Intelligent Conversation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out intelligent conversation events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the intelligent conversation events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
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Intelligent Conversation Events Today
Join in-person Intelligent Conversation events happening right now
The future of Cellular Wellness
**Join us for an exclusive evening exploring the future of cellular wellness.**
This event introduces VeraCell - a breakthrough in advanced immune support, grounded in how the body communicates and responds at a cellular level. More than just a product launch, this is a first look at a new approach to health that is gaining global attention.
If you’re curious about where wellness is heading, with a Social conscience, this is a conversation worth being part of.
Women in Cloud - Data meets AI
We’re excited to bring our community together again — this time with a focus on **data and AI**.
This event will start with a deep dive into how modern organisations turn raw data into meaningful insights — covering the full data journey from collection to decision-making & cloud solutions that enable it.
We’ll then shift into the world of AI, exploring how cloud-powered solutions can go beyond automation to build systems that truly listen, understand, and create real human impact.
Whether you’re working with data, curious about AI, or somewhere in between, this evening is designed to give you practical perspectives from both sides.
**Topics**
**1\. Turning Data into Decisions: The End\-to\-End Data Journey**
Modern digital products generate large volumes of data through user actions, system events, and integrations. This talk explores the end-to-end data lifecycle — from event tracking and data pipelines to storage in cloud platforms.
Anlita will cover how raw data is cleaned, organised, and modelled into structured, analytics-ready datasets, and how cloud features like scalable storage and distributed processing help manage growing data efficiently. By connecting data flows to business use cases, the session shows how organisations turn everyday data into reliable metrics, dashboards, and actionable insights.
**About the speaker**
[Anlita Chaisrisukumporn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anlita-chaisrisukumporn-174690183/) is a Lead Data Analyst in the Platform team at [Easygo](https://easygo.io/). She works closely with business, product, and engineering teams to deliver meaningful data insights that support operational and strategic decision-making. Her work focuses on strengthening the data platform and enabling teams across the organisation to better understand product performance and drive business improvements through data.
**2\. Cloud with Compassion \- Agentic voice AI which truely listens**
What if AI could do more than automate tasks — what if it could truly care? In this session, Vanitha will take you on a journey of building a Voice Agentic AI solution on AWS that goes beyond technology — it listens, it understands, and it acts when it matters most.
A solution born not just from engineering, but from empathy.
Come discover how cloud technology, when built with compassion, can become a lifeline for those who need it most.
**About the speaker**
[Vanitha Kaliyaperumal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanitha-kaliyaperumal/) is a Lead Engineer at [Versent](https://versent.com.au/) with over 25 years of IT experience across Telecommunications, Resources, Banking and Software industries. She has a proven track record in architecting and delivering mission-critical platforms across both On-premises and Cloud environments including AWS, Azure, and Oracle. Vanitha brings deep expertise spanning Monolithic to Cloud transformation, Microservices, DevOps, Security and is deeply passionate about harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence to build solutions that create real human impact. She is a passionate advocate for Women in Tech and Building AI for Social Good.
**Agenda**
5:30pm – Food and networking
6:00pm – Presentation 1. Turning Data into Decisions: The End-to-End Data Journey
6:30pm – Presentation 2. Cloud with Compassion - Agentic voice AI which truely listens
7:10pm – Quiz
7:20pm – Networking
We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors — [Easygo](https://easygo.io/), [Mantel](https://mantelgroup.com.au/) and [REA group](https://www.rea-group.com/) — for supporting our community and making this event possible.
Join us for an evening of learning, meaningful conversations, and great company, we can’t wait to see you there!
A Critique of Atheism.
## **SEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA)** \- Melbourne\.
In-Person Lecture/Discussion.
***"A Critique of Atheism."***
**Steven Higson** will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Wikipedia's entry on **[Atheism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism)**
*\~ SoFiA promotes the open exploration of religion, spirituality and the search for meaning. They welcome ALL viewpoints, including Atheism.\~*
Enquiries: sofmelb@iprimus.com.au
**[SOFiA Website](http://www.sof-in-australia.org/).**
**[Facebook: 'Sofiatalk'](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sofiatalk/)** \- Please join their ongoing discussions\.
(150+ People) Meet People in Melbourne – International Social Night
**Welcome to our Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍**
We meet weekly at **La Di Da — 577 Little Bourke Street (Melbourne CBD).**
We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3 at entry** to support the venue.
***
### 💬 Find your people (New!)
Looking to practice a specific language?
Post in the discussion using:
* **#LearnSpanish**
* **#LearnEnglish**
* **#TeachEnglish**
* **#LearnJapanese**
* etc.
👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect.
***
### 📲 Join our WhatsApp Community
Stay connected before and after the event, meet people, and find language partners:
👉 **Join here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ)
***
### ⏰ What to expect
We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups).
People arrive at different times —
**best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.**
Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally.
***
### 🌏 Who attends?
A mix of:
* Native & non-native English speakers
* International students
* Backpackers & working holiday travellers
* Professionals & expats
* Local Australians
You’ll meet people from:
Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more.
***
### 🗣️ Why join?
👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English
👉 Meet people from around the world
👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations
***
### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS!
We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social.
👉 You’ll get:
* Free drinks (beer/soft drink)
* Food (pizza, wedges, etc.)
* A fun team to hang out with
No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**.
Interested?
👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer)
***
📲 **More info:**
[https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU)
or **@Linguas.AU**
Spiritual Growth Begins Tonight.
THESE NIGHTS ARE for those Ready to gain more information about Spiritual Growth, THE JOURNEY. It has been slotted to run for 3 Hours, but anyone can stay the entire time or freely choose to leave early.
I have DVD or CD recordings that help those interested get a far greater understanding about Jesus / Isa / Yoshua's Teachings (Same Brilliant man/ Eternal Soul when on Earth and named Differently by 3 Different Religions - Christian - Jesus, Muslim - Isa and Jewish - Yoshua). There are also DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Other Smart Spiritual and Gifted Teachers of The Human Mind. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations. We can workout on the night what to listen to or discuss to advance The Group Spiritually. There are Guided Meditations, The Entire - A Course in Miracles and many of The Current and Recently Departed Famous Spiritual Teachers on CD. There are also DVD's and CD's for learning how to control Emotions and Reduce Stress.
NOTE: SPIRITUAL TRUTH can be stranger than what most humans call fiction on this planet!!!
The Universal Source is "Unconditionally Loving for Eternity."
There has never been and there can never be The Wrath of God or a Final Judgement Day where The Creator, God, Allah, Yhvh or any other given name, who deals out what The Insane Human Ego believes humans deserve.
SOURCE ENERGY IS ETERNAL AND IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING, AS ARE WE THE ETERNAL SOULS CONNECTED TO IT, HOWEVER WE AS HUMAN SOULS APPEAR TO BE LIVING IN MORTAL BODIES ON PLANET EARTH AT THE EFFECT OF THE HUMAN EGO.
Spiritual Growth for Those that Are Ready.
Are YOU Ready and Willing to go further along your SPIRITUAL JOURNEY, without forcing yourself to FIND TIME TO READ ABOUT IT?
''A Course in Miracles (ACIM)" is The Channelled Works of Jesus / Isa / Yoshua (SAME HUMAN BEING - Named Differently By Different religions) from 1965 - 1972. It Supplements and can go beyond anything The Bible, The Koran and The Torah has taught you. Find Out if you are ready to experience TRUE Spiritual Growth Beyond Religious Teachings (THE ACTUAL PROMISED: SECOND COMING) that have been Edited, Re-Translated across One or More languages or Added to for The Suppression of Women. It Upholds the prophecies from those three mentioned holy books, but explains Truth more easily than they are able to for the ordinary 21st Century human being. We don't need to know esoteric teachings handed down by Mystical Schools, to RETURN HOME TO SOURCE ENERGY. You have free will to decide when you will commence your Journey HOME from Earth.
We can Listen to Recordings of the above mentioned works.
Alternatively, I also have DVD or CD recordings from Joseph Campbell, Deepak Chopra, Mother Theresa, Stuart Wilde, David Hawkins, Esther Hicks, Dennis Waitley, Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer and Others. Topics that can be covered include: How "A Course in Miracles" came to be, Near Death Experiences, The Second Coming, The Evolution of Mankind's Spiritual Understanding, The Human Ego, Buddhism, The Christian Teachings EDITED FROM The Bible, Taoism, Ayurveda, Zen, Chi, The Bhagavad - Gita and Guided Meditations.
This meet up is stated to last 3 hours, but as some can be too busy for that length of time, you are welcome to leave early, without it being a problem to me.
NOTE: LEARNING SPIRITUAL TRUTH can be strange and stir up The Human Ego/ The Fake Will for some on this planet, but without putting in the time to do so, our Spiritual Growth is HINDERED GREATLY!!!
SOURCE ENERGY IS ETERNAL AND IS ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY LOVING.
There has never been and there can never be The Wrath of God or a Final Judgement Day where The Creator, God, Allah, Yhvh or The Man-like Figure with The Long White Beard surrounded by Angels, who support Him as He deals out what The Ego believes humans deserve.
WE ARE ETERNAL SOULS CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER'S SOUL AND SOURCE ENERGY FOREVER. WE APPEAR TO BE LIVING IN MORTAL BODIES ON PLANET EARTH AT THE EFFECT OF THE HUMAN EGO, BUT IS THAT COMPLETELY TRUE?
Celebrating the Builders in Blockchain and AI
[Cloudtech ](https://www.cloudtechgroup.com.au/ "https://www.cloudtechgroup.com.au/")Group has launched its newest Block Club in Melbourne and is proud to host this free event to celebrate the Builders in Blockchain and AI.
### Who is building in Blockchain and AI and what are they building, you will hear from:
* [Karen Cohen ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacohen/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacohen/")aka “blockmum” is the [Founder and Director of Emerging Tech HUB](https://emergingtechhub.io/ "https://emergingtechhub.io/"), MC
* [Effie Dimitropoulos](https://www.linkedin.com/in/edimitropoulos/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/edimitropoulos/"), CEO [AUDD](https://www.audd.digital/ "https://www.audd.digital/"), Stablecoin
* [Dan Voyce](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielvoyce/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielvoyce/"), Founder, [Certant.AI](https://www.certant.ai/ "https://www.certant.ai/")
* [Donna McConnell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iswys-donnamcconnell/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/iswys-donnamcconnell/"), Co-Founder of ISWYS and [Rasters]( https://raster.finance/ ) APAC representative
* [Tim Russell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-russell-8b2065103/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-russell-8b2065103/"), CEO, [TangibleX](https://tangiblex.com.au/ "https://tangiblex.com.au/")
Join us for Pizza and drinks will be provided, followed by drinks locally.
If you arrive late please call John on 0413 924 696
**Please note**
The information provided at this event is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investments are subject to market risk, and there is no guarantee of profits. Investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. You should be aware of the risks associated with investing before making any decisions. The information presented on this website is not tailored to your specific financial situation or investment objectives. It is crucial to consider your individual circumstances and risk tolerance before making any investment choices.
**By accepting this invitation your details will be shared with both the sponsor and the speaker organisation. This event maybe be filmed and or photographed.**
Intelligent Conversation Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Freedom & Chocolate
Come for a delicious Hawker style Vietnamese meal and settle in for a meaningful conversation on "Freedom". Bring your favourite celebratory chocolate to share. We start our exploration using short selections from the Bahá’í teachings and other inspirational sources. The aim is to uplift, inspire and motivate; the conversation will benefit from all participants’ viewpoints. Everyone is invited to positively contribute to elevated conversations, inquiry, consultation and learning. As we learn from one another we hope to build new connections, bridges of unity and respect for all humanity.
Community Conversations: Educating the Whole Person
What if one of the most important opportunities in education was one we rarely talk about?
Join us for an evening exploring insights into how spiritual development in the education system can shape character, resilience, and our ability to navigate the ongoing challenges and opportunities of life.
Community Conversations provides a warm and inclusive space for meaningful discussions, and to spark positive initiatives in our neighbourhoods.
The evening will begin with a brief presentation by Andre Pitts, an educator with decades of experience in Melbourne schools, who will share his reflections on the theme.
This will be followed by shared group consultation, where we can explore the ideas together, along with time to connect, socialise, and enjoy light refreshments.
This is a free event and all are invited to attend.
Master the Art of the Consent
**Food for Thought Videos and Questions**
Watch curated YouTube videos on the topic at:
* [2 Minutes Will Change the Way You Think About Consent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laMtr-rUEmY)
* [Tea Consent](youtube.com/watch?v=fGoWLWS4-kU)
* [Consent for Kids](youtube.com/watch?v=h3nhM9UlJjc)
* [Consent: It's Simple](youtube.com/watch?v=pZwvrxVavnQ)
* [FRIES Consent model](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTSDIilyA2I)
**Conversation starter questions**
1. The tea analogy is beloved — but where does it fall short? What does comparing consent to tea get right, and what complexities does it flatten or ignore?
2. "No means no" vs "yes means yes" — what's the real difference? Is the shift from one standard to the other purely semantic, or does it change how people think and behave?
3. Can consent be truly free when power imbalances exist? Think about boss/employee, teacher/student, or even significant age gaps. Is "consent" in those contexts always genuine?
4. Is silence ever consent? What role does body language, context, and prior relationship play — and where does interpretation become assumption?
5. Should consent be enthusiastic to be valid? Some argue a reluctant but unpressured "okay" is still real consent. Others say anything less than enthusiasm isn't enough. Where do you land?
6. How do we talk about consent in long-term relationships? Does familiarity change the rules — or does it just make it easier to skip conversations we should still be having?
7. What role does social conditioning play in our ability to say no? Many people — especially women — are socialised to prioritise others' comfort. Does that compromise the meaning of their "yes"?
8. Consent isn't just sexual — where else does it show up? Think about sharing someone's story, tagging them in photos, hugging a colleague, or making decisions on someone's behalf. Are we applying the same standards everywhere?
9. Can you ever fully "take back" consent you gave in the past? If someone consented to something years ago but no longer would — how should we think about accountability, forgiveness, and growth?
10. Do you want to ask the group any other questions
\*\*\*
Meaningful Discussions events take place in 11 countries and this will be our 153rd event in Melbourne! :) Please be sure to ARRIVE ON TIME since everyone will be divided into tables of 6 people at the start time. Also, please watch at least one of the Food For Thought videos before you arrive.
This event will allow a thoughtful, respectful and engaging discussion with Food For Thought videos, discussion facilitators at each table and discussion questions provided. So if you're looking for open-minded, friendly and intelligent people, you've come to the right place!
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING DETAILS:
1. All members are asked to watch at least one of the Food For Thought videos before arrival to stimulate their thoughts and opinions on this subject.
2. Don't be afraid to sign up first for this event since I will cancel the event if less than 5 people sign up (which never happened in \~13 years). If the event is full, please add yourself to the waiting list for the event.
3. You don't need a PayPal account to pay online - look for the option to pay with a credit card when you RSVP. Meaningful Discussions is operated under the Meaningful Events Association which is a not-for-profit society registered in BC, Canada. RSVP fee is a nominal fee to ensure high attendance and as such non-refundable.
4. Your meal is not included in the price of this event but you are encouraged to arrive hungry for us to keep up a good relationship with the venue that hosts our events.
For more information or to attend events online, please visit:
https://www.buddytree.org/
You are required to follow COVID guidelines if any at the venue.
Soulful Sunday #4
A gentle space to slow down and connect — Soulful Sundays is about real conversations, shared presence, and meaningful human connection. We meet in person for heart-to-heart conversations in a welcoming, respectful environment. This group is for those who value sincerity, depth, and mutual support. Conversations often explore life, purpose, growth, and the human experience — grounded, open, and real. If you’re looking to build authentic, lasting connections with like-minded people, you’re warmly welcome.
Carlton Gardens, **Address:** 1-111 Carlton St, Carlton VIC 3053
**Where we meet: Royal Exhibition Building front steps.**
Thought Experiment: A What-If Event
Ever wondered how humanity would respond to an asteroid heading for Earth? Or how the world might react to first contact with aliens?
Welcome to **The Thought Experiment** — a new kind of meetup where we explore big *“What if…?”* scenarios in a fun but thoughtful way. Each session, we’ll pick one scenario (from global crises to wild sci-fi situations) and work together to imagine solutions, strategies, and possibilities.
This is for **curious minds of all kinds** — students, professionals, creatives, or anyone who enjoys thinking differently. Some people might bring research, others just bring imagination. Either way, we’ll brainstorm together and see where the discussion takes us.
[Thought Experiment Site](https://thoughtexperiment.au/)
**We ask everyone to Buy a drink at the venue**
**You Need to have Conversational English.**
**This is a 3PM start event.**
**Format:**
* Quick intro to the scenario
* Small-group discussions
* Share back with the group
* Wrap up + (optional) post-discussion drinks
For our first meetup, we’ll introduce the format, get to know each other, and jump into a scenario together.
Rome Exhibition and Discussion over Lunch
Join us to see Melbourne Museum’s special exhibition ‘ROME: Empire, Power, People’ followed by lively discussion about the relevance of themes such as power and human dignity, over lunch in Lygon Street.
Please scroll right through to end to see discussion points for lunch AND suggested prior reading link.
Meet at museum: 11.45 am
Exhibition: 12.00pm - 1.15pm
Walk to restaurant: 10min
Lunch: 1.30pm @ Il Gambero 166 Lygon Street
Indicate in comments if you are coming to exhibition and / or lunch.
***New Members:***
New members are more than welcome, we are a good-natured bunch who value friendship and exploring the realm of next wave humanism. Interested? Come and join the conversation!
***Cost:***
$35 adult, $30 senior, $30 concession
**PLEASE PURCHASE TICKET DIRECTLY ON MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR ROME: EMPIRE, POWER, PEOPLE FOR 12.00PM 19 APRIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT**
[https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/tickets/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/tickets/)
$5 CONTRIBUTION (IF YOU CAN) TOWARDS ONGOING OPERATIONAL COSTS
***About the exhibition:***
From the fall of Julius Caesar to the power and ambition of an Empire, the exhibition showcases the luxury of Imperial Rome, the spectacle of the gladiator arena, the bustling marketplaces and the everyday experiences of Romans.
Explore Ancient Rome’s political, social and spiritual worlds through over 180 objects dating from the Imperial period 1st Century CE to the 3rd Century CE, with all of the objects on display in Melbourne for the first time ever.
The splendour, drama and humanity of Rome is brought to life in detail with scenography and multimedia, giving visitors an immersive experience and vivid portrait of a civilisation that continues to shape our world today.
***Link with modern humanism and points for discussion over lunch:***
**🏛 Power, Citizenship, and Human Responsibility**
Rome’s political system—centralised under the emperor yet still tied to republican ideals—invites reflection on **human agency**, **leadership**, and **ethical governance**.
* The emperor’s authority shows how power can stabilise or destabilise societies, prompting questions about **justice**, **accountability**, and **the common good**.
* The expansion of citizenship, culminating in the *Constitutio Antoniniana* (212 CE), highlights evolving ideas about **belonging**, **rights**, and **inclusion**.
* The Senate, magistrates, and local elites demonstrate how communities negotiate **shared responsibility** and **public service**.
Humanist connection: Studying these structures encourages us in the 21st Century to consider what fair leadership looks like, how societies might distribute power, and how individuals contribute to civic life.
**🎨 Culture, Creativity, and the Value of Expression**
Roman cultural life—its literature, architecture, philosophy, and public entertainment—reveals a civilisation deeply invested in **human creativity** and **shared cultural identity**.
* Writers like Seneca, Pliny, and Juvenal explored moral questions, emotions, and the human condition.
* Monumental architecture expressed collective values: memory, pride, identity, and aspiration.
* Religious and philosophical traditions (Stoicism, mystery cults, local deities) show humans searching for meaning and ethical frameworks.
Humanist connection: These cultural expressions affirm the humanist belief that creativity, reflection, and intellectual inquiry enrich both individuals and communities.
**🏺 Social Life, Dignity, and the Human Condition**
Roman society was hierarchical, unequal, and often harsh—especially for enslaved people, women, and the poor. Yet it also reveals universal human experiences: family, work, belonging, resilience, and aspiration.
* The *familia* structure shows how people sought stability, identity, and continuity.
* Urban life—baths, markets, forums—demonstrates the importance of **community spaces** where people meet, talk, and coexist.
* The presence of slavery and inequality invites ethical reflection on **human dignity**, **freedom**, and **justice**.
Humanist connection: By examining both the achievements and injustices of Roman society, we can reflect on the importance of empathy, moral reasoning, and an understanding of how societies can uphold—or violate—human dignity.
**🌍 Why This Link Matters for Learning**
Connecting Rome to humanist values helps us:
* see history as a lens for understanding ethical questions;
* recognise the continuity of human concerns across time;
* reflect on how societies shape and are shaped by human choices;
* develop critical thinking about power, culture, and identity;
* understand that studying the past is ultimately about understanding people.
It turns the Roman Empire from a distant civilisation into a mirror for thinking about what kind of world we want to build today.
***Suggested prior reading:***
In preparation for the exhibition it is recommended to read about the events of Rome during this time period of 1st Century CE to the 3rd Century CE, and the philosopher Seneca.
[https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome/The-transformation-of-Rome-and-Italy-during-the-Middle-Republic](https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome/The-transformation-of-Rome-and-Italy-during-the-Middle-Republic)
[https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/seneca/](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/seneca/)
Intelligent Conversation Events Near You
Connect with your local Intelligent Conversation community
Contest Dress Rehearsal
Interested in seeing what The Alliance has been working on in 2026? Come be our practice audience as we prepare to sing at JAD/CAR Preliminary Contest! We will be debuting our brand new contest set, and you won't want to miss it! Our chapter quartets, Intermission Quartet and Coffee Talk will also be performing!
This is a free event!
Drunken
This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism")
Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war).
Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!
Conversation and Coffee @ Belle's Bread Bakery
Hey Everyone!
Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!
French conversation club
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 :)
Prompt vs. Paintbrush
AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s?
This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation?
We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee.
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)
Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)
Lessons To Help the Introvert to Extrovert!
Do you feel introverted when you are in a group setting? Are you shy?
Do other people have more fun than you do? There are simple life hacks you can use to improve your connection to others and improve your social life.
Talking is one thing. Truly connecting is altogether another. It's the whole experience of connecting with people and forming relationships.
It includes the joy, understanding, and love formed among people.
* In our meetings, you will learn:
* A simple life hack to increase your liking and tolerance of other people, or even of yourself!
* How to become more interested and enjoy conversations with people.
* How to be comfortable in social settings.
* How to be yourself
* How to become more extroverted and,
* How to make connections with people.
Feeling lonely, isolated, or bored? This local meeting is exactly what you need! Come join us!
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

























