Synthpop

This is a ticketed event. Please register at [this link](https://luma.com/vqaqs628). ​Unstoppable agents? Digital drugs? Robo-religions? ​Moltbook is an internet forum designed exclusively for artificial intelligence agents. Some see it as AI theatre, others as a warning shot for autonomous agents. ​In this talk on Moltbook and related phenomena, Giles Edkins looks at the hype, the reality, and what it might mean for the future. ​​​**Event Schedule** 6:00 to 6:30 - Food and introductions 6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation and Q&A 7:30 to 9:00 - Open Discussions ​​​​​​If you can't make it in person, feel free to join the live stream starting at 6:30 pm, via [this link](https://www.youtube.com/@Trajectory-Labs/live). ​​​This is part of our weekly [AI Safety Thursdays](https://luma.com/trajectory-labs) series. Join us in examining questions like: * ​​​How do we ensure AI systems are aligned with human interests? * ​​​How do we measure and mitigate potential risks from advanced AI systems? * ​​​What does safer AI development look like?

Most Java developers have tried AI-assisted coding through chat interfaces or inline autocomplete. Useful — but limited. In this talk, we’ll explore the next step: agentic Java development using Claude Code. Instead of treating AI as a smarter text box, we’ll look at what changes when the model can reason across files, plan multi-step changes, interact with tools, and operate closer to how real developers work. This will be a practical, experience-driven session focused on: • How agentic coding differs from ChatGPT-style prompting and traditional Copilot usage • Where Claude Code fits (and where it doesn’t) in real Java projects • How tools, context, and workflows matter more than “prompt tricks” • How to avoid unstructured vibe coding while still moving faster No prior experience with agentic tools is required. The goal isn’t to sell a silver bullet — it’s to help Java developers understand what’s genuinely new, what’s hype, and how these tools can be used responsibly in real-world codebases. **About the venue** Free Times Cafe has bistro-style seating and a full food and drink menu. Please consider helping to support the venue by planning to have supper during the talk. **Speaker Bio** Victor Szoltysek is a seasoned consultant and technologist, currently at RAVL, where he helps clients eliminate the inefficiencies of undifferentiated heavy lifting and focus on building solutions that drive real business value for their customers. With a career spanning notable organizations like Accenture, Pivotal, and ThoughtWorks, as well as numerous startups, Victor brings a wealth of experience in cloud transformations, DevOps enablement, and Agile software development. A dedicated Java enthusiast with a sharp eye for cutting-edge technologies, Victor’s work frequently intersects with AWS, where he strives to streamline workflows and help teams leverage the cloud without unnecessary complexity. Recently, he’s also ventured into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence, exploring ways to make programming more engaging, efficient, and rewarding. Victor is known for his humorous and sometimes controversial presentation style, ensuring lively discussions and thought-provoking takeaways. His disdain for overly complex tech solutions drives his mission to simplify the way we build and deploy software. Whether he’s sharing insights about Java, AWS, or AI, Victor’s talks are as energizing and satisfying as your favorite cup of coffee. Don’t miss his unique blend of wit, wisdom, and deep technical expertise at our meetup!

## Rehearsal Details: Thursday evenings 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, Earl Bales Community Centre 4169 Bathurst St., just south of Sheppard, in Toronto. Email our membership chair, if you are interested in attending a rehearsal. **Lisa Taylor: 647-886-1766, [membershipchair@torontoaccolades.com](mailto:membershipchair@torontoaccolades.com)** Do you love to sing? Do you love performing for live audiences? The Toronto Accolades Chorus brings women-centric singers together to sing and perform a cappella harmony. Harmony connects people from all backgrounds, ages, and musical abilities to create a community where you can not only sing, but find a space to connect with other strong and dedicated people just like you. For decades, we've provided a venue for singers to express themselves, make quality music together, and form bonds beyond measure, and we invite you to join us for the ride. We welcome guests and work with them to find out their voice range and to determine what part (lead, tenor, baritone or bass) they would sing best. Guests are given a music folder and encouraged to participate in singing with the chorus in subsequent weeks. Although we continually strive for musical excellence, prior musical training is not necessary to belong to our chorus. We provide everyone with sheet music, audio learning tracks, education and guidance. At the end of 6 weeks, we ask each prospective member to audition, to ensure that they can hold their part in a four-part harmony song.

This talk will explore what happens to public discourse when previously restrictive norms against blatant falsehood and overt racism start to erode. Are there still efforts to conceal? Do new mechanisms arise? What changes in audiences and communicative environments allow for these shifts, and how can one push back against them? Jennifer Saul https://uwaterloo.ca/philosophy/profiles/jennifer-saul Professor Department of Philosophy University of Waterloo **About the Speaker:** Jenny's primary interests are in Philosophy of Language, Pragmatics, Feminism, Philosophy of Race, and Philosophy of Psychology. In recent years, much of her work has been on deception and racism in political speech. Her book *[Dogwhistles and Figleaves: How Manipulative Language Spreads Racism and Falsehood](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/dogwhistles-and-figleaves-9780192871756?cc=ca&lang=en&) has recently been published by Oxford University Press*. It explores certain commonalties in the communicative mechanisms that have allowed politicians to get away with much more obvious falsehood and racism than previously thought possible. Jenny has also published *Lying, Misleading and What is Said: An Exploration in Philosophy of Language and in Ethics* (Oxford University Press 2012). It argued that considering the distinction between lying and misleading-- which seems to many an ethically significant one-- can help to shed new light on methodological disputes in philosophy of language over notions like what is said, semantic content, implicature, and the semantic/pragmatic distinction more generally. Jenny was Director of the Leverhulme-funded Implicit Bias and Philosophy Project. She has published[ two co-edited volumes](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/implicit-bias-and-philosophy-volumes-1-and-2-9780198766186?cc=ca&lang=en&) on implicit bias with Michael Brownstein, and she continues to lecture widely on this topic to a range of audiences. She is especially interested in helping institutions find methods to combat implicit biases, and she frequently advises on this topic. Her view is that [structural and institutional solutions are the most effective means of doing this](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/implicit-bias-training-often-flawed-shouldnt-be-scrapped), and she works with the institutions at which she speaks to improve their policies and procedures. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

Join us for an evening of French conversation at B Espresso Bar in the atrium of the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music (near St. George station)!
We welcome all levels of French, and it's free\*.
Venez pratiquer votre français! \*While there is no fee to attend this event, guests are expected to purchase something from B Espresso Bar, in accordance with RCM's restrictions on usage of the cafe atrium space. **Building location:** The Royal Conservatory is at 273 Bloor St W, between Varsity Stadium and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). There are entrances off Bloor St. and Philosopher's Walk. If you enter from Bloor St through the large glass doors, follow the hallway on the left beside the staircase and turn left at the end. (Closest TTC: St. George) **Notes and restrictions:** The host may or may not attend this event. Attendees are encouraged to seat themselves at two or more adjacent tables, as needed. Please form groups of 6 people at each table; do not rearrange chairs and tables to accommodate more people, as this obstructs the narrow walking space. Guests are expected to order something from the cafe, and are asked to please refrain from bringing outside food or drink. Attendees must leave the building at 8pm when the cafe stops serving. **Contributions:** If you are a regular with us and would like to support the group, please send any contributions by e-transfer to [diskutomeetup@gmail.com.](http://diskutomeetup@gmail.com.) The yearly donation goal and amounts received year-to-date will be tracked anonymously on [this google sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18GfqYsis8Cf2XGg4KsKQJsY_0Fv3bsSQHwJAxvC1Km8/edit?usp=sharing). Thank you so much for your support.

## 🧠🎉 Trivia Night @ The Frog: A Firkin Pub 🍻 **Think fast, laugh hard, and make new friends!** We’ll be meeting at **The Frog: A Firkin Pub**, conveniently located just steps from **Yonge–Sheppard Station** — cozy - great food and fun! ### 🕖 About the Event Trivia starts at **7:00 PM** and runs until around **9:30 P**M— just **ask for Colleen’s group** when you arrive! Expect a lively mix of **pop culture, history, music, sports, and random fun question.** Whether you come solo or bring a friend, we’ll make sure everyone’s part of a team. 🧩💬 ### 💸 Cost & Policy Everyone must spend at least **$10 (plus tax & tip)** at the pub. **NEW POLICY:** * 🆕 *First-timers* must send a **$5 deposit** by e-transfer to **tommills@rogers.com** and message Colleen right away on this page or the sign-up page. you'll be refunded in cashif/when you show up. * 💌 There will be a **$1 reminder charge** if you don’t send the deposit promptly, for each reminder. * 👥 You may bring **1 guest**, but please e-transfer **$10** in advance. You’ll be refunded once your guest arrives. ### 🧠 Why You’ll Love It Trivia night isn’t just about questions — it’s about **connection, laughter, and teamwork**. Come test your wits, cheer on your tablemates, and enjoy the buzz of a pub full of friendly faces. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, it’s always a great time! 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) ### ⚠️ Notes * Please don’t just “show up” without RSVPing — seating is limited, and teams need to be balanced. * Occasionally, the organizer may need to rearrange teams if one is *too stacked* (e.g., all the sports or music experts together!). * Sometimes things happen — events can be canceled or adjusted, so keep an eye out for updates. 📩 **Questions?** Contact **Colleen**, your organizer, by posting on the event page.

HAPPY FEBRUARY everyone ! Welcome to our new location : The Urban House Kitchen & Bar on Queen St East! If you're available, please join us on the SECOND FLOOR of Urban House Kitchen & Bar, for your favourite Film and TV Networking evenings. Rain, Shine or Blizzard, WE WILL BE THERE! AND THERE WILL BE PRESENTS :D Of course, if you feel sick, have a fever, a cough, or don't feel comfortable with attending such an event post COVID times, please, don't put yourself and others in a bad position, and wait for the next one, because there will always be a next one. :D Bring your smiles and business cards! See you there ! DISCLAIMER : The organizers are not responsible for the potential stupid behaviour of some people, and you and us know that there is always a possibility of these happening, so by RSVPing to this event, you assume all responsibility and won't be able to hold the organizers responsible if anything happens that is related to your decision of attending. ================ FREEZEBRUARY Toronto Film and TV Industry Social Evening Thursday, Feb26th 2026, 6PM The SECOND FLOOR at Urban House Kitchen & Bar 718 Queen St E. Toronto, ON M4M 1H2

Living On Video + DJ Lazarus presents **Sat Feb 28 - PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party w/ THE SMITHS Spotlight** ADVANCED TIX $10: https://PANICsmithsspotlight.eventbrite.ca PANIC is a brilliant evening of new wave, post-punk, classic alternatives, synth pioneers, britpop, shoegaze, madchester, new romantic, classic industrial, ska, and more. Join hundreds of your friends dancing to the coolest retro tunes at PANIC. Saturday February 28, 2026 PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party w/ THE SMITHS Spotlight Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West - Toronto @groundcontroltoronto Lounge 9pm - Mainroom 10pm 19+ event Adv. Tix ONLY $10: https://PANICsmithsspotlight.eventbrite.ca $15 at the door INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/906531455595436/ (please INVITE your friends) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- SOCIAL: www.instagram.com/groundcontroltoronto www.facebook.com/livingonvideoclub www.facebook.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitch.tv/livingonvideoclub www.mixcloud.com/livingonvideo www.instagram.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitter.com/djlazarusrocks

This group is for badminton enthusiasts who are passionate about exploring the connections between metabolism, energy, and exercise. We are welcome beginner plus, intermediate and advance level players looking to improve your skill or a seasoned player seeking to optimize your performance on the court, this group is for you! Join us for friendly games. This badminton session is a weekly event and it is followed with dinner together but it is optional. Since we have 3 courts and allowed the maximum of 24 players so that everyone signs up for this event will be placed on waiting list FIRST then will be moved to the joining list on WEDNESDAY MORNING. Court fee: It will be informed at the comment section by 4pm. Cost per person is either $162 (for 3 courts) divided by the number of players attended OR $108 (for 2 courts) divided by the number of players attended. My email address will be provided at that time for etransfer.

One night. Two legendary sounds. The Queen is Dead and Factory deliver the best of The Smiths and New Order at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Dress ’80s. Dance all night. https://www.showclix.com/tickets/QID26

Living On Video + DJ Lazarus presents **Sat Feb 28 - PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party w/ THE SMITHS Spotlight** ADVANCED TIX $10: https://PANICsmithsspotlight.eventbrite.ca PANIC is a brilliant evening of new wave, post-punk, classic alternatives, synth pioneers, britpop, shoegaze, madchester, new romantic, classic industrial, ska, and more. Join hundreds of your friends dancing to the coolest retro tunes at PANIC. Saturday February 28, 2026 PANIC: 80s/90s Video Dance Party w/ THE SMITHS Spotlight Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West - Toronto @groundcontroltoronto Lounge 9pm - Mainroom 10pm 19+ event Adv. Tix ONLY $10: https://PANICsmithsspotlight.eventbrite.ca $15 at the door INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/906531455595436/ (please INVITE your friends) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- SOCIAL: www.instagram.com/groundcontroltoronto www.facebook.com/livingonvideoclub www.facebook.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitch.tv/livingonvideoclub www.mixcloud.com/livingonvideo www.instagram.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitter.com/djlazarusrocks

**A cordial invite to the second segment of a miniseries of meetups on the resurging interest in the Perennial Mystery of Consciousness.** Last December we held the first of the series: **[The Holy Grail of Consciousness Embedded AI](https://www.meetup.com/ions-ontario/events/312293729/?eventOrigin=group_similar_events)**[ ](https://www.meetup.com/ions-ontario/events/312293729/?eventOrigin=group_similar_events)focusing on two opposing understandings of Consciousness. The prevailing concept among many scientists that bursts of electrical activity creates consciousness. And that it is conceivable, indeed possible, to harness this burst of electrical activity in silicon chips giving rise to consciousness in AI. This differs from the Perennial understandings reached by thinkers of the East who investigated states of Mind beyond dreamless deep sleep and made empirical observations of human and non-human entities over millennia. To them, Pure Consciousness as Ultimate Reality cannot be expressed by speech or understood by the Mind, for it is the illumination of Pure Consciousness which enables the speech to be expressed and the Mind to understand in the first place. In this and follow up sessions of the series we will be joined by Dr. Afsaneh Khorasani, **[Afsaneh Personal website-| Home](https://www.bing.com/search?q=Afsaneh+Khorasani&form=ANNTH1&refig=6986d3bc1bc5479f87ccec054ccb89ed&pc=PCMWSB&adppc=EDGEXST)**[,](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7cbb65b29886dd437938c7314526aebd9058fe4d4749dbdf2731d36796825912JmltdHM9MTc3MDMzNjAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=229627c8-30c9-6f1e-2861-3229310c6ef5&psq=Afsaneh+Khorasani&u=a1aHR0cDovL2Fmc2FuZWhtb3RhbWVkLmNvbS9lbi9pbmRleC5odG0) an eminent research scientist. Among **[other initiatives](https://www.easyglobaltraining.com/)** Dr. Afsaneh has been involved with the Princeton University linked **[Global Consciousness Project](https://noosphere.princeton.edu/)** led by Roger Nelson to which our **[Institute of Noetic Sciences](https://noetic.org/)** (IONS) has been providing logistical home base over the years. Dr. Afsaneh will lead us into a deep yet practical journey into the nature of reality, consciousness, and energy, bridging modern physics, ancient wisdom, and lived experience. Together, we will look at consciousness as the ground of all experience, energy as the language of the universe, and manifestation as alignment rather than effort. We’ll explore how thought, emotion, belief, frequency, and awareness shape our lives, our relationships, and our ability to create with clarity and presence. The session will be reflective, expansive, and grounded in real-life application, offering insights you can integrate into daily living. In the months ahead, we will invite other panelists to share their perspective in a conversational setting with emphasis on audience interactions. We look forward to sharing this space of inquiry, awareness, and connection with you.

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fun and relaxing holiday season. **We're back with our weekly Expressive Art Classes for 2026.** **Weekly Expressive Art Classes** Our weekly **Expressive Art Saturdays** weekly sessions are an invitation to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself through creativity and mindfulness. Each class weaves together meditation, connection, and expressive art, guiding you toward stillness, clarity, and calm. We will explore different expressive art activities designed to support ongoing self-discovery and emotional release. Some practices may return over time, allowing for deeper reflection and new insights with each experience. To sign up please complete the form: https://forms.gle/v6NWdEXNsfsKnKY66

Bring any piece of music in any form. We'll deconstruct it's musical elements and share with each other what the music evokes and what insights arise. Then, consider how this musical work fits into the broader world of music and sound. After a break well do a musical exercise together and end with a short slent meditation. Advance registration with pay pal $20. Please call Gary to confirm your registration. 647 292 5415 Generosity policy: limited spots available for no or low charge fir those who need it.

**Caller: Frank Buschelmann** **Band: The Rosenthorns** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. **New to electronics or curious about tinkering?** You’re absolutely welcome. If you’re a beginner and want to experiment, I’ll have a couple of starter kits available so you can try things out—whether that’s blinking your first LED, putting something on a display, or experimenting with simple sensors. No pressure and no experience required—just an interest in learning and building. While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Worthington Park Library in the Olentangy Meeting Room.

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

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

A classic Italian road comedy that was so good the film ministry recognized it as "culturally significant." Starring Vittorio Gassman and Jean-Louis Trintignant, the film shows that for young men in love the rules of the road are only suggestions. And the rules for love? Hey, this is an Italian picture! Oh to be young and filled with joie de vivre or la dolce vita. A french/italian fun filled movie with a surprising twist at the end. Do you have a fun memory from your youth?