Science

Attention is as curious as it is multifaceted. It has been called [a currency](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4WkhG_GRM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4WkhG_GRM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks"), the lack of it has been [pathologized](https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd "https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd"), and its span has [apparently been decreasing](https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans "https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans"). But what *is* attention, and what does it share with what are often understood as its synonyms, like ‘focus’, ‘concentration’, and ‘awareness’? What role does it play in our lives and why might we feel like its nature and extent have been changing with rapid technological innovation and the pace of modern life? The phrase ‘pay attention’ is perhaps more appropriate today than ever. Nowadays, if you watch a YouTube video, scroll through Instagram, or even walk down a busy street in your city, chances are you’ll see an ad. Our attention, however brief, is quite literally *paying* companies who sell our attention to marketing departments. Why is our attention so valuable? How much control do we have when it comes to the object(s) of our attention? How much responsibility do we have over what we pay attention to? Join us at our next Revisited Curiosity Cafe on Sunday, February 22nd, where we will engage in a collaborative exploration of the nature and extent of our attention and why attention is more valuable today than ever. **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-revisited-paying-attention-tickets-1982649061715) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 2-2:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 2:30-4:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***___________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

Struggling with motivation and focus as you hammer away on your manuscript at home? Want to join a community of writers as we embrace the joys and pains (mostly pains) of writing together? Bring your laptop, pen & paper, old-school typewriter, or futuristic writing gadget, and join an enthusiastic community of science fiction and fantasy writers as we work on our current projects in the same space. The format will be similar to our online writing sprints: 30-minute blocks of focused, quiet writing time (the sprints), interspersed with breaks where we can chat, ask questions, and share our writing experiences.

Join us for a focused and engaging discussion on the decline of the British Empire, tracing its gradual unraveling from the aftermath of the First World War to the wave of decolonization that reshaped the global order in the mid-twentieth century. Once described as “the empire on which the sun never sets,” Britain presided over a vast network of territories spanning every continent. Yet within a few decades, economic exhaustion, nationalist movements, global war, and shifting geopolitical power eroded imperial authority. This session explores how and why a global superpower relinquished its empire—and what replaced it. **Topics for Discussion** * The Atlantic Charter and Self-Determination * The Independence of India and Pakistan * The Malayan Emergency * The Suez Crisis * The Windrush Generation * The Mau Mau Uprising * Decolonization in Africa (1950s–1960s) * The Transformation into the Commonwealth * The Falklands War * The Transfer of Hong Kong

Effortless Conversations. Real Connections. One Great Evening. If you value genuine connection and enjoy meeting people in a meaningful way, this evening is for you. Our Fast-Friending format makes it easy to engage with many like-minded ladies and gents — one real conversation at a time. Through a series of quick, guided meetups, you'll have the chance to spark authentic moments with many different people — all in a relaxed, welcoming setting. **Book tickets now & save money -** [https://toro21stfeb.eventbrite.co.uk](https://toro21stfeb.eventbrite.co.uk) \*You can use any debit or credit card to purchase your ticket at PayPal checkout. It will ask you for your email address but that is only to send you a receipt. You do not need a PayPal account. EVENT COST: Early Bird - CAD$ 10 per person Regular Ticket - CAD$ 15 per person Cash at meetup - If you have not purchased your ticket in advance then you can pay CAD$ 20 cash when you meet Faye at the venue. **Our venue for the evening** \- We have a reserved area where our members can meet each other in a supportive environment\. **Here's how your evening is planned -** \- We will meet at 7\.00 pm when you will be welcomed by your host Faye\. She will manage the evening and also help you make connections\. If you are a bit shy or anxious then please come early. Faye will help you meet other members in a small group and help you settle down and get comfortable. All attendees are also welcome to bring a lady friend along with them for free. This will make it a lot less stressful for you as you will always have your friend alongside. \- From 7\.30 to 8\.30 pm\, we will start 'Fast Friending' where our host will ask you to speak to a different attendee every 3 minutes\. You will be able to meet lots of ladies and gentlemen and not be limited to only those sitting or standing next you\. \- After 8\.30 pm you will have time to interact with those you have met as well as others\. \- We are not a close knit tight group\. Our evenings are warm and comfortable for members attending for the first time and those coming alone\. You will not feel alone\! \- We have many groups in this city\. Members of our other groups who RSVP are included as guests of the organisers in order to give you an indication of expected people\. \- This evening is for ladies and gents in the 21 to 40 age group\. While some will be at the younger end of this range there will also be others at the other end of the range and lots in\-between\! You will naturally gel with others of your own age range and so you will always find many attendees who fit your range\. \- We are not a 'dating' group\. We are focused on helping ladies and gents meet other like minded ladies and gents\. You will generally find a good gender balance \(maybe not perfect\) at all our events\. **Why do we have tickets?** 1. Cover our costs - Our host is compensated for their time and work. We also pay meetup and have dedicated staff to manage our events, hosts, venues and communication. 2. Group Safety - By securing your ticket we have a record and you contribute to a well organized evening where everyone is more committed and better behaved. 3. Management - Tickets help us better manage attendee group size, book suitable space and activity. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ABOUT [fastfriends.co.uk ](https://fastfriends.co.uk/)- We have connected members successfully for the past 10 years in over 30 cities (operating as Expatsclub, MeetConnectDevelop and fastfriends.co.uk). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- You can contact our founder Dan on +447715705005 with any questions or ideas. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Here are some videos which will give you some guidance and comfort to make your attendance more productive.** Secrets for socialising at our meetups - [https://bit.ly/44ZdVwx](https://bit.ly/44ZdVwx) Making new friends -[ https://bit.ly/455TsWY](https://bit.ly/455TsWY) How to make people like you instantly - [https://bit.ly/3Vj5PeT](https://bit.ly/3Vj5PeT) Members review - [https://bit.ly/3yHfu6d](https://bit.ly/3yHfu6d)

**SPECIAL EVENT CELEBRATION FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR** 🧧🌕🤩🐴🎉 **Join [TILE.]** at the **most popular Saturday Language Learning Social Event & Party in Toronto! 🍁** **We have a new 2-for-1 (Language class + Social event/party) format for 2026!** **[TILE.] = Toronto International Language Exchange [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tilelearning/)** Contact us at : \*[info@tilelearning.com.*](http://info@tilelearning.com.%2A/) **The New [TILE.]** **2-for-1 special event every Saturday ($5 total)** includes: **1.** From **[6:30 - 7:15 PM](https://www.meetup.com/english-class-with-certified-award-winning-teacher):** A new small group 45-minute **[Language class](https://www.meetup.com/english-class-with-certified-award-winning-teacher)**[ ](https://www.meetup.com/english-class-with-certified-award-winning-teacher)led by a certified award-winning language teacher **2.** From **[7:30 - 11 PM](https://www.meetup.com/biggest-language-party-event-social-in-toronto):** Our usual huge group **[BIGGEST LANGUAGE EXCHANGE SOCIAL EVENT AND PARTY IN TORONTO](https://www.meetup.com/biggest-language-party-event-social-in-toronto)** Both events happen Saturday on the 2nd floor of the Madison Pub (14 Madison Avenue). ***Attend either or both events for just $5 total!*** Meet Toronto locals and international friends. Talk to language teachers and speakers to learn English, French, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and much more! **Join us for:** ✅ Language Exchanges and Learning in a Fun Setting ✅ Meeting New Friends & Networking ✅ Board Games & Activities ✅ (Post-event) on-site Madison Pub dancing, piano bar, singing & more! Make sure to get a nametag from one of our helpers. *You **must** read the full event description in the meetup app before attending. By attending, you agree to all the terms listed.*

This group is to discuss and practice our French . Everu

For February, we'll read The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad 304 pages First published in 1907 About the book: Mr Verloc, the secret agent, keeps a shop in London's Soho where he lives with his wife Winnie, her infirm mother, and her idiot brother, Stevie. When Verloc is reluctantly involved in an anarchist plot to blow up the Greenwich Observatory things go disastrously wrong, and what appears to be "a simple tale" proves to involve politicians, policemen, foreign diplomats, and London's fashionable society in the darkest and most surprising interrelations.

Hey Toronto! This is your weekly escape into global cultures. [[[Click this WhatsApp Groupchat Link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GyoGCkYt392Bi8c9nOP2d4) ] Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people in their 20s and 30s gather for a mix of language practice, travel stories, and community. Whether you’re new in town or born here, this is where world citizens connect. No judgment, no pressure — just pure, human interaction.

MASQUERADE DANCE PARTY Saturday February 21st 7.30pm -12.30 The Palais Royale 1601 Lakeshore Blvd West Join us for a special MASQUERADE DANCE PARTY where you can dance, mix, mingle and have fun dressing up. Complimentary masks and beads will be given out. It’s your opportunity to meet some new friends or maybe meet that someone special. A great DJ will have you energized to sounds of music from the past to the present. Please, no jeans please. The cover is only $25.00 at the door. The parking is free. For more info call 416-236-8222, Complimentary Masquerade masks and beads will be given out.

# 🚊✨ 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. 🥂🍳

Hello everyone, I'd like to invite you out to our **Dinner with Friends Gratitude Party! (AT SMOKE SHOW)** -Reserved seating, friendly people, good conversation and great food awaits! So please plan to join us if you can :) \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a fantastic evening **Time: 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.** **Location:** Smoke Show **Address:** 744 Mt. Pleasant, Toronto Event Details Bellow: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) Event Details: **Dinner with Friends Gratitude Party! (Dinner, Cocktails and Conversations) (February 22nd)** -The great thing about this dinner party is you're free to move around to different tables and meet the other members too throughout the evening **Dinner Party Topics** may include but not limited too: Travel, Culture, Spirituality, Relationships, Modern Dating, Work/Life balance, Art, Technology, Economy, Music, Modern Living, The Good Life, Passions, Idea, Movies, Sports, Fashion, Hobbies, Books, Psychology, Philosophy, the Future, History, Pop Culture, Theatre, etc.) **Arrival Time:** \*Join us any time between 6:30 pm and 7:15 pm (if you can) for a fun and highly interactive evening as we get to know the members over dinner and great conversations (of your choice) Event goes until roughly 9:30 pm **Event Fee:** 5 dollars (cash only please) (HST included) or in advance by e transfer to **[steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://steveflemming11@gmail.com/)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminder:** \*One beverage or appetizer minimum to support the venue- this is greatly appreciated :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of free street parking on Eglinton, and Paid parking on Mt. Pleasant **Close to Subway Station:** \*15 minute walk from the Yonge/Eglinton subway station :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Hello everyone, I'd like to invite you out to a fun-filled afternoon with this fantastic party social game called **MUSIC BINGO** Everyone can play (It's easy to learn and most of all it's a lot of fun) \*Joined by my other groups too so we can anticipate a fabulous day :) **Where to Meet us?** **Date: Sunday February 22nd** **Arrive between 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm** **Location:** La Carnita - Good Fortune Bar (Main Floor) **Address:** 130 Eglinton Ave. Toronto, ON M4P 2X9 Event Details Below: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Music Bingo Host) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Details of Event:** **\*MUSIC BINGO\*** **(An Afternoon of Fun, Treats and Great Music!)** -Lots of laughs and thrills in store as we enjoy a terrific afternoon making new friends, singing along (optional) and playing **MUSIC BINGO;** hosted in a super fun designed format :) \*Treats handed out to the winning participants during each round we play \*Invite your friends or come on your own! **Event Fee:** 10 dollars at the door (cash only please) Includes: **Music Bingo,** treats, reserved room/seating, lots of laughs and plenty of fun people to play the game with) \*or e-transfer in advance to **steveflemming11@gmail.com** \-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminders:** -Please arrive between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm \*Music Bingo will start shortly after that (Invite your friends out too if you like) **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of free street parking on Eglinton and (Residential area south/east of venue for free) **Close to Subway Station:** \*Also right beside the Yonge/Eglinton subway station

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

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

**NEW LOCATION: Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: * 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. * 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). See the handy Parking Map - we recommend street parking. [Street Parking Map](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1u2A4fLNlxwLJn0KA_hKc8bnFlFHLvsHBDh-_8wzX_tk/edit?usp=sharing) We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact centralohpython@gmail.com

Come check us out! You will have a wonderful time! The music and friendships are life-changing!

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia