The Economist

​Join the [Bitcoin District Initiative](https://bitcoindistrictinitiative.org/) (BDI) for a table tennis tournament fundraiser! Proceeds will support BDI's mission to spread Bitcoin education & adoption across the DMV, helping local nonprofits and communities build lasting financial independence. A portion of the funds raised will also be donated to the WDCTT Academy to create a long-term financial reserve (held in Bitcoin) to secure the future of its nonprofit community programs as the value of that reserve grows over time. 🎟️ [REGISTER ON LUMA](https://luma.com/w46mzm6b) ## ​**Event Details** ​Format: Round Robin play with a championship bracket. All skill levels welcome. Capacity: 36 players. Friends & family welcome to watch! Perks: Lunch included. ​Cost: $50 minimum donation. If you'd like to pay with Bitcoin, email trey@bitcoindistrictinitiative.org! 🎟️ [REGISTER ON LUMA](https://luma.com/w46mzm6b) ## ​**Why It Matters** ​Your support fuels BDI's efforts to bring Bitcoin education and adoption to the DMV, empowering local nonprofits and communities to achieve lasting financial independence. A portion of funds raised will also go to [WDCTT Academy](https://wdctt.com/non-profit/), whose nonprofit programs use table tennis to teach life skills, improve brain health, and strengthen community connections across generations. 🎟️ [REGISTER ON LUMA](https://luma.com/w46mzm6b)

**Neurodivergent Connections Bethesda: Board Game Meetup (Small Group Launch Event)** Join us for a relaxed and welcoming small group board game meetup. Whether you love board games or just want a comfortable way to meet people locally, you’re very welcome here. 🕐 Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (feel free to leave earlier, that's just when we have the room until.) 👥 Group size: 8 people Because our meeting space is cozy, this initial gathering is intentionally capped at a small group size. As the community grows, we plan to host additional events with larger attendance limits in the future. Since spots are limited, please RSVP only if you are fairly sure you can attend. If your plans change, updating your RSVP helps make space for someone else who would like to join. Thank you for helping to keep the group accessible and considerate for everyone. Looking forward to meeting you and starting something special together!

Greetings from the capital! Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people from all walks of life — students, diplomats, travelers, locals — gather to unwind and connect. [[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GNKKoBtgiU73RYeypZoN6y)] Our age range is mostly 20s to 30s. If you enjoy discussing culture, politics, travel, or just want to practice a new language, this group is for you. A perfect blend of diversity and dialogue, right in the heart of D.C.

**\*\* NOTE--We are meeting 1 hour earlier than usual because of room availability. We will start at noon instead of 1 pm. \*\*** **Life** Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu, was born in 1689 near Bordeaux, France to a noble and wealthy family. He trained as a lawyer at the University of Bordeaux. Through marriage and inheritance of a position in the Parlement of Bordeaux, he was financially secure before 30 and had time to read and write, in addition to his duties at Parlement. His first successful book was *Persian Letters*, an epistolary novel published anonymously in 1721 that satirizes French society from the point of view of two wealthy Persians. He then sought to turn his literary success into social success at court, salons, and the French Academy. In 1728, he took the grand tour; over the course of several years, he visited Vienna, Hungary, Venice, Florence, Rome, and England, where he became a fellow of the Royal Society. His next major work, published in 1734, was *Considerations on the Causes of Romans’ Greatness and Decline*. In 1748, he published his most famous work, one that he claims took him twenty years and that was to greatly influence the American Founders: the *Spirit of the Laws*. He died in 1755. **Themes** The influence of the *Spirit of the Laws* on the Founding generation that crafted the U.S. Constitution has secured for Montesquieu enduring relevance for those who want to understand the Founding Era and the Constitution. In this sprawling work, Montesquieu divides the types of government into republics, monarchies, and despotisms, each of which has its animating principle (virtue, honor, and fear). This contrasts with Aristotle’s categorization of polity, aristocracy, and monarchy, each of which has a corrupted form, democracy, oligarchy, and tyranny, respectively. Montesquieu argued that liberty can be best protected by the separation of the legislative, executive, and judicial powers, which finds expression in the three branches of the U.S. government. Among many other notable ideas in this work, he argued that laws should be crafted to accord with a people’s religion, climate, habits, wealth, and other social and economic factors. Against earlier natural law theorists, such as Grotius and Pufendorf, he argued that war did not justify slavery. In the prior century, Pascal had made a name for himself in taking on the Jesuits in his *Provincial Letters*. Several decades later in *Persian Letters*, Montesquieu used a similar rhetorical setup to satirize Parisan and French life, including religion, social practices, and the monarchy of Louis XIV from the perspective of two Persian travelers, Uzbek and Rica. The Letters show Montesquieu’s willingness to at least somewhat relativize European practices, if only to make points consistent with his own social and political class. In the *Considerations*, Montesquieu takes up a theme that would later make Edward Gibbon famous. One of his arguments in this work is that the maxims that made Rome an empire out of a republic were inadequate to keep the empire. He also argued that chance doesn’t rule events; there are underlying causes that can be discovered. **Reading** Our reading for this month is *[Montesquieu: Selected Political Writings](https://www.amazon.com/Montesquieu-Selected-Political-Writings-Classics/dp/0872200906/)*, about 242 pages. The book includes short selections from the *Letters* (the stories of the Troglodytes and Uzbek’s management of his seraglio) and *Considerations* and substantial selections from the *Spirit of the Laws* touching on principles of the three governments, political liberty, the relationship between laws and climate, slavery, and other topics. Please also read the introduction. **Optional** * [Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/montesquieu/) in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy * [Montesquieu](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Montesquieu), Britannica * [Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers](https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/montesquieu-and-the-separation-of-powers), the Online Library of Liberty

Think you aren't flexible enough for yoga? Afraid to get onto the floor? Living with physical aches or restricted range of motion? Then this is the perfect yoga class for you! Explore your body's strengths in a fun, supportive environment while maintaining and growing your range of motion, flexibility, balance, strength, and sense of peace. All are welcome in this therapeutic class. Come ready to try new things, laugh, ask questions, and support each other. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com.** The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 3,5,7,9**. The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St. Discount is available to seniors, teachers, students, emergency responders, and military. All can save by purchasing class packs.

Use Promo code SPRINGME to receive $5.00 off! Purchase tickets here: [https://www.prosinthecity.com/event/speed-dating-washington-dc-16079](https://www.prosinthecity.com/event/speed-dating-washington-dc-15387) Tonight, Professionals in the City is hosting an event for singles age 35 plus. Our Speed Dating Washington DC events are among our most popular singles events so don't miss out! During Speed Dating Washington DC you'll date for approximately one hour, meeting smart and intriguing members of the opposite sex as you spend a few minutes with each new acquaintance. Meet singles and know right away whom you mutually match with. After the speed dating, join us for a night of socializing and more interactions. You’ll also be able to spend time with someone you felt you clicked with during one of your speed dates. There will be a cash bar for this eventful evening, so come and meet other single professionals like yourself and have the time of your life! Then, after the event, use our exclusive online system from home to choose your matches from the people you met at the event. Without disclosing your email address, you'll be able to send messages through our system to anyone who attended. So come to Speed Dating Washington DC and meet that special someone you’ve been looking for. Check in is at 7:00 and the dating begins at 7:20. Please check in at 7:00 so you have a chance to mix and mingle before the dating begins. Numbers are limited at this event so sign up soon!

**Real connection with fellow Catholics who are eager to grow in Faith and friendship!** This 3 year--- 45min deep dive into the Catholic faith is a great way to spend your Sunday rest day. When you are ready to dig deeper and live the faith more fully this is an optimal opportunity. Talk yourself into this! You may start whenever and can come as often or as little as you desire. Coffee is served w/ small donation. It is taught by the priest and/or OCIA director at St Louis Parish who are ALL fabulous- faithful educators filled with theologically inspired knowledge. You can ask questions at the end, which I love. It is just a wonderful experience to grow. Afterwards if you wish, you can also find your way over to the Little Way Cafe Coffee shop across the parking lot to stay for more community time or read some of the excellent books that line the shelves throughout. If you are new to the community of Alexandria and want to meet like minded folks or a veteran of it, this is a special and unique opportunity and did I mention it is free? :) Hard to believe! Please join me every Sunday at 945 am.

Looking forward to seeing you! Please know that you don't have a reserved spot until you register at [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speed-dating-for-autistic-adults-tickets-1982622638683?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawP1rHJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe09Q_4uRXeVchWzuAfDhgFlwnANLaOOKGr1stjbTaw5QD9gQXLos5IOBPUQs_aem_XUyVMTIlkYCPy8pVfz533Q) and purchase your ticket. Limited tickets available. Join us for a supportive, structured Speed Dating event for autistic adults (ages 25 to 40) on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00pm in Bethesda, MD (address provided after registration). This facilitated event is designed for heterosexual pairings and offers a welcoming, low-pressure environment to meet potential partners. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is $35 on our website and free for our **[Constellations](https://www.harringtonmatchmaking.com/constellations-membership)** members.

Improv Night at the Happy Treehouse with The Ripple Effect Improv Troupe Let’s be honest. Life gives us plenty of serious moments. This night is not one of them. Join us from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM for a night of spontaneous comedy with The Ripple Effect, an improv troupe that travels around the DMV bringing laughter to places where people could use a little more joy. Hospitals, community events, gatherings like this one. Anywhere people need a good laugh, we show up and start a ripple. And once the laughter starts, it spreads fast. If you’ve never seen improv live before, you’re in for a treat. Nothing is scripted. No one knows what’s going to happen next, including us. The entire show is built in real time based on your suggestions from the audience. You might shout out a job. A location. A random object. And suddenly you’re watching a scene about a dog therapist with boundary issues or a married couple arguing about who forgot to charge the emotional support Roomba. That’s the magic of improv. Quick thinking, unexpected twists, and the kind of laughter that sneaks up on you. Why people love watching improv: *You laugh harder because you never see the joke coming. *You get to participate by shouting out ideas that shape the scene. *You watch performers build something hilarious out of thin air. And the whole audience ends up laughing together because everyone is experiencing something that has never happened before and will never happen again. You’ll definitely walk out feeling lighter than when you walked in. And along the way you might meet a few new people who also enjoy laughing. Because honestly… who doesn’t want funny friends? The vibe for the evening This is a relaxed BYOB potluck gathering under the pavilion. *Bring your favorite drink. *Bring a dish to share. *Bring a lawn chair if you have one. If you forget a chair, no problem. You can grab one of the chairs here, relax on the in-ground trampoline, or find a cozy spot around the pavilion. We’ll have the fire going, s’mores ready, and plenty of room to settle in and enjoy the show. Think backyard comedy club meets campfire hangout. Great people. Great laughs. A little silliness. And a ripple of joy spreading through the crowd. Come join us, Janine, your happy host Cell: 202-271-0922

Title: Potential Applications of Negative Radiation Pressure in Astronomy, Medicine and 2WQC Date: April 19 2026 10:00 am - Noon EDT (16:00 - 18:00 CET) Abstract: While we are used to heating and pushing with light, there is also optical cooling and pulling. I will talk about negative radiation pressure, potential ways to generate it, and its novel applications, like non-ionizing medical scanners, 2WQC (two-way quantum computers) in theory solving NP problems, also potential astronomical sources and their observation. Speaker: Dr Jarek Duda is an assistant professor at Jagiellonian University. He holds degrees in computer science (PhD), mathematics (MSc) and physics (PhD). He is mainly focused on physics foundations, information theory, statistical analysis, and is known for introduction of asymmetric numeral systems.

Title: Foundations of Localized Symmetry Mathematics Date: April 18 2026 Noon - 14:00 EST Summary: The moment you use Euclid’s definitions of points and distances in any of your mathematical axioms, all that follows is assured to produce some level of nonsensical results when applied to the foundations of physics. The reason is not complicated: Euclid’s definitions are deeply mired in accepting as a “given” the very concepts that emerge only in well-defined inertial frames, which in turn are local instances of symmetries that are always finite and context dependent. In this talk, Terry will discuss how reframing mathematics in terms of symmetries that, as in the real world, are finite, composite, and dependent on self-observation (acceleration), results in a richer and far stranger set of mathematics in absolute conservation of quantum numbers generate local and global symmetries — the opposite of Noether’s theorem — that in turn create the emergent classical phenomenal such a particles, fields, space, and time. Speaker: Terry Bollinger is a computer scientist with BS, MS, and professional degrees from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

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)

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. We meet in the bar in the room on the right (the cigar shop). You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant. *** Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ).

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant. Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ). This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us.

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!