Science & Technology

This week we'll discuss chapter 5 of [How Language Began](https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Language-Began-Humanitys-Invention/dp/1781253935/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27SNUKXPY1BWO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pTtn5alJgGZxLimiVijnr1oxTj0AiKpPdpaaVkIUio1hwzPu48_laQFrsnpFEGZMkWvnwbcALfmeyhyeuVQbcNCtoB6oD_Bg6K-GRhzBWrI.g5fzcdJdVKVgxgrTe1s6wn3c6dilMbYkHbhe_yGuzbQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+language+began&qid=1768693702&s=books&sprefix=how+language+began%2Cstripbooks%2C90&sr=1-1), by Daniel Everett. In this work Everett presents his views about the origin of language -- that it is a culturally evolved tool for communication, not the product of innate biological instinct or pre-wired universal grammar. If this is your first time attending we meet in the cafe of the Barbican Cinema -- look for for people with copies of How Language Began. Please read the chapter before attending.

This **in-person theatre** and **livestream** talk is available online from Gresham College to Basingstoke Science subscribers. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the Gresham web site:** **[https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/out-reach](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/out-reach)** **SUMMARY** #### Part of: [The Future of Work](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/future-work) Right now, the technological challenge we are most likely to face in the labour market is ‘frictional’ technological unemployment – where there is plenty of work available, but not enough people are able to do it. This lecture explores the phenomenon and its main causes – that people might lack the right skills for the work, not live in the place where the work is created, or have an identity that is at odds with the nature of the work. **LIVESTREAM TIMING** **The livestream will go live at 5.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 6.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. Gresham College has offered an outstanding education to the public free of charge for over 400 years. Today, Gresham College plays an important role in fostering a love of learning and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Please consider making a donation on their web site to support the work of Gresham College.

## Overview Join us in London to celebrate 15 years of Search, Community and more recently AI in person! ## Search London's 15th Birthday with Search 'n Stuff! Join us **in person** for an epic celebration of **15 years** of Search London. Dive into the future with talks on **Community, Reddit, LLMs and Measuring AI in 2026**. It’s the perfect chance to connect, learn, and network with our community. To celebrate turning 15, we are teaming up with Search 'n Stuff. Come and meet and network with digital marketers from both communities. ️ **Date :** Tuesday, 24 February, 2026 ⏰ **Time :** 18:00 – 23:00 **Venue :** Bounce, 121, High Holborn, Farringdon, EC1N 2TD A big thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible. Thank you to our **headline sponsor** [Candour](https://withcandour.co.uk/?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=searchldnpage&utm_campaign=feb2026), a search-first design & build agency, our refreshment sponsor [WhitePress](https://www.whitepress.com/?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=searchldnpage&utm_campaign=feb2026), our cake sponsor, [Good Signals](https://www.goodsignals.com/?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=searchldnpage&utm_campaign=feb2026), our community sponsors, [StudioHawk](https://studiohawk.com/?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=searchldnpage&utm_campaign=feb2026) and [Lunar Links](https://www.lunarlinks.io/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=eventbrite&utm_campaign=feb-2026) and our scholarship sponsor [Amplfyr](https://www.amplfyr.app/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=eventbrite&utm_campaign=feb-2026) for supporting us. Buy your ticket today on [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/search-londons-15th-birthday-community-reddit-and-measuring-ai-in-2026-tickets-1977195256236?aff=oddtdtcreator) to secure your place. RSVPing on meetup will not guarantee your place. ## Meet our speakers! Come and learn from our speakers: Erin, Jon, Tom and Jandira. **Erin Simmons (They / Them)** [Erin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinsimmonsfreelance/) is Managing Director at the Women in Tech SEO community - focused on democratising successful careers through connection, education, opportunities, & amplification. With 15+ years in marketing and analytics, they now focus on better understanding people and connecting them to the relationships and resources that support them most. Erin will speak about: * **Trust → Visibility: SEO Powered by Community** You can AI-engineer your content and website all day, but even if you show up in the answers, you still won’t be chosen if people don’t trust you. Trust isn’t built between a person and a brand; it’s built in the communities, conversations, and human spaces where people help each other make sense of the world. In this talk, Erin Simmons explores the growing trust gap in search and why the real SEO edge comes from showing up where trust is being exchanged. * When you earn trust, people make you visible -- they reference you in conversations, recommend you in threads, and surface you in the exact places AI and search engines now look for signals. Visibility is a byproduct of trust. * And if you focus on trust first, you’ll show up everywhere that matters: in AI results, in search, and in the moments when people turn to one another to decide what to believe. **Jonathan Moore** [Jonathan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/moorejonathan/) is an independent SEO and analytics consultant based in Cheltenham. With over 15 years of experience, including six years heading up the SEO and analytics for one of the UK's largest independent digital marketing agencies, he has got a knack for digging into the details to find what really matters. He has a degree in Computer Science and works with large data sets, APIs, and scripts the form the backbone of his business. Whether you need help with technical SEO, analytics audits, or uncovering competitive insights, he provides hand on consultancy for any business. Jonathan will speak about: **Measuring search disruption: What metrics matter and who needs to know them** * This talk is for SEOs who need to understand and communicate the impact of emerging AI-driven search disruptors, including LLMs and AI Overviews. * The audience will learn which metrics genuinely matter and how to communicate the right insights to the right stakeholders at the right moment. * The takeaway is practical advice for measuring disruption that supports sound decisions without getting lost in hyper-tactical detail. **Tom Sangers** [Tom](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-sangers-b016819/) is Founder & CEO of Metric Hub Digital, With over 20 years of hands-on experience in digital marketing, Tom brings a broad yet deeply practical skill set spanning PPC, SEO, and Paid Social. As the founder of Metric Hub, he works closely with eCommerce brands to build performance-led strategies that scale profitably, always focusing on real outcomes rather than vanity metrics. Tom will speak about: **Reddit: Turning Communities into Customers** Reddit isn’t niche anymore, it's mainstream attention at scale. \- Usage is real\, and the time\-spent is *sticky*: people don’t skim, they read, compare, and come back. Reddit also gets everywhere, in feeds, links in group chats, and “best of” threads ranking in Google when people want honest answers. For brands, the win is **paid + organic in harmony**. \- Paid gets you discovered and captures demand fast\. \- Organic builds the proof: helpful posts\, credible comments\, answers that match what your ads promise\. \- When they align\, Reddit drives awareness **and** trust and turns curiosity into conversions. Let's look at a few strategies, to bring Reddit to the mainstream **Jandira Neto** [Jandira](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jandira-neto/) is an SEO Manager at Jellyfish, specialising in optimising digital SEO strategies to achieve exceptional results. With a focus on industries ranging from travel to retail, Jandira is dedicated to enhancing organic traffic, rankings, and click-through rates. Jandira will speak about: **A Technical Analysis of LMM Content Retrieval and Its Impact on Brand Visibility** * Discover how to transform LLMs from static predictors into dynamic, real-time experts by mastering the architecture of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). * This talk deconstructs the shift from Naive to Modular RAG paradigms, revealing why technical strategies like semantic HTML are now more critical for brand visibility than traditional SEO. * Whether you are scaling automation workflows or optimizing for AI Overviews, you will leave with a strategic blueprint for building verifiable, context-aware systems that eliminate hallucinations and turn AI into a high performing business asset. ## Ticket includes: ✅ Entry to the event ✅ Finger foods ✅ x2 drinks per person (soft drinks, wine and beer) ✅ Access to all talks and networking Buy your ticket today on[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/search-londons-15th-birthday-community-and-measuring-ai-in-2026-tickets-1977195256236?aff=oddtdtcreator)[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/search-londons-15th-birthday-community-reddit-and-measuring-ai-in-2026-tickets-1977195256236?aff=oddtdtcreator) and learn from Jonathan and Erin, plus network with up to 120 search professionals with enough food and drinks for everyone. RSVPing on meetup will not guarantee your place.

**Attention attendees!** **To register, use** [Luma](https://luma.com/joxsq2xy) Warning: The meetup is not a platform for RSVP registration; for this, you need to follow [thisLink ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-technology-pitch-night-london-tickets-1976582309897?aff=oddtdtcreator)to purchase a registration ticket. The meetup is one of the platforms through which we offer participation in our events. **Startup Valley — London** A curated pitch night for startup founders, operators, angels and VC partners. We design these sessions to help founders sharpen their thinking through direct, candid feedback — and to give strong investors access to serious teams. **What happens:** • 4-8 startups pitch live and receive feedback from angels and VC partners • Feedback focuses on real decisions and next steps — not surface-level opinions • Investors stay in the room before and after pitches • The format leaves space for real conversations, not rushed networking • Attendance is limited to keep the room focused Designed for clear thinking, not noise. **Who you’ll meet:** * Startup founders * Angel investors and VC partners * Operators in marketing, sales, and tech * AI engineers * Local and international founders * AI Experts * Founders from Europe, Asia, and the United Kingdom **Practical details** **For investors:** We invite angel investors and VC partners to participate as judges and contributors. **To become a judge,** and get early access to our startups database, please fill out th[ the form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8CVqvhQJu-AcclIF6PCuwjL4YpQt4w0FchGSoutRkt58v4g/viewform). Join the judge table, meet other investors, and see what teams are building early. Founders need your experienced view. **For pitching startups:** Startups selected to pitch will present live on stage and receive feedback from investors. **After purchasing a ticket:** Please[ submit your pitch deck](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchcZr9gCNJh0RLiKBgbdbDBKEOc-92LNySkzHf8qGPHg5Wpg/viewform) and ensure it is open for viewers. **Agenda** **19:00 – 19:30** **Registration** Guests register, receive badges, and event programs. This is an opportunity for casual networking, making first connections, and preparing for the event. **19:30 – 20:30** **Event Kickoff & Interactive Networking** Official welcome from the organizers with a brief overview of the event goals and schedule. Interactive networking helps participants set their objectives and connect with key contacts. **20:40 – 21:20** **Startup Pitch Session** Startups present their projects to investors and experts. Each team has 5 minutes to pitch, covering the project's core idea, business model, and target market. **21:20 – 22:00** **Chill & Networking** Participants enjoy casual conversations with investors, discuss collaborations, and exchange ideas over refreshments.

We're welcoming back the legend that is Dave Whitney after a covid time lapse of years. Your chance to catch one of the best tech speakers in the UK software community! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- It's a tough time to be a technology professional. We're simultaneously being told that AI will change everything we know about the world, while simultaneously being told that the bubble is going to burst. Everyone is going to be redundant! AI will fail! AI will ruin the internet! AI can't do anything! It's disorienting and stressful trying to work out what a reasonable strategy should be to move forwards with this technology that appears to shift it's goalposts almost daily. In this session, we'll talk about understanding what AI really is, how to form a reasonable, governance friendly strategy around it, and what the sensible bets for the future are in the space. We'll do a deep dive into ethics, the human cost of content moderation, and having to be confronted by the reality of technical change in real-time. A survival guide to getting the most from the most controversial technology in a decade. An AI moderates warts and all deep dive into surviving as technology changes, without giving in to the hype during times of technology innovation and change. BIO: David is the Director of Architecture for NewDay, and the founder of Electric Head Software. Focusing on iterative software delivery, developer mentoring and cultural change - mostly working with London-based organisations. He speaks about software design, culture, and ethics in technology - rounded out by an assortment of talks about software that probably doesn't need to exist but makes the world a little more fun. David has previously served as the chief coding technical architect for JustGiving and helped market-leading organisations including JUST-EAT, Trainline and Vodafone improve their technical capabilities. David is a Microsoft MVP, has been part of the OpenUK Honours list for open-source advocacy, and is a twice bestselling author of children's books about programming. You can find his open-source projects on NuGet, npm and GitHub, follow him on Twitter @david_whitney, or check out his technical blog at [http://www.davidwhitney.co.uk/Blog](http://www.davidwhitney.co.uk/Blog). [http://www.electricheadsoftware.com](http://www.electricheadsoftware.com/) [http://www.davidwhitney.co.uk](http://www.davidwhitney.co.uk/)

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BOOK YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THE EVENT. YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE. [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980464729318?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980464729318?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Welcome to Tech Startups, Investors, Innovators & Professionals Xmas Networking Event in London, the ultimate networking event designed exclusively for IT and Technology professionals. Prepare to expand your professional network, exchange knowledge, and forge valuable connections with like-minded individuals at the forefront of the digital age. Event Overview: Tech Startups, Investors, Innovators & Professionals Xmas Networking Event in London is a premier networking event that provides a unique platform for IT and Technology professionals to come together, collaborate, and engage in meaningful discussions. Whether you are an experienced industry expert or an aspiring tech enthusiast, this event offers an opportunity to connect with peers, gain insights into the latest trends, and explore potential career advancements. **Who should attend?** IT and Technology Professionals Networking Event welcomes all IT and Technology professionals who are passionate about advancing their careers, expanding their networks, and staying at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape. This event is ideal for: * **Startup Founders**: Looking to pitch ideas, find partners, or secure funding. * **Investors & VCs**: Seeking new, disruptive technologies and promising startups to invest in. * **Innovators & Tech Enthusiasts**: Exploring emerging trends and sharing breakthrough ideas. * **Software Developers & Engineers**: Building innovative solutions or seeking collaboration in new projects. * **Cybersecurity Specialists**: Interested in protecting tech innovations and networking with startups. * **Data Scientists & Analysts**: Exploring data-driven technologies and connecting with tech leaders. * **IT Managers & Team Leads**: Looking to scale their teams, streamline operations, or discover new tools. * **Cloud Computing Experts**: Engaging with startups utilizing cloud infrastructure for growth. * **AI & Machine Learning Professionals**: Exploring the latest AI trends and networking with innovators. * **Industry Professionals**: From tech, finance, or legal sectors offering expertise in scaling businesses. * **Business Developers**: Focused on partnerships, collaborations, or market expansion. * **Mentors & Advisors**: Offering guidance on business strategy, scaling, or product development. **Why attend:** Networking: Experience an evening of dynamic networking in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Meet IT professionals from diverse backgrounds, including software development, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and more. Career Advancement Opportunities: Explore potential career opportunities by interacting with representatives from leading tech companies and startups. Discover the latest job openings and internships in the IT and Technology sectors. Career: For job seekers, the event offers an exclusive opportunity to meet top tech companies actively recruiting talent, opening doors to exciting career prospects. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to connect, learn, and grow within the vibrant community of IT and Technology professionals. Tickets need to be bought online and are not available at the door! How our event works: 7.00pm - When you arrive your name will be checked off the guest list, the host will direct everyone to the reserved area and explain how the event will work. 7.30pm – Event starts, you will be introduced to each other in a nice relaxed environment in the semi private reserved area. 8pm - 1 minute Elevator pitch 8:30 pm - Networking 10 pm - Event ends all guests are welcome to stay and enjoy chatting with each other. This event will be hosted till 9pm; the key to making the most of speed friending is to follow up with your contacts over time to develop friendships. Dress code is either business or office attire or smart casual, no T-shirts, no trainers. If you have any questions email contact@thebusinessminds.co.ukTicket for 1 person allows 1 person to enter the venue from 7pm Please Note:Tickets need to be bought online and are not available at the door!

We're back to our usual format of 3 speakers + Q&A followed by networking. 18:30: Doors open 19:00 Welcome by Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino (organiser since 2011) 19:10 Rob Poll, membot, 'A Tale to Two Products: how the wisdom we gained from Line-us helped develop [membot](https://www.membot.net/)' 19:30 Rob Hallifax, [Windfall Energy](https://www.windfallenergy.com/), 'How to start a hardware startup' 19:50 [Andrew Delamare](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-delamare-79a4111/), AWS Solutions Architecture Manager 20:10 Networking 21:00 End of event and move to a nearby pub There will be drinks (including non-alcoholic) and nibbles. **About our sponsors:** [Green Custard](https://www.green-custard.com/) is an award-winning AWS IoT specialist consultancy that helps organisations design, build, and scale secure cloud-connected products and solutions. With deep expertise across IoT architectures, data lakes, ML and agentic AI our IoT expertise spans from product innovation to smart factory innovation. We have full stack capability from embedded & mobile to cloud-native development. Green Custard partners with clients to deliver on their business outcomes whether modernising legacy devices, unlocking new value from existing data, or accelerating the delivery of production-ready solutions. Customers trust Green Custard for its technical excellence, pragmatic delivery, and we are proud of our customer success. [Aqua Libra](https://aqualibra.com/pages/flavour-tap) is redefining sustainable hydration through innovative, low-impact dispensing technology. Beyond its zero-sugar infused drinks, the brand has pioneered solutions such as the Aqua Libra Flavour Tap, a digitally controlled dispensing system that delivers chilled, filtered water with natural flavours on demand. By removing the need for single-use bottles and reducing transport emissions, the Flavour Tap enables offices, venues, and public spaces to offer great-tasting drinks with a dramatically smaller environmental footprint. Aqua Libra’s approach blends sustainability, smart technology, and convenience to meet the growing demand for healthier, greener beverage options.

Ever look up and marvel with insatiable curiosity at both the beauty and wonder of the **universe?** That wild sobering thought that somewhere in the chaos of creation - the emergence of life - the universe became **conscious** enough to look back and ask the existential questions; How it all started, our evolution and place in it, and where else in the cosmos other complex life might exist (we know almost every star you see has planets orbiting with up to **20 billion habitable exoplanets** easily in our galaxy alone!)? Then RSVP to view the potential life harbouring moons of **Jupiter**, comets, the famous **Orion Nebula** where stars like our sun were born, the majestic rings of **Saturn**, the international space station, well known star fields, remnants of **supernova** witnessed by our early ancestors, multi-star solar systems (think the double sun in Starwars), the Tau Ceti star with **2 Earth like planets** orbiting in the habitable zone, plus a range of other fascinating celestial wonderments (comets, galaxies) over drinks and engaging chats and banter this Jan fully hosted by a passionate amateur astronomer and former global Journalist covering big picture stories including cutting edge science related ones. In between observing - we'll have **drinks and engaging chats** on all astronomy related topics for those inclined - space exploration, Fermi Paradox, Astrobiology, Cosmology, paleontology, SETI/Drake Equation (I have my own augmented version giving more realistic estimates of likely alien civilisations!), exoplanetology etc as well as non space chatter and banter too. No doubt we'll hear the usual jokes we've all heard before! If those don't make you laugh, my impersonation of Los Angeles ET will! And to help set the mood and make the night feel even extra galactic, I’ll put my DJ hat to play some space‑themed tunes and songs about the stars! **======= Joining Astronomers Group & Telescopes =======** I'm able to take a limited number of people (please only RSVP if you can make it) to join my friendly informal relaxed London amateur astronomers' club that have been for over a decade with their regulars made up of up to about 150 people. As there will be people attending from this private Astronomers group as well as others from one of my other groups - the total attendees will be far higher than rsvps here and the public liability insurance only covers a max number of people - hence I need to impose strict limits on attendance. Over the years we have enjoyed numerous social evenings of stargazing and thought provoking chatter with people of all ages and varying levels of astronomy knowledge - so complete beginners that are genuinely curious about the universe are very welcome. If you are just looking to meet generic randoms then there are others groups that will better cater for that. The world renowed **BBC Television Sky at Night** also attended our events pre covid and interviewed some of us for it's show that aired on BBC1 in Feb 2019. BBC **Radio London** (94.9 FM / digital) were there Aug 2023 to cover our meteor shower event broadcasting live to millions of Londoners for 3 hours You don't need a telescope as you will be able to view through scopes belonging to me and other club members (as long as you behave responsibly and don't temper with expensive equipment). If you have your own telescope/binoculars feel free to bring along and I can help you setting it up if you're a newbie **==== Food & Drinks With Seating From Warm Indoor Cafe ====** Alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, cider only), hot drinks and food/snacks will be available to purchase from an indoor cafe at the observation point which Regent's park keep open exclusively for the astronomers group so please don't bring your own drinks **==== ITINERARY =====** We will meet outside Camden Station. After a short wait for anyone delayed, I will escort everyone to our observation point in the local park 15 minutes walk away and brief you in terms of what to expect, observing etiquette, tips, equipment handling and take any questions you have - weather general or astronomy/cosmology related. **After Drinks:** Unless I have a very important 9AM Thursday deadline for a client presentation or something that I'm still gonna be writing 2 mins before start - most of us usually head our way back to Camden for another drink. If so - I will annouce the pub when we leave the park **==== What Can You Expect To See (this time of year)? ====** * Orion Nebula * Jupiter and 4 moons * Meteors * Andromedia Galaxy * Saturn, rings & moon * Star clusters such as the Pleiades & Owl Cluster etc * International Space station fly by * Venus & Mercury * Binary & tripple star systems (think planet *Tatooine in* Starwars!), * Neptune * Uranuus * Mars * Our moon * A look towards the galactic centre where that supermassive £22b Labour black hole sits (Sagittarius A) More here from Jodrell Bank Observatory/Astrophysics Centre: [http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/](http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/) Guide to viewing the cosmos for beginners: [https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp](https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp) **===Weather Dependent=====** The event is subject to clear skies forecasts on the night so if on the actual afternoon of the event the weather forecasts looks unsuitable beyond doubt then I will postpone so please check the event status on the day of the event . If this event is still listed here at 5PM on the day, it will be going ahead at the designated day and time! Happy Stargazing Lucas Skywalker - The Singin, Dancin, DJ-in Astronomer

Have you ever wondered what mysteries lie out there outside the earth? If so, this may be the right event for you. Welcome to the London Society’s first stargazing event where all of this is possible. thanks to ‘The Baker Street Irregular Astronomers’, we’ll be able to gaze at the mysteries through their telescopes pin pointed at their discoveries made. With this particular event and during the evening, we should be able to gaze at the 6 planet alignment (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune), The waxing gibbous moon which will not only be positioned near thee beehive cluster but will also pass close to the bright star ‘Regulus’ & lastly is the sight of the blood red moon. Here is the itinerary for the evening: 6pm - 6:15pm: Await the members 6:15pm - 6:45pm: Depart to the destination 6:45pm onwards: Gaze at the mysteries through the telescopes and the naked eye. I don’t accept donations for this event as this is completely free rather if you do enjoy this event, feel free to give the group who provided their telescopes a follow on Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/groups/132196206819659/?locale=en_GB and one day, you might go on your own accord or gain knowledge on outer space. WHAT - STARGAZING
WHERE TO MEET - Outside Camden Town Station
WHEN - 6pm - 9pm
NEAREST STATION - Camden Town station
REQUIREMENTS - Just your good behaviour is all
 Disclaimers: Please be on your best behaviour and respect one another. This group doesn’t tolerate any misbehaviour and misconduct. Should such a thing take place, you will be removed. Whenever an event takes place, I will cut off contact 20 minutes after the event commences. If you message even 1 minute after the cut off time, I won’t be available as I’m conducting the event. There will be photography and videography by myself so if you are photo conscious and/or do not want to be in the video, do kindly inform me and I’ll try my utmost best to not involve you in the picture. Let’s all be responsible but please be aware you come at your own risk. Do be mindful of your possessions, belongings and most importantly, your safety. The ‘London society of explorers’ accept no risk of liability at this event.

Do you want to meet new people in a relaxing chill atmosphere surrounded by new books? Do you dislike loud and smelly places like pubs and clubs? This is the event for you. Science and Philosophy Book Club is creating a new kind of meetup where people who love books and knowledge can meet new friends in a big book shop. We will explore around different sections of the book shop together as a group while making interesting conversations with each other. We will go to both fiction and non-fiction areas. If you feel shy and feel nervous to come alone, I will make sure you will feel comfortable and accomodate to your needs. I will help introduce you to others so you can go over the barrier of anxiety when approaching a new person. We will meet on the ground floor lounge area of Doubletree Hilton Hotel at 6 p.m. It is an amazing cosy bar with classy vibes. We will wait for everyone to show up while getting some drinks and socializing. At 7 p.m we will head to the Waterstones book store near Russel Square and UCL. After we explore the book store, we will come back to the hotel bar and stay there for the rest of the night. This event requires £5 donation to cover the venue fees. You can pay via cash or card. Thank you for helping the book club!

⚠️ **Please read any of the books voted below** , and avoid last minute AI summaries. This is a **book club** after all! 14 votes - Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) - Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson 14 votes - The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down - Haemin Sunim Join us for Deeper Discussions, where we dive into thought-provoking non-fiction books that challenge perspectives, inspire growth, and spark meaningful conversations. Whether you're an avid reader or just curious about exploring new ideas, this is a space to reflect, share, and gain new insights into the world around us. **How does it work?** * The above books have already been voted on for reading * We will split into groups based on the book you've read * Everyone shares summary / thoughts * Focused Discussion on a specific chapter or topic / theme from the book for 30 minutes * Open Q&A regarding the book and any related topics ❓ **What to Expect?** **Deep Discussions**: We’ll explore key themes, insights, and arguments from this month’s two books **Critical Thinking & Reflection**: Engage in conversations that go beyond surface-level takeaways. Challenge perspectives, question assumptions, and discover new ways of thinking. ✨ **Personal & Collective Growth**: Non-fiction books have the power to transform our understanding of society, relationships, and ourselves **How to get the most out of this event?** **Read the Book:** While reading the full book is ideal, even if complete significant amount can help you engage in the discussion. ✨ **Respect & Openness:** Every perspective matters. This is a space for discussion, not debate. Stay curious, listen actively, and engage with an open mind. **Be Ready to Share & Learn:** What resonated with you? What challenged you? Personal reflections make the discussion richer and more meaningful. **Why a Non-Fiction Book Club?** **Expand Your Perspective:** Learn from diverse ideas, and real-world experiences. ✨ **Foster Growth:** Engage in stimulating conversations that challenge and refine your thinking. **Deepen Connections:** Connect with like-minded individuals who value insightful discussions and continuous learning. **Who is this event for?** * You love exploring ideas that shape the world. * You enjoy thought-provoking discussions. * You want to engage in meaningful conversations beyond small talk. * You’re open to challenging your assumptions and learning from others. **What's in it for you?** * **A Space for Reflection:** Step back and think critically about important ideas. * **New Perspectives:** Gain insights from both the book and fellow participants. * **Deep Connections:** Meet others who share a love for learning and growth. **Ready to dive into big ideas?** Join us for an evening of engaging, insightful discussions on a book that **challenges**, **inspires**, and **expands** the way we think. We really hope to see you there! **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free ** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

This is a **theatre** and **livestream** talk from the **Royal Institution of Great Britain.** Join Astrophysicist **Jonathan Tennyson** as he explores how improvements in spectroscopy are changing our understanding of exoplanets. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:** **[https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/discourse-discovering-what-exoplanets-are-made](https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/discourse-discovering-what-exoplanets-are-made)** **SUMMARY** We now know that essentially every star in the galaxy supports a planetary system – so far, over 6000 exoplanets have been positively identified and grouped in 4600 planetary systems, and this number continues to grow. The investigation of exoplanets has focused on their composition, formation, and habitability. These questions are best answered by monitoring light emissions from the planet and capturing these data from spectroscopy. In the second Discourse of 2026, astrophysicist **Jonathan Tennyson** will join us to explore how advancements in spectroscopy are transforming our understanding of exoplanets. Jonathan will examine the two main issues currently facing researchers observing exoplanets: for some exoplanets, their temperatures far exceed those on Earth and produce much richer and more complex spectra. And for the majority, we cannot directly see them at all. Discover the techniques being used to address these issues and obtain the spectral signatures of planets, combined with quantum mechanical methods. This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. **The livestream will go live around 7.10pm, and the talk will begin at 7.20pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's [event terms and conditions](https://www.rigb.org/terms-and-conditions). You also agree to abide by [our code of conduct](https://www.rigb.org/about-us/how-were-run/our-code-conduct-ri-visitors), and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.

Tech Built World returns to tackle oversaturation in Construction Tech - from the sheer volume of tools flooding the market to choice paralysis, AI hype confusion, and why adoption remains frustratingly low. We'll explore the different flavours of tech available (big tech platforms, ConTech startups, everyday tools, proprietary in-house solutions, and even the informal tech people use on site) and why the industry struggles to take the plunge despite it being simpler than most people think. Our guide is Alex Sivokhin, Director and BIM Manager at VirTex and member of buildingSMART International. Alex will share his experiences from both sides of the fence - building automation tools and implementing tech at major firms like Bilfinger Engineering. He'll give us insight into why the value of tech isn't being appreciated and what it takes to cut through the noise. Don't miss the Discussion Time where everyone shares their thoughts on adoption barriers, cultural resistance, and whether we're overthinking this whole thing. We're eager to hear your perspectives. Here's the essentials: Futureheads, Work.Life, 120 Aldersgate St, EC1A 4JQ Doors Open: 6:30pm ⏰ Event Start: 7:00pm Get ready for an evening of honest conversations, fresh connections (new and familiar faces always welcome) and brilliant food and drinks thanks to Futureheads ❤️❤️❤️. ### **THE THEME- CONTECH IS... OVERSATURATED?** Construction tech is drowning in options. Big tech platforms, ConTech startups, everyday tools, proprietary solutions built by in-house innovation teams, and even the informal tech people cobble together on site. The sheer volume is staggering. The problem? People aren't adopting any of it. Choice paralysis has set in. AI hype adds to the confusion - everyone's shouting about what their tools do but nobody knows what AI means anymore or which tools deliver real value versus empty promises. The industry is too big, too lumbering, and culturally resistant to change. People think adoption is complicated when it's simpler than they realise. The value isn't being appreciated because results take time and the effort feels overwhelming. So we're stuck. Bombarded with options but frozen in place. The tech exists but nobody's brave enough to take the dive and start using it. Join us as we explore whether ConTech is genuinely oversaturated or whether we just need to stop overthinking and start doing. **\-\-\- THE SPEAKER \- ALEX SIVOKHIN \-\-\-** Alex Sivokhin is the Director and BIM Manager at VirTex, where he creates BIM automation solutions for clients globally. He works closely with architects, engineering consultancies, real estate developers, and manufacturers. As a Product Domain Volunteer at buildingSMART International and Mentor at Women in BIM, he advances digitalisation and supports emerging talent in the AEC sector. Alex is fourth generation in the construction industry. Before moving into BIM and tech, he worked hands-on as a land surveyor, structural engineer, and site engineer. He later became a BIM Coordinator and Project Manager at Bilfinger Engineering (a major industrial services firm with 30,000 employees and €4.5 billion revenue), implementing BIM technology and automation on large-scale infrastructure projects across Central and Eastern Europe. His experience spans from the ground up - from site work to building tech products and driving adoption in traditional construction firms. Through his weekly newsletter Digital Construction Digest, he tracks the AEC digitalisation landscape and shares insights on automation, AI, and industry trends. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandr-sivokhin/ **\-\-\- ABOUT TECH BUILT WORLD \-\-\-** Tech Built World, the world's first construction tech specific meetup for product people, aims to highlight ConTech's potential and human-centricity. Unlike other meetups, we feature a keynote speaker and workshop-style discussions to foster informed dialogue so all attendees always get an opportunity to contribute their hot takes. Despite the construction industry's significant size and profitability, its slow tech adoption presents disruption opportunities. Our community of Product Managers, UX Designers, Developers, Product Owners and Founders are people passionate about accelerating change in ConTech. Even if you're unfamiliar with ConTech, you're welcome to join us in envisioning the future - exciting eh?!

Join us on February 25th for talks from engineers at **Nebius, Fireworks AI,** **Together AI** and **Cerebras** \- four companies working on distinct approaches to AI infrastructure\, from cloud\-native training platforms to custom silicon\. Topics: * **Nebius** \- Tips and tricks for Training High\-Performance Speculators by Filipp Fisin * **Fireworks AI** \- LLM evaluations and closing the benchmark\-to\-production gap by Shaunak Godbole * **Cerebras -** Technology underpinning the fastest inference by Dmitry Gaynullin * **Together AI** \- Road to 5M Sequence Length: Breaking Memory Barriers in Context Parallelism by Max Ryabinin If you’d like to give a talk or become a partner for one of the upcoming meetups, message [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedorshabashev/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedorshabashev/) or [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirzharov/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirzharov/) In the meantime, you can watch the previously recorded talks: [https://youtube.com/@londonpytorchmeetup](https://youtube.com/@londonpytorchmeetup) Please subscribe to our channel! ❤️

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)

**\*\*\*\* More details and sign up at: https://aifalliance.org/summit-2026/ \*\*\*\*** **What is AI Freedom Alliance?** AI Freedom Alliance promotes the responsible growth of AI guided by practical, commonsense ethics. Our nonprofit is built by professionals from a wide range of industries and is made up entirely of small- and mediumbusiness representatives—never large tech companies. We provide a counterbalance to big corporate influence, focusing instead on how AI can benefit businesses and the world at large. **What’s Happening?** ***The inaugural AI Freedom Alliance Summit.*** This full-day event will explore how we can ensure AI is adopted responsibly through shared ethical standards that empower humanity. The summit will feature interactive and educational sessions led by thought leaders, technologists, policymakers, and advocates who are passionate about making AI fair, transparent, and beneficial for everyone. **Why Attend?** Learn about the legal and technical challenges with implementing AI solutions within your organization. Build better solutions while protecting your organization from legal and compliance risks. And learn how to think strategically about AI as a differentiation tool for your business. This summit is highly recommended for C-Suite leaders to learn as well as interact with each other and our sponsors.

This meeting will be an open discussion about the book "an Immense World" by Ed Yong

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message **Chris (the organizer)** with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

Excited to share that AWS Cloud Club's first meeting will take place on Thursday, February 26th at 5pm - 6pm! We’re collaborating with [Big Data & Analytics Association](https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-data-analytics-association/) to host [Alok Jha](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alok-jha-42abb928/), Head of Product Management for AWS Intelligent Application Protection at Amazon Web Services, for a tech talk + Q&A on his journey in leading cutting-edge innovation in industry. If you’re interested in cloud, cybersecurity, AI, or product management, this is a session you won’t want to miss. Make sure to join our Meetup and GroupMe to stay up to date for future events and collabs!

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. (NOTICE - Location change!) This session will be at the Karl Road Branch of the Columbus Library in the Conference Room 2.