Serious Games

**Hello every boardgame enjoyer!** We'll continue our weekly boardgame evenings every Wednesday in Drehmoment (Glasgower Str. 29, 13349 Berlin) from 19:00. You are all invited to join us! You can expect a lot of fun light games suitable for the location. We have a small library of games you are free to use (but you are also encouraged to bring your own). The games are fast so feel free to join any time! Gamers of all experience levels are welcome. Drehmoment is a classic Berlin bar, they offer varius drinks and have the best cocktails in Wedding. We have a big room in the back just for us. We are allowed to bring your own food and they have snacks for sale. A couple of ground rules that we take seriously: 1. We are guests at Drehmoment, please treat their staff with respect. 2. There is no entry fee but please support the bar by buying drinks or snacks while you are playing. 3. Be efficient in your seating and kind to other patrons. See you on Wednesday

Welcome to the board game night in Zehlendorf. No matter if you like Carcassonne or Spirit Island, we have all sorts of modern board games in our collection and can give you a quick run through, so that you don't have to read through the rulebooks. But, of course, feel free to bring your favorite game too. It's a 1.5€ fee that goes to the Mittelhof e.V. association. Bring your drinks and snacks.

Welcome to our weekly Netrunner meetup! What? Android: Netrunner When? Every Wednesday at 7 pm Where? Stadtteilzentrum Friedrichshain, Pauline-Staegemann-Straße 6, 10249 Berlin You are new to the game and want to try it out? Just come over – we always have beginner friendly decks with us and are happy to teach you the game! If you're interested in joining us and play some Netrunner, please join our discord server: https://discord.gg/rQVM8XZsBF (It's better to ask beforehand since sometimes the meetups are canceled because nobody is going to make it). We would be happy to welcome you! *** For more information and updates, join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NetrunnerBerlin

Train Your Brain Confidence & Adaptability Under Pressure What if confidence, adaptability, and decision-making could be trained through play? This interactive workshop introduces Cognitive Agility Through Chess — a beginner-friendly experience designed to strengthen focus, resilience, strategic thinking, and communication in a supportive and engaging environment. This is not a traditional chess class. Chess is used as a tool for reflection, collaboration, adaptability, and cognitive development through interactive challenges and guided exercises. WHAT TO EXPECT ♟️ Beginner-friendly introduction to chess fundamentals 🧠 Interactive cognitive and strategic challenges 🤝 Team-based and collaborative gameplay ⚡ Exercises focused on adaptability and thinking under pressure 💬 Guided reflection and discussion THIS EXPERIENCE SUPPORTS • Confidence-building • Strategic thinking • Communication • Adaptability • Emotional resilience • Cognitive flexibility • Decision-making under pressure WHO IS THIS FOR? Women interested in: • self-development • leadership • psychology • strategy • meaningful social connection • cognitive performance • creative and reflective experiences No chess experience is needed. EVENT DETAILS 📍 Motel One — Invalidenstraße 54, 10557 Berlin 🕒 2 Hours 👥 Limited small group experience, from 6-12 participants per event PILOT SESSION This is part of a limited founding pilot series in Berlin designed to create a thoughtful, engaging, and collaborative learning experience. FACILITATED BY Radwa Omar Founder & Cognitive Agility Facilitator Train Your Brain — Cognitive Agility Through Chess Train how you think. Elevate how you perform.

Join us for a daily chess meetup in the heart of Berlin at Schönhauser Allee 174. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, feel free to drop by anytime between 7 PM and midnight, every single day of the week. No registration is required – just show up and enjoy a game in a fun, inclusive, and casual environment. Newcomers can take advantage of a friendly crash course to get started, while experienced players share strategies, discuss best practices, and even explore quirky variants like Duck Chess or Bughouse. Boards, sets, and clocks are provided, with time controls up to 10 minutes per player for a rapid, engaging experience. It’s the perfect way to unplug, detox from screens, and connect with a diverse, kind-hearted community of chess lovers. The gathering welcomes all levels and backgrounds, creating a vibrant, family-friendly space where everyone can enjoy the game and forge real connections.

Dieser besondere Deutschkurs ist für alle, die mit Spiel und Spaß ihr Deutsch verbessern wollen. Wir sind eine kleine Gruppe (max. 15 Personen) von Deutschlernern zwischen A2 - B2 und machen Theater-Improvisation auf Deutsch. Aber keine Angst - das kann jede/jeder lernen! Der Fokus liegt vorallem auf Sprechen und Verstehen, so daß du in Alltagssituationen spontaner reagieren kannst und mit dem Sprechen auf Deutsch flüssiger wirst. Ich bin sowohl Deutschdozentin als auch Theaterschauspielerin und entwickle diese Methode seit mehr als 10 Jahren. Der Kurs ist immer mittwochs und du bist herzlich willkommen, vorbeizukommen und uns kennenzulernen. Das 1. Mal kostet der Kurs 12 Euro zum Kennenlernen. Ein 10er Ticket kostet 160 Euro. Ein 5er Ticket 95 Euro und der Drop-in-Preis ist 20 Euro. Ich freue mich auf Euch. Bei Fragen kannst du mich gerne kontaktieren. liebe Grüße Nina

Thursday Game Night in Friedrichshain at RuDi´s. The biggest, oldest and longest running Berlin Board gaming weekly meetup. Please join us for an evening of gaming. Everyone is welcome and everyone can find a table for themselves. There is plenty of tables for core gamers, and as many tables with welcoming games. And also tables with party games and social deduction. *** **🎲 Games & Food 🍪** We'll have around 50ish games ([Check out our collection!](https://boardgamegeek.com/collection/user/RuDi_Library?objecttype=thing&ff=1&subtype=boardgame&own=1)), but please feel free to bring your favorite games with you. We have some snacks and beverages, but you can also bring your own food & drinks. **💰 Entrance is 2 € 💰** Please pay the entrance fee in the kitchen on the ground floor. You can pay when you arrive or before you leave, but don't forget! **📍 How to get there 📍** We're located right between S/U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße and S-Bahn station Ostkreuz. Consult [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQn6hnKu3Tpy9gG48) or [Open Street Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?from=&to=52.502457%2C13.457166) to find the exact way from your place to the meetup. If you get lost, call us (see "how to contact us?" in this event description below). **👥 Discord server 👥** Try our Berlin Board Gamers Discord server to chat and find other players. You can use it to prearrange games for the Thursday meetup, find players for gaming sessions you want to host at home on other days, and even buy and sell used board games. Join us now: [https://discord.gg/6Wsncta](https://discord.gg/6Wsncta) **🤗 How should I behave? 🌈** We value diversity, inclusion, and respect in our community. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable at our events, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of their identity. To ensure a positive and safe environment for everyone, we ask all participants to **follow our [Code of Conduct](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pn_TLJyPx4HDjrQPbwjQkoF7EbLmqVNRY2CT_zq2qEk/edit?usp=sharing)**. **❓ FAQ ❓** "Is it a problem if I only speak English?" * No problem, all games are played in English. "Is it okay if I come later?" * Sure, you might have to wait a little until a new game is started though. "It's my first time and I'm unsure what to do / everyone seems to be playing already..." * Seek us out (ask somebody to help you find an organizer or ask by name for Andi, Hannes, Elli, Angelika, Sanja, Malte, Aaron, or Will and we'll give you a little introductory tour. :) "Is it okay if i bring my dog?" * No, the community center won't allow it. "I'm using a wheelchair. Can I attend the meetup?" * Yes! The venue has a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a wheelchair lift in the back of the building. It would be great if you could contact us beforehand, so we can make sure that the lift will be operational on the specific day. "Can I donate a game to the meetup?" * It depends. We have limited storage space and can only accept donations of popular games that will be played often. Please contact us for more details. **📞 How to contact us? ✉️** * In case of an **emergency** or a time-sensitive question (e.g. you got lost on your way to the meetup), call: 0179 9309 418 * For all other matters, write in the #rudi-friedrichshain channel on our Discord server (you'll find a join link in this event description) or leave a comment here on meetup.com * For sensitive matters, write a DM to Angelika Cathor on Discord or here on meetup.com

Join our Backgammon Meetup to play, socialize, and enjoy this classic game! Everyone’s welcome! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player. Expect fun, friendly games, laughter, and new friends. With the nice weather and the beautiful lakeside setting, it’s a perfect place to enjoy a few games and spend time together. Hopefully we can make the most of a sunny summer afternoon! ☀️🎲⛲️🍻🌳 👉 Please RSVP only if you plan to attend. 👉 Bring your own set if you have one. **How to Play (Quick Guide):** - Each player has 15 checkers and moves them toward their home board. - Dice rolls decide how many spaces you can move. - Land on an opponent’s single checker to send it to the bar. - Once all your checkers are home, start bearing off (removing them). - First to remove all checkers wins! **Fun Fact:** The Origin of Backgammon: Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games, with roots deeply embedded in the ancient civilisations of Mesopotamia. But it is in Persia, where the game truly flourished and evolved into what we now know as 'Takhte Nard'. Archaeological findings suggest that early forms of backgammon were played in Iran over 5,000 years ago. Artifacts such as game boards and dice have been discovered in sites like 'Shahr-e Sukhteh' (The Burnt City), indicating the game’s ancient origins.

Train Your Brain Through Chess A Fun & Interactive Cognitive Agility Experience What if you could challenge your brain, meet interesting people, and learn new ways of thinking — all through play? Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly workshop that combines chess, psychology, strategy, and interactive activities to explore how we think, solve problems, adapt, and make decisions. This is not a traditional chess class. Chess becomes a tool for exploration, collaboration, creativity, and cognitive agility through games, challenges, and guided activities. What to Expect ♟️ Beginner-friendly introduction to chess 🧠 Fun cognitive and strategic challenges 🤝 Team-based and collaborative activities ⚡ Interactive games focused on adaptability and problem-solving 💬 Reflection, discussion, and shared learning 🎯 A relaxed and engaging social experience Skills We Explore • Strategic thinking • Communication • Adaptability • Cognitive flexibility • Problem-solving • Focus and attention • Decision-making under pressure Who Is This For? Anyone interested in: • Personal development • Psychology and human behavior • Strategy and critical thinking • Meeting like-minded people • Fun and meaningful social activities • Learning something new in a supportive environment No chess experience is required. Event Details 📍 Motel One — Invalidenstraße 54, 10557 Berlin 🕒 2 Hours 👥 Small-group experience (6–12 participants) Facilitated by Radwa Omar Founder & Cognitive Agility Facilitator Train Your Brain — Cognitive Agility Through Chess ♟️ Think. Adapt. Play. Connect

Im Jungfernheideweg 77, 13629 Berlin treffen wir uns zwischen 16.30 Uhr und 22.30 Uhr wieder um gemeinsam Brett- und Gesellschaftsspiele zu daddeln. Das Angebot richtet sich an alle Interessierten. Kinder bitte erst ab 12 Jahre. Eine Vielzahl toller Brettspiele sind vor Ort, es können aber auch gerne eigene mitgebracht werden. PS: Es wäre sehr hilfreich wenn die Leute, die sich anmelden und dann doch nicht können, sich auch wieder abmelden vorher. danke schön

**Looking for a fun, social outdoor sport in Berlin this summer?** Join us to get to know Strandvölkerball - a German twist on dodgeball played on sand! **🏐 What is Strandvölkerball** Strandvölkerball is a **German version of dodgeball played on sand**, combining quick reflexes, teamwork, and a lot of laughs. No experience needed! Most people who join are beginners or haven't played since school. Our ball is very soft! **📍Central Berlin Location** We play **weekly games right next to the East Side Gallery** **in Friedrichshain**, one of the most iconic spots in Berlin. It's the perfect setting for enjoying summer evenings, moving in the sand, and meeting new people. You also have a great view of the beautiful Oberbaumbrücke. **🌞 Weekly Social Games - All Levels Welcome** * **Mixed games every week during the summer** * Focused on **fun, movement, and community** * **Beginner-friendly** – easy to learn, no pressure * Come solo or bring friends! * **Check back on the day of the event** \- sometimes we have to cancel due to **heat, storm, or lack of participants** During the season, some of our training sessions may be reserved for tournament preparation. **🏆 Friendly Tournaments & Special Events** We also host occasional **tournaments**, which are still focused on **fun and inclusive competition**. To join a tournament, you should visit at least some of our social games to learn the rules. Please read the tournament descriptions carefully. 🔥 **Season Highlight: The StrandVÖLKERball-WM** Our biggest event is the **StrandVÖLKERball-WM**, a multi-day festival with: * Teams from all over Germany * Great music, good vibes, and lots of high-quality Strandvölkerball games * Open participation, attend a few trainings, and you'll likely find a team * Want to start your own team? Awesome! Register at: [strandvoelkerball.de/wm-landing/](https://strandvoelkerball.de/wm-landing/) **If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us or check our [Website](https://strandvoelkerball.de/).** We can help you with everything, from joining your first social game to finding a team for one of the tournaments. \-\-\- **Auf der Suche nach einem unterhaltsamen, geselligen Outdoor-Sport in Berlin diesen Sommer?** Komm zu uns und lerne Strandvölkerball kennen – eine deutsche Variante von Völkerball, die im Sand gespielt wird! **🏐 Was ist Strandvölkerball** Strandvölkerball ist eine deutsche **Variante von Völkerball, die im Sand gespielt wird** und schnelle Reflexe, Teamwork und jede Menge Spaß vereint. Keine Vorkenntnisse erforderlich! Die meisten Teilnehmer sind Anfänger oder haben seit ihrer Schulzeit nicht mehr gespielt. Unser Ball ist sehr weich! **📍Mitten in Berlin** Wir spielen wöchentlich **direkt neben der East Side Gallery in Friedrichshain**, einem der bekanntesten Orte Berlins. Es ist der perfekte Ort, um Sommerabende zu genießen, sich im Sand zu bewegen und neue Leute kennenzulernen. Außerdem hat man einen tollen Blick auf die schöne Oberbaumbrücke. **🌞 Wöchentliche Community Games - Alle Spielstärken willkommen** * **Jede Woche im Sommer gemischte Spiele** * **Spaß, Bewegung und Gemeinschaft** stehen im Vordergrund * **Anfängerfreundlich –** leicht zu lernen, kein Druck * Komm alleine oder bring Freunde mit! * **Schau am Tag der Veranstaltung noch einmal vorbei** – manchmal müssen wir aufgrund von **Hitze, Sturm oder zu wenigen Teilnehmern** absagen. Während der Saison können einige unserer Trainingseinheiten für die Turniervorbereitung reserviert sein. **🏆 Freundschaftsturniere & Sonderveranstaltungen** Wir veranstalten auch gelegentlich **Turniere**, bei denen der **Spaß und der integrative Wettkampf** im Vordergrund stehen. Um an einem Turnier teilzunehmen, sollten Sie mindestens einige unserer Community Games besuchen, um die Regeln zu lernen. Bitte lesen Sie die Turnierbeschreibungen sorgfältig durch. 🔥 **Saison-Highlight: Die StrandVÖLKERball-WM** Unser größtes Event ist die **StrandVÖLKERball-WM**, ein mehrtägiges Turnier mit: * Teams aus ganz Deutschland * Toller Musik, guter Stimmung und vielen hochkarätigen Strandvölkerball-Spielen * Offene Teilnahme – Nimm an ein paar Trainingseinheiten teil und du wirst mit Sicherheit ein Team finden! * Möchten Du dein eigenes Team gründen? Super! Registrier dich unter: [strandvoelkerball.de/wm-landing/](https://strandvoelkerball.de/wm-landing/) **Wenn Du Fragen hast, zöger bitte nicht, uns zu kontaktieren oder unsere [Website](https://strandvoelkerball.de/) zu besuchen.** Wir helfen dir gerne weiter, vom ersten Community Game bis hin zur Suche nach einem Team für eines der Turniere.

**🧡 Hello Dear Chess Enthusiasts!** **☕ Participation fee** **You must buy a drink or food before sitting.** (**We were warned that** **you cannot sit without buying a drink.** This is a private café. Outside food or drinks are not allowed.) **📢 Chess Board** Please bring it if you have one. Otherwise, you may need to wait to play. **🕥 Please arrive on time** If you are more than 30 minutes late, there might be no table. The venue is reserved until 1:00 pm, so we should prepare to leave by that time. **📌 Location** The Bode Museum Café is on the first floor. Walk up the stairs. No ticket needed; just tell the staff you’re going to the café. **✨ Chess for fun** This meetup is organized by beginners for beginners and enthusiasts who are eager to practice, improve, and enjoy chess in a friendly and supportive environment. **📖 Basic knowledge is good to have.** ( [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_chess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_chess) ) **📷 Instagram** [https://www.instagram.com/berlin_chess_club/](https://www.instagram.com/berlin_chess_club/) **💬 WhatsApp Group** This group is only for event participants. To get access, please ask the host during the event. 🚩**We have no tolerance for discriminatory(sexist, racist, and other) jokes or comments.** **🌸 Thank you & See you** *Photos and videos may be taken for social media and memories. Let an organizer know if you prefer not to be filmed.*

We play any kind of board and card games. Most of them are german or language neutral games. It doesn't matter if you are casual or core player. The main thing is to meet and have fun. Bring your own game or choose one of about 150 games we have on site. You want to play a certain game you don't own, ask Björn (spielfest-berlin@email.de) if he can bring it or ask in the comments. Please RSVP if you like to come. It makes things way easier to organize, if we know how big the boardgame-enjoying-crowd gonna be. If the front door is locked, call Björn 0049157 746 300 78 or someone named on the door sign. Entrance is 3€ and can be paid on-site (prepay is not possible). There will be snacks, tee, coffee and soft drinks for little money as well. Of course you can bring your own food/drinks as well. No Animals allowed. Try our discord channel to chat and find other players. https://discord.gg/dCXGmy2

We're going to GameArena! We'll be in-person at the GameArena Gateway for our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event. Come to play and showcase your games! We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [www.game-arena.co](http://www.game-arena.co/) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games is all the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. For this event, light snacks from the bar and water will be provided! Though you can purchase you own if you like at the bar: [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~20 per person. Soft drink refills are 1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area. Parking can sometimes fill esrly. There is additional parking lot behind the neighboring Mexican restaurant that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations. 
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that. We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Worthington, and parts of Westerville and Columbus. 
Feel free to bring your own games or play one of the many games our members bring. If you are inexperienced, we will help you learn. 
Here are just a few examples of the kind of games we play. 
Tabletop/board games: Splendor, Catan, Azul, Dominion, 7 Wonders… 
Social deduction games: Code Names, Chameleon, Werewords… 
IMPORTANT: 
1. While we love playing a variety of games and competing, we are not just about the games. We interact and talk while playing, and this leads to a lot of laughter and fun. If you just want to compete and focus solely on the game, then this is probably not the group you are looking for. 
2. Many people join groups like this and never (or rarely) show up after weeks or months. If you join and never really come, we will eventually remove you from the group as a courtesy to our members. Why? Because limiting group conversations (on the app) to regular members makes communication and planning much easier. Also, while it may be rare, it protects members from people who join because they are interested in following a person instead of having a real interest in our group. If you get removed, it is just because you haven’t come, and we follow this protocol as a courtesy to our regular game players.

**🌙 St. Petersburg Singles Night — Speed Dating Over Zoom** Hosted Zoom rounds, St. Petersburg singles your speed, and matches sent the next day. Easy as that. **Here's how the night runs:** - Register and take a short personality quiz - Jump on Zoom when the event starts - Meet singles in guided one-on-one rounds - Get your mutual matches by email afterward **Pick the age range that fits you:** → **Ages 18-32** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=18-32&face_v=8.0) → **Ages 30-46** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=30-46&face_v=8.0) → **Ages 40-58** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=40-58&face_v=8.0) → **Ages 55+** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=55+&face_v=8.0) > Important: RSVP is not the same as registering. Use your age link below and complete the quiz to secure a place. Limited capacity. Register, relax, and let the night do the work. 🥂

**🌹 Speed Dating Night for St. Petersburg Singles — On Zoom** Spend an evening meeting St. Petersburg singles face to face on Zoom, matched by age and personality before you arrive. **What to expect:** - Register and take a short personality quiz - Jump on Zoom when the event starts - Meet singles in guided one-on-one rounds - Get your mutual matches by email afterward **Find your bracket and grab a seat:** → **Ages 18-32** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=local-singles-seeking-genuine-connection-brunch-club&ar=18-32&face_v=6.0) → **Ages 30-46** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=local-singles-seeking-genuine-connection-brunch-club&ar=30-46&face_v=6.0) → **Ages 40-58** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=local-singles-seeking-genuine-connection-brunch-club&ar=40-58&face_v=6.0) → **Ages 55+** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=St.%20Petersburg&groupurlname=local-singles-seeking-genuine-connection-brunch-club&ar=55+&face_v=6.0) > Note: clicking RSVP alone won't get you in. Register via your age group and take the quiz. Places fill up. See you on Zoom, St. Petersburg. 🌷

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.

We are going to build together with all the CLIs! E will be doing it at Columbus Code and Coffee Agenda --- Hosted By James Power, Organizer Pete Gordon, Organizer Just a Software Guy in the age of the Internet. Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-columbus-presents-ai-improv-lets-build-a-game-together-with-claude-code-codex-and-gemini-and-be-the-judge/.