitati al nostro Meetup d'italiano. Portate uno o piu amici e le vostre storie da raccontare! La consumazione è "alla romana". (Cioè, 'spartire equamente fra amici una spesa comune'). You are invited to our Italian Meetup event. Bring your friends and your stories to share! The event is "Dutch treat" (I.e., 'each participant pays for their share of the expenses'). ☆☆☆ For additional information, please click on any of the following: **(1) [ABOUT THE GROUP](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000015-c988dc988e/IMG_6067.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **(2) Q&A WITH ONE OF THE MEMBERS REGARDING:** **— (i) [Our TWO-STEP registration process.](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000022-543ec543ee/IMG_6040-0.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **— (ii) [ITALIAN LANGUAGE](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000020-95aaa95aaf/IMG_6038.webp?ph=b7d9291998)**[ ](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000020-95aaa95aaf/IMG_6038.webp?ph=b7d9291998)**[spoken at the events.](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000020-95aaa95aaf/IMG_6038.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **— (iii) [The RESTAURANT INDUSTRY – A note](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000023-cdd84cdd88/IMG_6027.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **— (iv) [COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000021-b85d3b85d5/IMG_6104-5.webp?ph=b7d9291998)** **(3) [GROUP POSTER](https://b7d9291998.cbaul-cdnwnd.com/52bb3e99c6e6efb7ad44634ef7e60e61/200000026-bdb2bbdb2e/IMG_6121.jpeg?ph=b7d9291998)** ☆☆☆ We are pleased to advise that we will no longer be collecting the three dollar Meetup Organizer fee. ☆☆☆ As this is a group on the **MEETUP DOT COM** platform, it is important to note that **ALL MESSAGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS** will flow through the Meetup website. For any members enroled in an event, please check this website from time to time for any updates. ☆☆☆ **TO REGISTER**: (1) You **MUST FIRST** join the Waitlist!! (2) **YOU WILL THEN** be contacted by the Organizer, who will clarify all details and answer any questions you may have. (3) **FINALLY**, your name will be added to the 'Attendees' list. Grazie per la comprensione, Amici. Non vediamo l’ora di vedervi alla cena. Carlo

～English description below～ イベント参加費として、日本人の方(日本で生まれ育ち、現在英語を勉強している方)は$2、日本人以外の方(日本語を勉強している方)は$5頂いております。 皆さんから頂いたお金は、こちらのサイトの維持費や将来のランゲージエクスチェンジ施設利用料やソーシャルイベント等のために使われます。ご理解の程、よろしくお願いいたします。 予約受付開始：土曜日5:00PM(前イベント終了後) 予約取消締切：土曜日14:00PM(当日) 予約受付締切：土曜日15:00PM(当日) スケジュール 5.15 PM - 5:30PM - チェックイン、グループ分け 5:30 PM - 6:15PM - 日本語の時間［または英語の時間］ 6:15PM - 7:00 PM - 英語の時間［または日本語の時間］ 【イベント内容】 Language Exchangeへようこそ！このグループでは、皆さんのレベルに応じて、3〜4名のグループにわかれ、同じ席になった人たちで各45分間、それぞれ英語と日本語でフリートークを行なっていただきます。決まったディスカッショントピックなどはございませんので、気軽に質問をしながらそれぞれのセッションを楽しんでいただければと思います。 開催場所：Atrium フードコート TJEXのサインボードを持ったオーガナイザーにお声がけください。(もしサインがなかったり、わからなければメッセージをお願いします！) 予約規約（⚠️重要） ・当日の不参加、もしくは15分以上の遅刻、また予約取消締切後の変更は原則不参加(No-Show)とみなします。不参加(No-show)が3回になりますと会員登録が抹消され、退会となりますのでご注意ください。 ・イベントに遅れそうな場合は必ずオーガナイザーまでメッセージをお願いします。イベント開始時間にいるメンバーでグループを組み直すこともあるので、連絡なしで到着された場合はイベントに参加できない可能性もあります。原則、30分以上遅れての参加はご遠慮いただいております。あらかじめご了承ください。 キャンセル待ち ・満席の場合、”キャンセル待ち”リスト(waiting-list)にご登録いただくことが可能です。“参加予定”リスト（going-list)中に空席が発生した場合は、”キャンセル待ち”への登録が早かった方を優先に、オーガナイザーが”参加予定”へ移動しますので、当日の参加状況の変更がないかご自身でご確認ください。 ※ご注意※ ・空席ができた際は、自動的に”キャンセル待ち”より”参加予定”へ変更されます。この時にMeetupよりお知らせがあるかはわかりません。 ・システムにより自動的に”参加予定”とされ、それに気づかずに参加しなかった場合でも、不参加とみなされますのでご了承ください。 Instagramアカウント @tjex.ca 最新情報やミートアップの様子を掲載しています。 ぜひこちらもフォローお願いします！ *** ***Although our group is a non-profit organization, we collect $ 5 per English Speaker for every event. All the proceeds are used to run this website and for social events*** RSVP: RSVP open: 5:00 PM (Saturday after previous event) RSVP cancel deadline: Saturday, 2:00 PM (day of the event) RSVP close: Saturday, 3:00 PM (day of the event) Day of Event: 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM - Check-in and Group placement 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM - Japanese conversation 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM - English conversation Event Description: This is an in-person language exchange! Members are placed into groups of three or four based on their language level. Each 45 minute session consists of friendly casual conversation, and/or informal study. Optional Dinner : After the Language event, we usually go for Dinner. Dinner is optional, you may or may not join the Dinner, it depends on you. However, Dinner is only for Participants that joined on the day of the event. Event Location: Atrium Food Court The food court is directly connected to the Dundas subway station. Leave the subway station and walk west along Dundas Street. At the intersection of Bay Street and Dundas Street, you will find an entrance. Proceed down the escalator. The food court is on the basement floor. Please talk to the organizer with the signboard showing TJEX. (If you can’t find them, please send a message to the organizer.) ⚠️RSVP & Late Policy: If you are unable to join on the day of the event, please change your status from 'going-list' to 'not going-list'. Failure to Not show up will result in 1 No -Show. Also, in case of arriving 15 mins late to the event will result in 1 No-Show. Members are removed from the group after 3 No-Shows. Waiting List: Members can join the waiting-list even if an event is full. When a spot becomes available, we will move you to the going-list. Going List: Only Members on the going-list can participate on the day of the event. Group Instagram - @tjex.ca Feel free to follow us!

🌟 Introducing **AI Innovation Vanguard** — Our **Free**, **Exclusive Co-Create AI Community** Feeling behind in the AI wave? Want to stay updated with the latest AI developments? Torpedo Rapid Studio is excited to launch our new AI community — AI Innovation Vanguard — bringing together early adopters, professionals, and innovators who want to explore and play with our new AI solutions before public release. Members of the AI Innovation Vanguard will receive: ✅ Exclusive early access to our new AI tools ✅ Voice your challenges and influence how our AI products are developed ✅ Opportunity to incorporate our AI solutions into your work to boost efficiency and simplify daily tasks And it’s completely **free**! We’re excited to **release multiple upcoming AI tool prototypes** across multiple industries, built by diverse AI engineers very soon. **Vanguard members from all backgrounds** will get **exclusive early access**! ✨ Join AI Innovation Vanguard today: forms.gle/xLGebMTyAAJegdoJ7 ✨ Torpedo's Linkedin: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/torpedo-rapid-studio/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/torpedo-rapid-studio/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/torpedo-rapid-studio/") Be part of the innovation journey and help shape the future of AI solutions! [#AI](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23ai&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED "https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23ai&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED") [#Innovation](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23innovation&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED "https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23innovation&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED") [#AITools](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23aitools&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED "https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23aitools&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED") [#TechCommunity](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23techcommunity&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED "https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23techcommunity&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED") [#EarlyAccess](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23earlyaccess&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED "https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23earlyaccess&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED") [#Productivity](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23productivity&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED "https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23productivity&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED")

# 🚊✨ FIRST RIDE: The Eglinton Crosstown Adventure + Brunch! 🥂🥞 We’ve waited YEARS for this moment… and now it’s finally here. So let’s do something a little different. A little unique. A little “only our group would do this.” 😄 We’re riding the **first stretch of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT** from **Kennedy Station to Eglinton Station** — about a 40-minute ride (fingers crossed 🤞). And we’re not rushing. We’re not commuting. We’re not stressed about missing our stop. We’re just… riding. 🚊💛 Sitting back. Taking it all in. Watching the city glide by. Chatting. Laughing. People-watching. Experiencing a brand-new piece of Toronto history together. Because honestly? There’s something kind of magical about riding transit with no agenda — just connection and curiosity. And when we arrive? We reward ourselves with **brunch at The Pickle Barrel**. 🍳🥓☕ 👉 **Pickle Barrel** **Menu:** [Click Here!](https://www.picklebarrel.ca/en/menu.html?s=3558) New train. Great company. Brunch. Tell me that’s not a perfect weekend plan. 👉 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) *** ## ⚠️ Important Notes ### 🍽️ Restaurant Reservations Reservations will be made in advance. Members who change their RSVP on the day of or do not show up will be removed from the group — no exceptions. We want to stay in good standing with the restaurant and respect their time. Thank you for understanding! 💛 *** ### ❄️ Weather Policy Please don’t sign up unless you’re comfortable coming out in all types of weather. This event will happen **unless the LRT can’t run.** 🚊 *** ## 📍 Meetup Details 📌 **Meetup Location:** Inside **Kennedy Subway Station** at the **BUS PLATFORM AREA by the Gateway on the GO**....We will only wait 10mins We will ALL walk over to the LRT together. It’s easy to find — just look for **Mathew in his famous Moose Hat!** 🫎🎩 💰 **Meetup Fee:** $5 cash in person or e-transfer to **mathewmaclean@hotmail.com** 📍 **End Spot:** Yonge & Eglinton *** ## 🚪 Can I Leave Early? Absolutely! Stay for the ride, stay for brunch, or stay for both. If you’re not joining for lunch, just let us know — no pressure. 💛 👉 You’re also welcome to just show up on the day if you’re not 100% sure you can make it. ⚠️ Occasionally things happen and events may need to be cancelled — please keep an eye out for updates. *** 👤 **Organizer:** Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com** *** 🚊✨ Come be part of Toronto history. Let’s ride the Crosstown together — and brunch like champions after. 🥂🍳

# 🚊✨ FIRST RIDE: The Eglinton Crosstown Adventure + Brunch! 🥂🥞 We’ve waited YEARS for this moment… and now it’s finally here. So let’s do something a little different. A little unique. A little “only our group would do this.” 😄 We’re riding the **first stretch of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT** from **Kennedy Station to Eglinton Station** — about a 40-minute ride (fingers crossed 🤞). And we’re not rushing. We’re not commuting. We’re not stressed about missing our stop. We’re just… riding. 🚊💛 Sitting back. Taking it all in. Watching the city glide by. Chatting. Laughing. People-watching. Experiencing a brand-new piece of Toronto history together. Because honestly? There’s something kind of magical about riding transit with no agenda — just connection and curiosity. And when we arrive? We reward ourselves with **brunch at The Pickle Barrel**. 🍳🥓☕ 👉 **Pickle Barrel** **Menu:** [Click Here!](https://www.picklebarrel.ca/en/menu.html?s=3558) New train. Great company. Brunch. Tell me that’s not a perfect weekend plan. 👉 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) *** ## ⚠️ Important Notes ### 🍽️ Restaurant Reservations Reservations will be made in advance. Members who change their RSVP on the day of or do not show up will be removed from the group — no exceptions. We want to stay in good standing with the restaurant and respect their time. Thank you for understanding! 💛 *** ### ❄️ Weather Policy Please don’t sign up unless you’re comfortable coming out in all types of weather. This event will happen **unless the LRT can’t run.** 🚊 *** ## 📍 Meetup Details 📌 **Meetup Location:** Inside **Kennedy Subway Station** at the **BUS PLATFORM AREA by the Gateway on the GO**....We will only wait 10mins We will ALL walk over to the LRT together. It’s easy to find — just look for **Mathew in his famous Moose Hat!** 🫎🎩 💰 **Meetup Fee:** $5 cash in person or e-transfer to **mathewmaclean@hotmail.com** 📍 **End Spot:** Yonge & Eglinton *** ## 🚪 Can I Leave Early? Absolutely! Stay for the ride, stay for brunch, or stay for both. If you’re not joining for lunch, just let us know — no pressure. 💛 👉 You’re also welcome to just show up on the day if you’re not 100% sure you can make it. ⚠️ Occasionally things happen and events may need to be cancelled — please keep an eye out for updates. *** 👤 **Organizer:** Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com** *** 🚊✨ Come be part of Toronto history. Let’s ride the Crosstown together — and brunch like champions after. 🥂🍳

Join us for a Toronto meetup of creative coders! Instead of our usual show-and-tell, this will be a **work session!** If you're looking for some motivation to tinker on a creative project, now's your chance! **What is creative code?** *Creative coding* refers to anything with an artistic component that uses code as a medium. We welcome artists who use code (for visuals, audio, poetry, or whatever else), designers, animators, toolmakers, researchers, or just enjoyers and people looking to learn more! **Location:** Impact Kitchen on Queens Quay (88 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 0B6) **Join our discord** if you want to talk to everyone before/after the event, or have any suggestions for things you'd like to see or do! [https://discord.gg/ux9txXPsdJ](https://discord.gg/ux9txXPsdJ)

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 3:30pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

This is an opportunity to meet up for some LGBTQ2IA-flavoured gaming and socializing—allies also welcome. Come for the gaming, socializing, and the drinks! :) Be sure to invite friends and such, too. We’ll be in the larger area towards the back. You'll have access to a robust library of board games, and attendees are welcome to bring their own games. There is no event fee. Instead we ask attendees to purchase beverages from the venue, Penny's Bar, conveniently located beside Lansdowne subway station at 1306 Bloor St. West. Of course, since they are offering us their space for free, please consider buying a drink if you can--possibly from our \*custom menu\*! We provide nametag stickers with a pronoun field; we want this to be a comfortable environment for everyone, kindly respect people's listed or stated pronouns. If you are unsure of someone's pronouns, don't assume: Ask, Respect and Practice Definitely ask before taking pictures/videos Alas Penny's is not accessible due to stairs, dim lighting, and loud noises. While external food is welcome, outside beverages are not permitted. \*\*\*Please reach out to [info@torontogaymers.ca](mailto:info@torontogaymers.ca) with any accessibility concerns. [https://linktr.ee/TorontoGaymers](https://linktr.ee/TorontoGaymers) #TorontoGaymers #PennysDiveBar [#Boardgames](https://keep.google.com/#label/boardgames)

We're excited to launch **GitHub Copilot Dev Days**, a global in‑person community event series running **March 15 – April 30**! Let's come together as developers, grow our local community, and showcase the power of GitHub Copilot with **free, high‑quality training materials** from Microsoft + GitHub. * GitHub Copilot in VS Code * GitHub Copilot CLI … and more! * **Intro Talk (30–45 min):** GitHub Copilot + AI development * **Local Community Talk (30–45 min):** NOT ME, **[Matt Eland](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteland/)** * **Hands‑on Workshop (1 hour):** Practical exercises using GitHub Copilot ***Bring your laptop and expect to write some (non-AI-generated) code!*** Food and drinks will be available. **LOCATION:** 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43017 **FREE PARKING:** 6725 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

Please join the Columbus Atlassian Events Team for an evening program where we show you how we are using the Atlassian tools to track, manage and collaborate with others on our hobbies, From Jira & Confluence and Lego, to Tabletop gaming and Trello to miniature painting and Jira. Join the Columbus Atlassian leaders as they walk you through how the Atlassian tools enhance their passion projects.   We'll go over space structures, lessons learned as we built and tracked our project and how it helped us organize group adventures.   Looking forward to sharing our fun with you!Please take note of the New Location and Time of the event. Pay Parking can be found on street, and in locations marked. Agenda --- Speakers Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Moderators Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Hosted By Kimberly Deal, Atlassian User Group Leader Kevin Stanley, Chief Everything Greg Sprowls, Agility Lead --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-columbus-presents-for-the-love-of-atlassian-using-atlassian-to-manage-your-passion-projects/.

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!