Social Impact of Technology

Welcome to Pachanga Nights – Melbourne’s Latin Party Spot! 🎉 If you love Latin music, good vibes, and meeting fun people — this is your group! Pachanga Bar is the heart of Melbourne’s Latin nightlife, bringing together locals and internationals every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for unforgettable nights of reggaeton, salsa, bachata, and Latin hits. Join us to dance, socialize, and enjoy delicious cocktails, mojitos, and Latin energy in the city center. Whether you come alone or with friends, you’ll always find a warm and friendly community waiting for you. 📍 Location: 95 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD 🎶 Music: Latin, Reggaeton, Salsa, Bachata & Global Beats 🍹 Drinks: Mojitos, Margaritas, Latin Cocktails & Signature Shots 🕺 Events: Weekly parties, themed nights & special celebrations Follow us on Instagram for updates: @pachangaau Come experience the true Latin vibe of Melbourne — every night is a Pachanga! 💃🔥

Hi Everyone, Let’s grab a coffee, go for a walk around The Tan and enjoy being in the presence, meeting new people, exploring this social event in a relaxed and open environment. The Tan walk, jog or run around is a 3.827km track around the Botanic Gardens. We could do 1 lap, or 2 laps or 3 laps, see how we feel being in the moment. There are cafes on Domain Road right across from the meeting point. Feel free to grab a coffee before the event starts. This event is child and pet friendly. IMPORTANT! *Mind The Walk of this meetup will NOT accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury / accidents for your personal belongings/property at social meetups. *Attending and participating at social meetups you are taking responsibility for your own, self-awareness, well-being and safety. Thank you Mind The Walk

**Details:** Beginner/Intermediate level social tennis session. Run by the Albert Park Tennis and Hockey Centre Cost: $22 per person (EFT payment) for 2 hours of tennis. Free for members. Please check into the hut prior to joining a court. This session is designed for all levels of players, for the opportunity to meet other players, improve their tennis skills, and have enjoy some friendly, competitive tennis matches. This is the perfect time to test your in-game skills without having to enter a proper competition. Tennis balls are provided. Please try and bring your own racquet if possible. **Rules:** * Team up with another player to form a doubles team. Doubles only games. * 2 teams (a group of 4 players), play a **best of 8 games**. * Each person serves twice * Deuce = one point only, ie. Sudden death point. * The receivers can choose which player on their team receives. * If the score is 4-4, both teams play a singular 'golden point' to determine the winner.. **Rotation:** * Winners remain on the same court. Losers move to the next court up * Court 1 onto Court 2 onto Court 3 etc..

Hi everyone, I’m launching a dating-focused social group for ABC singles aged 35–50 in Melbourne and am looking for a few co-organisers to help run events and build a positive, respectful community together. If you enjoy meeting people, sharing ideas, and helping organise social activities, I’d love to hear from you. We can start by co-hosting one event and see how it goes.

Hey men, To kick off our very first social meet lets meet for a social chit chat over a walk n tak with a coffee. see you then cheers Joe, social organiser

Please join us this Sunday as we explore the question of the Mental Health Industrial Complex. This session will be moderated by Glenn. We will meet at the **CAPTAIN MELVILLE**, 34 Franklin St in Melbourne CBD, at 2.00pm for 2.15pm start sharp. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background; all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared have your own assumptions challenged! Find below some questions to consider, however these are free-ranging events and the below serve merely as a springboard towards a deeper discussion in waters unknown... Some points and questions to consider before the event: * Are mental health illnesses best understood as diseases, disorders, patterns of behavior, or socially constructed categories? * What distinguishes mental health issues from ordinary psychological distress, grief, or unhappiness? * Is there a meaningful boundary between mental illness and personality, or are we medicalizing temperament? * Are current diagnostic categories discovering natural kinds, or carving up a messy continuum for human convenience? * What would a society that took mental health seriously actually look like—in work, education, and law—and what trade-offs would that require? * In what sense, if any, are people responsible for thoughts or actions that arise from mental illness? * What do we gain, and what do we lose, when we describe a problem in medical rather than moral, social, or political terms? * How confident should we be in claims about prevalence, treatment effectiveness, or rising rates of mental illness, given how these are measured? * What was Thomas Szasz's argument in 'The Myth of Mental Illness?'. * Are identity disorders, such as transgender, mental health issues? * What role does loss of meaning in the world have to do with mental health? Hope to see you there!

**Collaborate, Share, Talk, Hack, Make, Break, Fix, Enjoy, Learn, Re-use, Contribute** Visitors and newcomers are very welcome, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/newcomer-faq/ for more details. Short walk from Glenferrie train station. Car parking at Hawthorn Town Hall or St Columbs St. Please pay attention to parking signs as the inspectors are always on the job. Bring a laptop and/or project you are working on. There is also a number of group projects that you are welcome to join in. 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Electronics, Programming, Robotics, Prop Building, Costuming, Milling, Machining, Home Automation and more. The Connected Community Hackerspace (CCHS) is a community workshop, sometimes also known as a makerspace. We are run by members for members and are dedicated to providing facilities, tools and networking for members to achieve their projects. Our members work on personal and group projects. If you are interested in making/hacking join our Discord where like-minded people discuss their projects. See Discord link on our website. hackmelbourne.org Note - not all our members use meetup, so the RSVP's here dont reflect the total numbers.

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. **We ask everyone to Buy a drink at the venue** **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. Keywords: Morality, End of the World, Survival, Debate **Scenario: Judgement Day (ENCORE)** ☢️ The sirens have begun. A nuclear strike has been confirmed. The city will be vaporized in one hour. 🚨 Deep beneath the streets, there’s a single bunker — a relic of the Cold War — sealed, powered, and stocked for a handful of survivors. Only a few can enter before the blast. ⏳ The rest… will face the fire. 🧩 Who gets a place — and who is left behind? Do we save the strongest, the kindest, the most useful… or the most innocent? ⚖️ Every choice has a cost. Every argument, a consequence. 🕯 And along the way… there will be twists.

This is a general social network event Anyone wants to have a look around in the Fitzroy Gardens is welcome!

Please join us this Sunday as we explore the question of the Mental Health Industrial Complex. This session will be moderated by Glenn. We will meet at the **CAPTAIN MELVILLE**, 34 Franklin St in Melbourne CBD, at 2.00pm for 2.15pm start sharp. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background; all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared have your own assumptions challenged! Find below some questions to consider, however these are free-ranging events and the below serve merely as a springboard towards a deeper discussion in waters unknown... Some points and questions to consider before the event: * Are mental health illnesses best understood as diseases, disorders, patterns of behavior, or socially constructed categories? * What distinguishes mental health issues from ordinary psychological distress, grief, or unhappiness? * Is there a meaningful boundary between mental illness and personality, or are we medicalizing temperament? * Are current diagnostic categories discovering natural kinds, or carving up a messy continuum for human convenience? * What would a society that took mental health seriously actually look like—in work, education, and law—and what trade-offs would that require? * In what sense, if any, are people responsible for thoughts or actions that arise from mental illness? * What do we gain, and what do we lose, when we describe a problem in medical rather than moral, social, or political terms? * How confident should we be in claims about prevalence, treatment effectiveness, or rising rates of mental illness, given how these are measured? * What was Thomas Szasz's argument in 'The Myth of Mental Illness?'. * Are identity disorders, such as transgender, mental health issues? * What role does loss of meaning in the world have to do with mental health? Hope to see you there!

Do you walk away from small talk feeling drained, overstimulated, or bored out of your mind?… 😵‍💫💤 …but when you find someone you can go deep with, suddenly you can talk for hours and feel more energised than when you started? ⚡💬 Does this rarely happen, such that you'd love to be skilled so when the opportunity comes up again - you want to be ready to make it meaningful? Then welcome — this workshop is designed exactly for you. 🤝🌟 **Ideal for:** * Neurodivergent adults (Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD) who want real connection, not surface noise 🧠💛 * People frustrated by dating-app banter or repetitive first-date conversations that never go anywhere * Anyone who wants friendships or relationships with substance, emotion, and depth * Those wanting to learn attunement, presence, and powerful question skills that make conversations richer and more engaging 🔍👂💡 This session is for people who want conversations that feel alive, honest, and energising — not draining. ⚡🔋 **Why Powerful Questions Matter** Researchers like **David Clutterbuck** found that a “powerful question” can shift the direction of someone’s thinking — helping them reflect, feel, and reveal things that actually matter. The best questions are personal, resonant, emotionally impactful, non-judgmental, and clear. They go beyond information-gathering… and into insight. [Click here to What makes a Powerful Question.](https://clutterbuck-cmi.com/blogs/what-makes-a-powerful-question/#:~:text=Based%20on%20analysis%20of%20hundreds,the%20heart%20of%20the%20issue) When you ask these kinds of questions with empathy, curiosity, and presence, conversations naturally become deeper, more authentic, and far more energising than small talk ever could. ✅ **What You’ll Learn** * What makes a question “powerful” and why it changes the conversation * A starter toolkit of powerful questions for dates, friendships, and real-life social moments * How to listen in a way that makes people *feel safe* to open up * How to read emotional cues and attune to the other person * How to hold space without fixing, pushing, or interrupting * Real-time practice with rotating partners * Feedback and reflection to strengthen your skills * A chance to share your social challenges so future sessions can be tailored to you 🔄 **How the Session Flows** * Warm welcome + safety setup * What actually makes a question powerful (mini-teach) * Sample toolkit + why these questions work * Paired practice rounds (fun, safe, structured) * Group reflection: What surprised you? What opened something? * Optional deeper practice round * Quick feedback survey * Closing + practical next steps 💡 **Example Powerful Questions You Can Use** * **1.** *What shaped you into who you are today?* **2.** *What matters most to you right now?* * **3**. *What* is **most hard** about *(x challenge)*? **4.** *What does success look like for you?* **5.** *What are you wanting or needing that you rarely talk about?* **6.** *What moments make you feel most alive or seen?* **7.** *What drains your social energy?* * **8.** *(Followup) What restores it?* **9.** *What’s one thing you’d love to change about how you connect with people?* These questions help you move from shallow chat… to meaningful dialogue, and thus connection.

First attempt at this. If it's good, we'll do it again. If it sucks, we tried. (Event photo is from a recent trip to Flagstaff. Stock photos of fake people drinking coffee are the worst.) **Why I'm doing this:** You're the average of the people you spend the most time with. Running a business solo means I've been spending most of my time with myself. And AI tools, which are great for thinking through business problems, but terrible for actual human connection. I want to raise that average. Looking for people who want real conversations. Not networking, not pitches, just the kind of talk that makes you think differently about what you're building and why. If we all end up making a few friends along the way, even better. **What to expect:** Coffee. Conversation. No pitches, no elevator speeches, no going around the table introducing ourselves like it's a corporate icebreaker. Just show up and talk like a normal human. **Ground rules:** * No pitching your business * No recruiting * No MLM talk * No hustle porn **RSVP cap:** 6 people max so it doesn't turn into a crowd. **Location:** Transcend Coffee & Roastery in Grove City **Time:** Friday, January 16th at 11 AM. See you there!

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)

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

Come attend a free in-person seminar where you will find out why you: -Feel isolated -Can't express yourself openly -Get nervous or anxious in front of people -Run out of things to say or feel tongue-tied -Feel introverted -Don't feel comfortable in any social setting -Can't make more friends -Are shy and miss opportunities to connect in a meaningful way And we cover what you can do about any one, some or all of the above. This seminar is the weapon against loneliness, isolation and boredom, come join us! COME TO THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN THE SECRETS TODAY This seminar is brought to you by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Bill Darling, Director of Assistive Technology Ohio (AT Ohio), will address the purpose and function of AT Ohio. Of particular interest to our group is likely their Device Lending Library. As taken from their website, AT Ohio's mission is to help Ohioans with disabilities learn about or acquire assistive technology. Assistive Technology refers to devices, equipment or services that assist individuals with disabilities to function independently in the areas of work, home or school. AT Ohio is NOT a grants-giving or funding organization. They do not assist in financing the purchase of any assistive technology. If you need funding for a device, they might be able to direct you to resources that may provide funding, but they do not fund devices. Target audience for this group is persons who are visually impaired, especially those who have experienced recent loss, however, all are welcome, including family members and supports. Light refreshments will be served. You can also join the meeting by Conference Call at (518) 263-8851.

❄️ **Spare Yourself a Boring Winter - Bowl With Us!** Avoid social hibernation this winter, join our **6-week social bowling league** starting in January! Whether you're looking to unwind after work, meet new people, or just have a fun night out with pals, this league is perfect for everyone! Chill times, cold drinks, and plenty of chances to connect with others. No matter your skill level, this league is all about having fun and meeting new friends. **;)** **🗓 Thursday evenings \|📍 AMF Sawmill Lanes \| 💵 $74 w/ code MUCOW26** **💻 League Info & Registration**: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling **Why Join?** 🎉 It’s only 6 weeks - perfect for a low-commitment social plan 🍻 Great mix of people in their 20s-40s, plus post-game hangs at the bar 🎳 Zero pressure - gutter balls totally welcome! 👕 Free league shirt if you sign up early 🧠 Weekly trivia w/ prizes 💬 Super social - join solo or w/ friends! **Want in?** Join our Meetup team Gutterfingers 👉 **Click here to join** https://tinyurl.com/2b6s2c9j Or start a team of your own with a few friends - we’ll all be hanging out either way! 📅 League Dates (Thursday evenings): Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26 ***(The MeetUp event date is deadline to register for the league.)*** **Cost & What’s Included:** ✔ $74 with discount code MUCOW26 ✔ 6 weeks of bowling (1–3 games/week) ✔ Shoe rentals & full league setup ✔ Trivia, prizes, and great people 👉 **SIGN UP NOW** 💻League Info & Registration: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling 🤑Use promo code MUCOW26 to save $20 📸 Follow the fun on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BowlingLeague-IG 📩 Questions? Contact the league: http://bit.ly/2nKHno7 Spots are filling fast – don’t miss out on the fun times!

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!