Resume Writing
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out resume writing events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the resume writing events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find resume writing events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Resume Writing Events Today
Join in-person Resume Writing events happening right now
Shut Up & Write!® Waterloo, Friday evenings - Auberge pub
Join us for a weekly session of friendly and focused writing time. From 6pm every Friday:
We'll be at the Auberge pub, across road from Waterloo. See full location info for how to find us. There'll be a sign at our table.
\*(Please see full access info, further down.)
......
* We shut up for 1 hour of scheduled focus time - 6.30 to 7.30. ...Then time to chat or carry on at your preference.
This is for writing of any description or experience level. Somewhere to get on with your own work, and connect with new people.
Most importantly to not feel isolated in your pursuits, however big or small.
i.e. If you're looking to further your writing interests; and for a comfortable social space; ...or just need somewhere to sit and focus before you go home on a Friday - you're welcome to stop by.
Please RSVP to give us an idea of who is coming / how many.
........
**6:00pm - 6:30pm**
* Find our table and grab a seat. Plus any food or drink.
* We'll take 5-10 minutes to say who we all are, and welcome anyone new.
* (No need to say what you're working on, but feel welcome to).
**6.30pm - 7.30pm**
* No talking. One hour.
* You can leave the table at any point.
* Anyone arriving late feel free to find a seat, we'll give you a silent wave. You won't get glared at!
**7.30pm**
Once 'Shut Up' time is over:
* You are welcome to head off straight away, no pressure to stick around.
* You are welcome to stay to chat with other members, as late as you wish.
* Or you're welcome to just keep writing - if you're in the zone, no need to stop just because others have.
The time is for you, to get the most benefit.
.
**FACILITIES / ACCESS**
Mobility access is limited:
There is a step to enter pub, from pavement (one entrance only) - Venue will provide ramp for step-free entry.
Toilets are on ground floor. \*However there is no accessible or private toilet space. Apologies.
(The closest are in the main station concourse, nearby.)
Do contact if you would like clearer info before attending.
**FOOD**
There is food served all evening / including vegan options.
You're welcome to eat whilst writing.
**WI-FI**
There should be working Wi-Fi, if you need it!
'Auberge Secure' PW: waterloo
**DOG-FRIENDLY**
Dogs also welcome.
.
If you have additional queries re. access or other requirements, do message us via Meetup or contact the Auberge directly.
.
**A note about the format**
We don’t host readings and feedback. (But we can signpost to events that do).
Whether you're writing for a professional goal, academic project, private thoughts and wellbeing, or purely casual enjoyment, (or still deciding!) - don't worry we won't be asking each other to share details.
You can just arrive, make yourself comfortable with anything you need, and get on with whatever you decide.
No-one will be reading your work or judging if you've met targets. We don't set group goals and deadlines: we're just here to help each other with our own - where needed.
Or to switch off and talk about something else completely, if you need that instead!
This is a social event and aimed at bringing new people together. Not just a co-working space.
**Respect**
Please also note our Code of Conduct: [www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct](https://www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct)
...And be aware this is an informal event open to adults of all ages and backgrounds.
i.e. We expect everyone who attends will treat each other with appropriate respect and awareness, and feel able to interact comfortably.
Any concerns don't hesitate to raise them with us.
For a full view of events, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com).
Women on the RISE - Networking Evening
Join us to network and grab a drink or a meal. We will have a space dedicated for our group. Looking forward to seeing you! This months topic is Top AI hacks for productivity
MLOps - Cancelled
You do not need to be deep in MLOps to attend.
If you are a founder building with AI, a recruiter trying to understand what good AI engineering talent looks like, a fractional CTO/advisor, or a newer builder wondering what happens after a demo works, this event is about the real-world jump from prototype to something people can rely on.
MLOps London is moving into its next chapter.
The group has a strong history of practical talks and production-focused conversations. This first event under the new cadence is deliberately simple: a signal night for introductions, production-AI pain points, hiring/fractional CTO needs, and topics people want the community to cover next.
The theme for the next few months is production AI:
* agent systems after the demo
* observability and evaluation
* deployment and rollback
* governance and ownership
* what teams are learning the hard way
No slides. No formal talks. No vendor pitches.
The lightweight format:
* builders mark what they know: agents, evals, observability, infra, deployment, governance, cost, rollback
* founders/recruiters mark what they need: fractional CTO input, hiring signal, architecture review, speaker/topic suggestions
* everyone leaves with a Production AI Bench Card: one useful intro target, one topic/failure mode for the June talk night, and one clear ask or offer
Ram will give a short welcome around 7pm and outline the plan for the June talk night: "AI Agents in Production: What Actually Breaks After the Demo."
Come if you build, deploy, evaluate, operate, hire for, advise on, or lead production AI systems.
Free to attend. Please RSVP with enough detail for us to understand who is in the room.
You should leave with a clearer sense of what breaks first when AI meets real users, what skills matter, what questions founders and recruiters should ask, and who in the room can help.
The SAFO Music Group Networking Evening
Safo Music masterclass
**WHY SOME ARTISTS GROW AND OTHERS STAY STUCK**
You write great songs.
You release music.
You post on social media.
Yet somehow other artists seem to build momentum while your project stays in the same place.
Why?
Join us for the launch of **Green Chair Artist Growth** and discover the strategies that successful independent artists are using to build audiences, create opportunities, and develop sustainable careers in today's music industry.
This isn't another seminar about posting more content or chasing algorithms.
We'll show you the key principles that separate artists who build genuine momentum from those who spend years working hard with little to show for it.
You'll discover:
• Why talent alone is rarely enough
• The biggest mistakes artists make when trying to grow their audience
• How successful artists build momentum release after release
• The strategies that turn casual listeners into genuine fans
• How to create opportunities instead of waiting for them to happen
• The framework we use to help artists develop long-term careers
Whether you're just starting out or already releasing music, you'll leave with practical ideas you can implement immediately.
**FREE SEMINAR**
**Friday 19th June \| 7pm**
**Safo Music Group, Crouch Hill, London**
Places are limited.
To reserve your seat, email:
**[info@safomusicgroup.com](mailto:info@safomusicgroup.com)**
London Java Community Unconference 2026
**Please register on [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1989306131189?aff=oddtdtcreator) to join this event:**
**About the event:**
The LJC is delighted to announce our 20th Unconference!
Join us for a full day of discussions, knowledge sharing, learning, and networking with other developers in the industry.
There will be an opening keynote session followed by breakout discussion groups on the topics which are important to you. Catering is of course included, with a steady stream of coffee as well as breakfast on arrival, lunch and even afternoon tea.
**Keynote Speaker:**
**Emily Jiang**, STSM, Cloud Native Architect & Advocate, IBM
Unlock the performance and cost savings of modern Java without the massive manual effort. Many companies are hindered by the overwhelming complexity of modernization due to the variety of legacy enterprise Java applications they still need to maintain.
Discover how modern approaches provide powerful automated solutions. In this talk, we'll deconstruct a real-life success story: modernizing a legacy monolith to a modern runtime and newer version of Java. Learn how to automatically transform your codebase, mitigate the risks of manual error, and accelerate your path to the cloud. See practical steps you can use to breathe new life into your applications and free your teams to build for the future with the help of IBM Bob.
**What is an Unconference?**
An unconference is a loosely structured, participant-driven meeting. You decide what you want to talk and hear about and which topics you want to discuss. It starts with an empty schedule - no topics are mandated and no separations are made between speakers and the audience. All participants work out a schedule by suggesting, planning, holding, and evaluating sessions, collaboratively. Above all else, it's great fun, whether you want to learn or share it's a supportive and safe space to do it in.
This is an in-person event, kindly hosted by [IBM](https://www.ibm.com/uk-en "https://www.ibm.com/uk-en").
Thank you to our sponsors [Redis](https://redis.io/ "https://redis.io/"), [Capital One](https://www.capitalone.co.uk/),[ ](https://www.payara.fish/ "https://www.payara.fish/")and [Recworks](https://recworks.co.uk/ "https://recworks.co.uk/").
Book your place now at one of the biggest LJC Events of the year!
What other events would you like to see at the LJC?
Tell us here: [https://forms.office.com/r/ycv74wXBxR](https://forms.office.com/r/ycv74wXBxR "https://forms.office.com/r/ycv74wXBxR")
This event is organised by [RecWorks](https://recworks.co.uk/ "https://recworks.co.uk/") on behalf of the [London Java Community](https://www.londonjavacommunity.co.uk/ "https://www.londonjavacommunity.co.uk/")
You can see our latest jobs [here](https://recworks.co.uk/java-developer-jobs-london/ "https://recworks.co.uk/java-developer-jobs-london/")
You can see our privacy policy [here](https://recworks.co.uk/privacy-policy/ "https://recworks.co.uk/privacy-policy/")
Continue the conversation at our [Slack Group](https://londonjavacommunity.slack.com/ "https://londonjavacommunity.slack.com")
If you're not a member, sign up [here](https://form.typeform.com/to/IIyQxd?typeform-source=bcrw.typeform.com "https://form.typeform.com/to/IIyQxd?typeform-source=bcrw.typeform.com")
Resume Writing Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Present For My Pregnancy Weekly Gathering
Welcome mums to be to our weekly Present in my Pregnancy Gathering. This is a space where we pause, appreciate and remember to enjoy our pregnancy journeys together.
**First up - Mum & Baby Time**
* Journaling
* Memory recording
What to bring - a journal or phone for writing, a sketchbook or phone for recording memories (I use canva)
**Second Up - Helping Each Other**
* Discovery swaps - sharing ideas and tips
What to bring - nothing
**Third Up - Time Out**
* Sharing Circle - listening to each other
* Craft Activity - thank you card
* One Intention
What to bring - stickers, gems and anything to decorate a card. Card and coloured pens provided.
I’m really excited to meet you and for this space to open up. I need it so much and hope we can support each other to make it happen 🙏🏽🤰🏾🩷.
Why is this a paid event? The truth is Meet Up charge a hefty fee for setting up a group. I hope the fee is low enough to not stop anyone coming but also enough to cover the monthly organisation cost of running this lovely space. Thank you for your support 🙏🏽. Option to pay by PayPal as well.
Write-in at the Mitre: work on your own material in convivial company
**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.**
This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you.
The structure of the session is roughly:
2pm: chat
2:20–3:25: writing time
3:25: chat/coffee break
3:40–4:45 writing time
4:45: chat
But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out.
**This is usually in the meeting room at the Mitre. If you arrive a bit later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**
Tech Chat: Speakers from Snowflake (Cortex AI, agent engineering)
**Join us for an exciting AI agent engineering meetup where developers, architects, and AI enthusiasts come together to connect and learn from industry experts.**
**We’re thrilled to welcome guest speakers from Snowflake.**
**Jenny Zhou and Ioannis Doukas,**
**experienced solution engineers who will share insights on Cortex AI and discuss practical approaches to building AI agents efficiently across different industries.**
**The session will include:**
* **Introducing AI and Cortex features in Snowflake**
* **Agent use cases across different industries**
* **Interactive discussion**
Shut Up and Write! [London/Waterstones Piccadilly]
A chance just to work in company on your writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing or work stuff. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice.
WE FILL THE ROOM, so you MUST SIGN UP below AND ARRIVE BY 11.40 at the latest, or we can’t guarantee you a seat.
And if you can't make it CHANGE YOUR RSVP to "not going" ASAP to give someone else a chance, thanks.
WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE
TIMINGS:-
11.00 - Café starts serving
11:30 - Host of the day will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new.
11.40 - Brief introductions for everybody - your name and what you’re working on
11:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
12:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like
12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
13:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more.
Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too.
And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here.
IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 11.45 - everyone will be quiet and writing. If there's no spare places then there's sofas on the sales floors below as well as one cafe at the back of the ground floor and another in the basement. The hosts won't have any other alternatives to offer you. Please feel free to join us for the break and afterwards.
We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura and Anna
Free Personality Analysis - Find Your Strengths and Weaknesses
You want to do your best!
You want to realise your potential!
You want to make the right decisions at the right time!
Obviously- you want to be a success!
Do you have all the skills in place?
Do you have areas in your life or personality that are weaker and you feel can stop you or hold you back?
Would you like a free personal consultation to help locate your strengths and weaker areas?
We can help you to maximise on your potential.
If you would like a free 1 hour consult then register now!
We have various times available for your own personal consultation
This is hosted at the Scientology Life Improvement Centre in London.
We use the Oxford Capacity Analysis test.
https://www.scientology-london.org.uk/personality-test/
Shut Up and Write! SUNDAY at London/Waterstones Piccadilly
Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice.
Now that our regular Saturday events are filling all the seats we're adding some Sundays when we're able to - check Meetup for dates. Same format but an hour later.
WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE
TIMINGS:-
12.00 - Shop and café open
12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new.
12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on
12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like
13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes
14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more.
Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too.
And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here.
We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, Solitaire and John
Fiction Feedback Workshop
**A special Saturday afternoon workshop session from 3pm for those who find weekday evenings challenging.**
In our regular feedback workshops, we have three writers sharing a sample of their writing for constructive critique, advice and encouragement. Critique is always constructive and moderated by your host.
You learn more by listening to the writing of others and the feedback their piece receives on the night than you can imagine. We've been running these sessions since 2010 and there's a reason they fill up so fast!
For people reading, pieces must be **3,500 words or less** as you'll have about 45mins for reading and discussion on your excerpt from around the table. Most people bring 3,500 words from their novel or a short story of all genres and styles.
If you'd like to read, please **post a comment below**. *Please don't ask to read until you have booked your ticket to attend.*
If you are reading, **please bring enough printed copies (at least 10)** of your pages so members can make additional feedback/editing notes for you during the reading. All copies will be returned to you after the feedback has concluded.
New members are always welcome in these groups. Most people come along to a few sessions before offering feedback, commenting or requesting to read but it's up to you. If you want to read right away, great, but if you want to come along and see how we roll first, that makes sense too. Again, you'll be surprised by how much you can learn from others by listening to the pieces and their feedback.
**TICKETS:** £15.00 and please follow the steps to pay via PayPal when you RSVP. Ticket price pays for venue fees, planning, hosting and organising which involve time and effort. A community of 4,500+ writers takes time to manage.
**PLEASE NOTE:** Refunds or credits will only be provided if the workshop is cancelled by us. We cannot offer refunds or credit for another session if you decide not to attend. Please change your RSVP if you can't be there. We often have people on the waiting list and we'd hate for others to miss out.
Location: The Artillery Arms, 102 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8ND. Grab a drink and find us in the private room upstairs. Closest stations are Old Street and Barbican.
Try the official Meetup app to receive last-minute updates and notifications about our events as they happen to your phone. [Download it now](https://www.meetup.com/apps/).
These workshops are hosted by me, Lisa Goll, Boss Lady at London Writers' Cafe. I'm a publishing professional with more than twenty years of working within the publishing industry. Since 2010 I've been programming and hosting LWC workshops for fiction writers. See more about [me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagoll/) or Insta me @LisasShare @LondonWritersCafe
Question? Post a comment below.
Resume Writing Events Near You
Connect with your local Resume Writing community
Shut Up & Write!® East Side Columbus
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
**SCHEDULE:**
6:45ish - Quick introductions
7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour
8:00 - The End
**OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
**BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild!
**WHAT SHOULD I BRING?**
Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you!
**OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:**
* **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space!
* **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels.
* **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay!
* **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.
Shut Up & Write!™ Easton Town Center
We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator.
Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking!
• What we'll do
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
SCHEDULE:
10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros.
10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour.
11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing.
OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you!
• What to bring
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible.
See you at The Café on Saturday!
Shut Up & Write! Kingsdale Shopping Center
Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington.
The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo.
Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine.
We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you.
The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly.
Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome.
The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit.
Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times.
Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have.
Happy writing!
Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code - Alan Barber
**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you.
The building address is 4450 Bridge Park
The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400
You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge.
**Abstract**
*Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code*
Visual Studio Code is one of the most widely used development environments today, and much of its flexibility comes from its extension ecosystem. Extensions allow developers to customize the editor with new features, integrations, and workflow improvements tailored to their needs.
In this session, we’ll cover what extensions are and the different types available, including full extensions written in TypeScript or JavaScript, along with lighter-weight extensions such as color themes, language packs, language support, code snippets, and keymaps. We’ll also look at practical reasons a developer might create an extension, from automating repetitive tasks to adding custom tooling.
The session includes a hands-on walkthrough of creating a new extension, testing it locally, and understanding the basic project structure. We’ll close with a brief overview of how extensions are packaged and published to the Visual Studio Marketplace and other distribution options.
**YouTube Link**
TBD
General Business Networking - Columbus
**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.**
Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join.
Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started.
**\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\***
**There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!**
Pack some business cards and come with an open mind!
Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future.
We will have a space for our event to check-in.
The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe).
Name tags will be provided.
Business casual dress code. Job fair attire.
**Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!**
We look forward to meeting you at the event!
Sincerely,
Strive Networking Team
*Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.*
*Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*
Microsoft Build - Columbus Edition!
We are bringing Microsoft Build sessions to Columbus Ohio!
The Central Ohio Azure Meetup and Central Ohio .NET Developer's Group (CONDG) are coming together to bring some of the labs and breakouts from Microsoft Build to your backyard. In this free, 1 day event, you are going to Build stuff with us!
And yes, there will be free food.
Please RSVP via [Microsoft Build //localhost:columbus | Microsoft Reactor](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/reactor/events/27247/).
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
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.











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