Social Impact

**Why the Question Matters for Alignment, Moral Progress, and Long Term Flourishing** Practically nobody in alignment wants to say it out loud. So let’s say it: *AI might turn out to be* ***[more moral than us](https://www.scifuture.org/more-moral-than-us/)***. Now – why does that feel like a dangerous thing to claim? The question is not whether AI can match human moral reasoning. The question is whether that’s even worth bragging about. The idea of AI being more moral than humans is a real taboo in some circles. Many alignment researchers are uncomfortable with the idea because it seems to smuggle in the assumption that AI could have genuine moral agency, which conflicts with deflationary views of LLMs as “stochastic parrots” – and also because it sounds uncomfortably close to AI-worship or motivated reasoning for deferring to AI. Invoking this idea could get one dismissed as naive or as an actual safety risk oneself. *It’s also epistemically risky.* *More moral* – but in what sense? Knowing more facts relevant to ethics? Drawing better inferences from values? Applying principles wisely in context? Actually being *moved* by moral considerations, rather than just computing them? These aren’t the same thing. Conflating them produces both overclaiming and underclaiming – and most of the bad arguments on both sides of this debate do exactly that.[1](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#6ebcc18c-d890-4a28-8b01-27945a532c66) An AI could plausibly exceed humans on moral knowledge, reasoning and even judgement without having anything like moral motivation. Collapsing these leads to both overclaiming and underclaiming. Clear distinctions between stuff like moral judgement and moral motivation makes the conversation tractable. Is it dangerous for public discourse? There’s a genuine risk that the framing gets weaponised – either by people wanting to justify AI authority over human decisions, or by critics who use it to paint alignment researchers as unhinged techno-utopians. It can also trigger motivated reasoning in both directions. A lot more could be said here. But the taboo is not protecting us from a dangerous question. It’s protecting us from the answer. The taboo itself is epistemically costly, yet if we ***refuse to ask*** whether AI could have better-grounded moral reasoning than humans, we prevent getting to the heart of the issue. ## **The questions worth asking** Before thoroughly assessing whether AI could be more moral than humans, we need to ask whether the question is even coherent. ### Alignment targeting and verification *What should AI align to?* Is morality a cohesive alignment target, or a family of overlapping intuitions that only look unified from a distance? And if there is a *fact of the matter* about moral improvement, *how would we know we were tracking it* – rather than simply laundering our current preferences with extra steps? More pressingly: what would it mean to *verify* that an agent has better moral judgement than us, given that we’re the ones doing the evaluating? This is the bootstrapping problem. We cannot step outside our own moral reasoning to assess a system that exceeds it. That isn’t a reason to stop asking – it’s a reason to ask more carefully.[2](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#114785ab-004c-4882-b8c8-c0437942e9ec) ### The motivational gap Even if the epistemic questions could be resolved, a deeper problem remains: most human moral failure isn’t a failure of *reasoning*. It’s a failure of *motivation*. If humans are themselves imperfectly morally motivated, what does alignment to human preferences actually track? Not moral truth – at best, some weighted average of moral intuitions, distorted by power, attention, and self-interest. How much of human moral failure is motivational rather than epistemic? More than we tend to admit. We frequently know what the right thing is and fail to do it anyway – which means a system that merely reasons better about ethics hasn’t addressed the failure mode that actually matters most. And this raises the hardest question in the cluster: is moral motivation necessarily tied to phenomenal experience – to there being something it is *like* to care? Or could a system be genuinely motivated by moral considerations without felt engagement? Can motivation be grounded without being felt? ### The systemic stakes Finally, there are second-order questions that rarely get asked – about what happens to *us* if AI gets this right. Does sustained deference to AI moral judgement atrophy human moral reasoning capacity? And if so, what are the systemic risks of that atrophy – not just for individuals, but for the collective processes through which moral knowledge has historically developed? (There is recent work on comparative moral Turing Tests that begins to take this seriously[3](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#6efcb4e9-295e-425c-8860-40f415ef4935)) Moral progress for humans has never been a purely individual achievement. It has happened through argument, conflict, revision, and hard-won consensus across generations. A system that resolves moral questions faster than humans can engage with them might not accelerate that process. It might short-circuit it entirely. I think asking these questions Socratically can help nudge the conversation into the open productively rather than letting it fester as an unexamined assumption. Also I think this line of questioning isn’t just intuition pump fodder, I think they are directly important to the project of AI alignment.[4](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#13e5d2e0-79f6-42fc-8d1e-fcae403c2f6b) > Refusing to ask whether AI could exceed human moral reasoning doesn’t make the question safe. It just means we’ll answer it by accident, badly, and too late. Handled carelessly, this question causes damage. Left unasked, it causes more. ## Footnotes 1. The claim is easy to make sloppily. “More moral” conflates several things that need to be separated: a) Moral knowledge (knowing more facts relevant to ethics) b) Moral reasoning (drawing better inferences from values) c) Moral judgement (applying principles wisely in context) d) Moral motivation (actually being moved by moral considerations – which is one of my core focus points of activism) [↩︎](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#6ebcc18c-d890-4a28-8b01-27945a532c66-link) 2\. This was brought up in an interview with Nick Bostrom [↩︎](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#114785ab-004c-4882-b8c8-c0437942e9ec-link) 3\. See Eyal Aharoni’s and Danica Dillion’s work on Moral Turing Tests – presentations and interviews [here](https://www.scifuture.org/eyal-aharoni-breaking-the-moral-turing-test-studies-of-human-attribution-and-deference-to-ai-moral-judgment-and-decision-making/), [here](https://www.scifuture.org/ai-outscored-humans-in-a-blinded-moral-turing-test-should-we-be-worried-dr-eyal-aharoni-explains/) and [here](https://www.scifuture.org/danica-dillion-ais-moral-compass-better-than-expected-now-what/). [↩︎](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/#6efcb4e9-295e-425c-8860-40f415ef4935-link) 4\. The grounded values approach actually requires asking questions like: – What should AI align to?, Is morality a cohesive alignment target?, is there a fact of the matter about moral improvement, or is “more moral” just “more aligned with our current intuitions”? – What would it mean to verify that an agent has better moral judgement than us, given that we’re the ones doing the evaluating? (see work one recently on comparative moral Turing Tests) – If humans are themselves imperfectly morally motivated, what does alignment to human preferences actually track? – How much of human moral failure is motivational versus epistemic? – Is moral motivation necessarily tied to phenomenal experience, or could a system be genuinely motivated by moral considerations without anything it’s like to be it? – Can motivation be grounded without being felt? – Does sustained deference to AI moral judgement atrophy human moral reasoning capacity, and what are the systemic risks of that atrophy – both for individuals and for the collective processes through which moral knowledge has historically developed? Also see: **[Why Are We Afraid to Ask Whether AI Could Be More Moral Than Humans?](https://www.scifuture.org/why-are-we-afraid-to-ask-whether-ai-could-be-more-moral-than-humans/)**

**Why are some people unwell in all so many ways more often than others?** **Why are some accident-prone? Why are people struggling?** Why are people suppressed and how can this be lifted? And is there a reason others live their lives on an emotional seesaw, doing well one day and badly the next? What is behind failed businesses and broken families? What is the cause behind your own unexplained failures and misfortunes and unhappiness. When someone suddenly starts making mistakes or doing or thinking about stupid things, it is caused by something. Or when one feels happy and well and, for no apparent reason, suddenly starts feeling down. Someone or something made this happen. There is an explanation, and it has nothing to do with the gods, fate or the position of the stars. In fact the actual reason behind these phenomena - and their resolution - will be detailed at our meetup. L. Ron Hubbard was able to see through the complexities of human behavior and discover the underlying factors which explain the phenomenon of suppression in people - for it is suppression by others that causes these seemingly haphazard events. Suppression definition: The actions or activities of squashing, sitting on, making smaller, refusing to let reach, making uncertain about reaching, rendering or lessening in any way possible to the harm of the individual; a harmful intention or action against which one cannot fight back. You will learn the basic understanding on how to recognis people who wish you ill and those who should be your friends . You will learn about the mechanics behind destructive yet commonplace situations and ways to counteract it. It is data that could actually change your life tangibly and instantly, just as it has changed the lives of others. You will also learn why some people you know do poorly in life and how you can help them regain their well-being. Change your life for the better. Attend this meetup Know Yourself, Know Life! This free class is open to all people of goodwill. Our meetup free classes contain universal knowledge that is applicable to all of us and can be used by anyone of any faith as well as by those with no faith. It consist of practical tools that can be used straight away. They contain practical TOOLS for better living and will assist you in achieving your goals! If today's date or time is not suited to you than let us know.

**Welcome to our Linguas Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **Thursday — Asian Beer Café** **Level 3, Melbourne Central** **211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000** We will be in the are called the Chairmans Lounge. It is roped off. We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3.5**. *** ### 💬 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. *** ### *** ### ⏰ 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**

Join us at our monthly networking drinks in May at our new venue, **Village Belle, St Kilda.** *(Please note a ticket is now required to attend this event, these can be purchased via this link [here](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/social-drinks-for-creative-professionals-tickets-1989803804744?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true)). You can read more on this below.* Welcoming all professional visionaries, creators and artists in the Melbourne entrepreneur and creative scene. You may be a musician, writer, photographer, designer, model, dancer, comedian or perhaps you run a business in the creative field or anything in between. The Creative Hustle is a social events group aimed at providing a hub for the professional artists, creatives and entrepreneurs of the Melbourne creative and arts scenes! **(Please only attend if you fall in to these categories! There are plenty of other social meetups for people who do not have a creative hustle.)** You know those conversations that just light you up? Make you remember why you started this journey and inspire you? This is where you’ll find them. This group is more than just networking, it’s about meeting people who are on a similar journey to you where you can share your experiences to support each other, make genuine friends and perhaps find some people to collaborate with too! Creativity can be bombarded by digital interactions, and require us to spend hours alone to work on our craft, often leading many people to mental health issues and feelings of isolation and loneliness. The Creative Hustle believes in the power of genuine friendships and human connection. As creatives, we know that some of our greatest inspirations and collaborations stem from the bonds we form with one another. This group is equally about social networking as it is business. It’s time to stretch outside the comfort zone to forge new pathways in your profession all while building lasting friendships that enrich our lives in ways that only real connections can. **NOTE ON TICKETS:** I have always run Creative Hustle events for the last 3 years+ for free, and my mission has always been to keep them accessible for creatives. However I sacrifice time away from clients on Thursday nights, meaning that whilst keeping it accessible for others I haven't been able to keep it viable for myself. Moving forward, to keep it viable, cover costs of running the event, book better venues, help manage numbers and continue to attract people who are serious about what they do, I will be introducing a small fee. For this event your $20 ticket gets you a drink on entry (most house beer, wines and spirits are about $14-$15 at Village Belle) and the rest will be split across the above. Thank you for your understanding! This format is very loose! Sometimes we follow, sometimes we let the conversation flow - it largely depends on sound levels at the venue: 15 min - General networking & social chat 30 min - 45 min - Round table intros: space for each person to share their creative endeavour for 1 min 15 min - Conversation & discussion cues (let’s chat on some deep topics with a stranger ) 15 min - general networking & social chat I’m excited to meet you all! I know that coming to a meetup and meeting new people can feel scary for some people but we are a very welcoming and open group and can’t wait to meet new people. Most people that come to our events don’t know anyone! Life is better with great people in it! Shoot me a message if you have any questions or just want a point of contact before your first meetup **Definition of a Creative Hustle:** Something that you are pursuing either as a side business, full time business or professional/semi professional that involves you creating something from nothing. If you are a: Musician, Dancer, Fashion Designer, Photographer, Videographer, Graphic Designer, Actor, Interior Designer, freelancer, business owner, work for a company within the arts industry, or anything else I have missed that qualifies as creative, then this Meetup is for you. Please respect that this is a group for people who put their heart and souls in to their work, and not just a group anyone can come to for networking unless you fall into the above categories. Please message if unsure. Look forward to meeting you at our next event! \*\*\* **CODE OF CONDUCT:** 1. You have a creative hustle which means you are pursuing something which requires you to create, and you are pursuing this professionally as your full time business, side business, you work in a creative industry or because you love it. 2. All members will show respect to other members and patrons in the meetup/event/venue. Respect can be shown by not boxing people out of conversations, welcoming all new and old members, not continuously interrupting people, not continuously speaking over the top of others, respecting someone’s personal space and boundaries. 3. You must consider others in conversation and ensure it is two-sided, you may equally talk about your creative hustle as much as you are willing to ask somebody about theirs. 4. We encourage each other on our journeys and ask someone if they are open to advice before giving it. No one likes being told what they should do! 5. This is not a group or event to be used for dating. Contacts can be made on the basis of friendship or networking. 6. If anyone is made to feel uncomfortable for any of the above reasons, they should contact me directly. 7. People will not attend who are unwell, even if it is just a cold. People in this group rely on their health to show up to self-employed work, please do not put that at risk by showing up unwell. 8. Anyone who is understood to be breaching any of the above rules may be removed or banned from the group within reason. Some people may be given a warning, or if more serious, no warning will be given and people will be instantly removed. Thank you all for your understanding and I look forward to seeing you at the next event.

**木曜日・ジャパンナイト 🇯🇵（Hikari Social Melbourne）** 日本文化や日本語に興味のある方のための、カジュアルで楽しい交流イベントです。 新しい友達を作ったり、リラックスしながら会話を楽しみましょう。 お一人での参加も大歓迎です。スタッフがサポートしますので、初めての方でも安心してご参加いただけます。 📍 **Asian Beer Cafe, Melbourne Central** 🕕 **17:45〜22:00** *** ## 🇬🇧 English (for reference / below it) **Thursday Japan Night 🇯🇵 (Hikari Social Melbourne)** A casual and fun social event for anyone interested in Japanese culture and language. Meet new people, make friends, and enjoy relaxed conversations in a friendly environment. Most people come alone, and our hosts will help introduce you so you feel comfortable right away. 📍 **Asian Beer Cafe, Melbourne Central** 🕕 **5:45PM – 10:00PM**

Hi Gophers! We're at Atlassian this June to talk carbon footprint calculations for Claude and building a custom Kubernetes PaaS in Go. * **Agenda** **5.45pm — Food & Networking** **6:30pm — Intro** **6:45pm — Talks** **8.00pm — Wrap up then head out for kick ons** * **Talks** **🎤 Mia de Búrca** **What I Learnt Writing a Carbon Awareness Skill for Claude** (short talk) Having recently left my senior IC job in tech, I wanted to take some time to pursue green software principles, in **particular** how they apply to our use of AI. Since I'm an engineer, and engineers learn by doing; I decided to build an MCP server using sustainable software practices, and have it serve up a skill that would let an LLM ask what **its** carbon footprint had been for the conversation so far. The talk describes what I built and why, and how the implementation **and** infrastructure were a breeze **compared** to finding some real numbers to back up the carbon equivalence calculation. **🎤 Ryan Djurovich** **How I built Podplane - an Open Source PaaS running Kubernetes on Object Storage** About Podplane: Want to deploy your app easily and securely on AWS, Google Cloud, or Proxmox? Podplane is an Open Source Platform-as-a-Service built on Kubernetes with all state stored in Object Storage. It consists of a CLI, etcd alternative ([netsy.dev](http://netsy.dev)), auth server ([easy-oidc.dev](http://easy-oidc.dev)), and next-gen auto-scaler ([nstance.dev](http://nstance.dev)) - all written in Go. \* **Interested in speaking at an upcoming event?** We will aim to have a mix of short (\~10min) and in-depth (20-30min) talks. If you’re keen to give a talk on a topic, share a project, or idea, please let us know [bit.ly/GolangMelbourneSpeakersForm](https://bit.ly/GolangMelbourneSpeakersForm)

Hey Bayside! ☀️ The Bayside Social is a brand new group for locals who are up for good vibes, new friendships, and getting out to enjoy everything this area has to offer. We've got Friday night drinks, Sunday arvo sessions, outdoor activities, and more on the way. Just a note — this isn't an actual event to attend, but if this sounds like your kind of thing, hit Join and keep an eye out for our upcoming events. We'd love to have you along. See you out there! 👋

🧵 **Beyond the Label: Layers (Fabrics Edition)** Understanding the stories, materials and certifications behind the products we use every day. As Melbourne settles into winter and we’re all reaching for a few extra layers, we’ll explore the fabrics that make up our wardrobes — and how they influence comfort, quality, and the choices we make when shopping. **Join Eco Impact Tribe** for a relaxed afternoon of coffee, conversation, and connection. We’ll compare different fabric samples, share simple insights, and open up a casual discussion in a welcoming, informal setting. No lectures, no guilt, and no fashion expertise required. Just curious minds, good coffee, and great conversation. 📍Meeting Point: **Three Bags Full, 60 Nicholson St, Abbotsford VIC 3067** ☕ Plan for the afternoon * **1:15 PM** — Arrival, coffee & casual introductions * **1:45 PM** — We gently dive into the conversation and fabric exploration * **2:45 PM** — Wrap up and finish (café close / table release) To support the venue, please buy a coffee and/or snack during the event. \* By joining this event, you participate voluntarily and are responsible for your own wellbeing. A few photos may be taken for community sharing. If you’d prefer not to be included, just let the host know at the start. **Whether you’re interested in sustainability, conscious living, or simply learning something new, you’re warmly welcome.**

Your ability to work and live with others is crucial to your survival. To survive well one needs ability. Today meetup topic: Creating and Improving Ability And if you think you already have all the ability one needs to survive well then it is important for you to learn how to KEEP IT FROM GOING AWAY. Attend our Free Meetup! Definition for Ability: One's power to observe, to make decisions and to act. A man is as free, as well-off, as he is able. A family is as happy as it has ability. A business is as well-off as it has able people in it. A country is as well-off as it has able workers, foremen and executives. At today's meetup learn what constitutes ability and more importantly how to develop and improve it so that it does not go away. Fact's are that one's ability is never the same. It either goes up or it will go down. Your natural as well as learned abilities are constantly subject to many of life's pressures. One can therefore simply not rest on one's laurels regarding your current abilities and simply assume they will always be available for use. The time to protect and enhance ability is when you are still able. Any loss of ability will result in less confidence followed by problems resulting in unhappiness. This is called the dwindling spiral. Not just for you, it will impact all others you associate with as well. Today's topic applies to all aspects of life but will focus on how your abilities or lack of abilities or a sudden or gradual lowering of ability relates to work and family life. On your arrival you will be asked to complete a Oxford Personality Test. From this you will learn what ability it is that needs attention and improving. Whilst at our meetup you will also learn about some of the different technologies are that you find here which actively create, protect or enhance ability in key areas of life. The world cries out for better people (More Able People) that will lead happier life's with better better jobs, stronger families as well as community and businesses groups. Get The Know-How for life, attend our meetup or ask me for a time that is better suited to your schedule.

**—— Details ——** We will meet at the starting point, take round trip around the Tan and a short stroll inside the botanical garden. BYO coffee/ water bottle. Dress for outdoor walk. Come along & simply say, "Hi, it's my first time joining the group event." or ask the organiser to introduce you. You can take it slow and start from there. If you enjoy the conversations, take the initative to invite others to hang out over a bite/ drink after. **\-\-\- Running Late \-\-\-** If you are running late, please message at least 30 mins in advance. We will wait up to 15 mins before heading off. We won't be able to keep track of messages once we start. **\-\-\- RSVP / Change of Plan \-\-\-** Change of plan or decide not to attend is absolutely okay. Please do update your RSVP to "NO", so others can have the opportunity to attend. **\-\-\- Intro \-\-\-** Kudos 2 Friends is a Melbourne based community created for individuals who are looking to expand their social circle and form long term friendship overtime. Join us on a fun journey as we explore cafes, restaurants and bars, including drinks, meals, outings, hiking, sporting, chilling, etc. Above all, we’d like to celebrate the importance of friendships. So if you are looking to expand your social circle and explore new adventures and venues in Melbourne, come join us! **— Download “Heylo" App > Google Store & Apple App Store —** We use Heylo App for more fluid communication, including ideas, interest groups, questions etc. Please download the Heylo app from the App store and let the organizer know if you would like to be added to the Heylo Group at the event. We will send an invite to attendees to the group. (give us some time) **\-\-\- Instagram \-\-\-** Follow us on Instagram @kudos2friends **\-\-\- Rules \-\-\-** Admin will only add members to the group with a clear profile picture. (No hidden behind sunglasses, masks, drawings) **You might be removed from the group in the case of…** * no show * without a clear profile picture * anti-social behaviour (i.e. acts rude / disrespectful regularly) * take advantage of individuals for personal gain(s) **\-\-\- Privacy \-\-\-** Do not disclose your contact number in this post comment. We will delete your comment/info as soon as we see it to protect your privacy.

**Welcome to Badminton Social (羽球匯友) Meetup!** Join us for regular badminton, social meetups, and a great time on the court around Caulfield. Let's build a welcoming badminton community and make some amazing memories together! Whether you are a beginner or a pro, this event is perfect for anyone looking to stay active, make new friends, and enjoy some friendly plays. Our group is made up of both local and international members, creating a diverse and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to join in. Not only will you have the chance to improve your Badminton skills and stay fit, but you'll also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for healthy living and staying active. Come and be a part of our community in Melbourne, where friendships are made on and off the court. **Details as below:** When: 13 June, this Saturday Time: 5pm - 6.30pm Where: Monash Sport Caulfield (1-min walk from Caulfield Station / free parking around the Station) Fee: $12 per head (PayID to the organizer) *#Limited spots - first come first served (RSVP)* *#Please bring your own racket(s); or you can rent it from the Centre (if needed)* ***#Please kindly update your RSVP as soon as possible if you need to cancel, so hopefully others can still get a spot to join. Cancellations within 24 hours or no-shows will be charged the full rate - Many thanks for your understanding and cooperation.*** *#Please let the organizer know after the first play, if you'd like to play regularly with the group ongoing and enjoy exclusive offer - Organizer will add you to our Whatsapp group for the regulars :)* *DISCLAIMER:* *By* *attending any event hosted by this Meetup group, you acknowledge and accept that participation involves inherent risks, including injury or loss of property, and you assume full responsibility for your safety. The organizers are not liable for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur, regardless of cause. You agree to follow any event guidelines, act responsibly, and understand that you are responsible for your own well-being. By attending, you accept these terms.*

Disconnect to reconnect at our “No Phones, Just Conversations” meetup. This is a space to put distractions aside and be fully present with the people around you. With phones away, conversations become more genuine, engaging, and meaningful. Whether you’re chatting one-on-one or in small groups, this is about slowing down, listening, and building real human connection — the way it used to be. **Event photography and videography may take place at this event. Images and footage captured may be used in future BeSocial promotional materials.** **If you do not wish to appear in promotional materials, please notify Nexaro Group Pty Ltd before the event by emailing support@besocialapp.co, or let the event hosts know on the day.**

Happy Hour on the Green ⛳ Join Black Love & Friends for a laid-back evening at Topgolf as we celebrate the fathers, father figures, brothers, uncles, mentors, friends, and positive male role models who enrich our lives and communities. This isn't a golf tournament—it's a social gathering designed to bring great people together for conversation, connection, laughter, food, drinks, and a little friendly competition. Whether you're a father, celebrating a father, bringing your brother, cousin, friend, or simply looking for a fun Saturday evening, you're welcome to join us. No golf experience is necessary. Come for the happy hour, stay for the company. Expect: • Topgolf games for all skill levels • Food and drinks available for purchase • Networking and socializing • Great music and positive vibes • A welcoming atmosphere for singles, couples, and friends Bring someone special or come solo and meet new people. Let's raise a glass to the men who lead, support, inspire, and show up for the people they love.

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

Hey everyone! I am so excited to invite you to our next community gathering at **Two Dollar Radio Headquarters**. If you haven't heard yet, their new **Summer Menu** has officially dropped, and it is absolute "debauchery in food form". We’re heading to Parsons Ave to celebrate independent culture, play some games, and dive into some of the most creative plant-based comfort food in Columbus. Whether you're looking for a night of meaningful connection or just great vegan eats, this is the place to be. **When:** Saturday\, June 13th \| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM **Where:** 1124 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 *** **The Main Event** * **Play:** Bring a favorite game from home to share or dive into the ones available at the shop. * **Connect:** Meet new and old friends in a space that values independent culture and plant-based living. * **Support:** Help us champion a local, family-owned vegan business that doubles as a powerhouse indie book publisher. [[1](https://www.facebook.com/columbusveganevents/photos/join-columbus-vegan-meetup-for-a-game-night-at-two-dollar-radio-hqwhen-saturday-/824512820641009/)] *** **What’s on the Summer Menu?** While 2$R typically serves house-made sandwiches and vegan pastries, they are creating a special menu specifically for our event!. You can also grab a coffee, tea, or a drink from their full bar of cocktails and beer. [[1](https://www.facebook.com/columbusveganevents/photos/join-columbus-vegan-meetup-for-a-game-night-at-two-dollar-radio-hqwhen-saturday-/824512820641009/)] **New Summer Highlights Include:** * **Birria “Beef” Tacos**: A absolute must-try! Featuring birria soy “beef,” housemade chimichurri slaw, cashew crema, pickled onion, and roasted corn relish on corn tortillas. * **Buffalo Eggplant Pita**: Breaded eggplant tossed in smoky dojo hot sauce, topped with avocado, tomato, pickled onion, and cashew crema. * **Falafel Pitas & Bowls**: Housemade falafel served with chimichurri slaw, cashew crema, smashed cucumbers, and fresh greens. [[1](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNfx9yjg9F/), [2](https://twodollarradiohq.com/weekly-food)] *** **Parking & Logistics** * **Street Parking:** Free public street parking is available on both sides of Parsons Avenue and surrounding residential streets. * **Lot Parking:** The Columbus Metropolitan Library lot (1113 Parsons Ave) is directly across the street. On Saturdays, it is typically available for guest use starting at 6:00 PM (after the library closes). * **Bike Parking:** For those cycling, there is a bike rack conveniently located at the corner of Cline and Parsons. [[1](https://www.facebook.com/columbusveganevents/photos/join-columbus-vegan-meetup-for-a-game-night-at-two-dollar-radio-hqwhen-saturday-/824512820641009/)] I’ve been vegan for five years now, and places like this make the journey so vibrant and easy. I can’t wait to catch up, play some games, and share an incredible meal with all of you. See you there! 🌯📖 ***

🎳 **Summer Fun Starts on the Lanes! 20% off for NEW bowlers!** The 6-week summer social bowling league is here - cold drinks, fun times, and new friends await on the lanes! Whether you're looking to meet new people, unwind after work, or just have a fun weekly outing, this league is for everyone. Social vibes, happy hour energy, and plenty of chances to connect with others. No matter your skill level, this league is all about having fun and meeting awesome people. ;) **🗓 Thursday nights \|📍 AMF Sawmill Lanes \| 💵 $74 *(while Early Bird is active)*** **🚨New to the league?** Use discount code (**MUSU26**) for 20% off - $59.20 *during **Early Bird*** **💻 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, 30s, & 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 Gutter Dusters 👉 **Click here to join** https://tinyurl.com/2d5y52vq Or start a team of your own with a few friends - we’ll all be hanging out either way! 📅 League Dates (Thursday nights): June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30 ***(The MeetUp event date is deadline to register for the league.)*** **Cost & What’s Included:** ✔ $74 **Early Bird** registration - **New bowler? Get 20% off w/ code: MUSU26** ✔ 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 🤑New bowlers use code MUSU26 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!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you were quoted in *Truth in Comedy*, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**! The idea behind improvised comedy is to create entire scenes from scratch. A suggestion is taken from the audience and laughter is built on the spot. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway, Make Some Noise,* or *Wild 'n Out*; it can also be done in a longer way, to tell a complicated story, like *TJ & Dave*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and FREE!) weekly comedy event, brings the games for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Afterward, many members will hang out in *Gresso's* itself and get to know each other. Not only is this a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, your public speaking, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and build relationships that will last a lifetime, and you do that while laughing your butt off! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "*Yes, And*" that you'll have a blast!

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831