Theory U

Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz) is a programmer assigned to “crunch entities” for the Mancom corporation. He suffers from persistent existential angst, wondering if there’s any meaning in life and the universe, and he’s convinced that a phone call will come to provide the answer. He requests permission to work from home so that he will have fewer distractions and won’t miss the impending phone call. His request is approved, but his new assignment is to solve the Zero Theorem, a cryptic mathematical formula that will prove that there’s no meaning to anything. This task and encounters with psychiatrist Dr. Shrink-Rom (Tilda Swinton) and Management (Matt Damon) only increase his angst. ■ Title — *The Zero Theorem* ■ Director — Terry Gilliam ■ Cast — Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, Matt Damon, Gwendoline Christie ■ Rating — R ■ ©2013 \| 1h 47m \| Comedy\, Drama\, Fantasy\, Mystery\, Sci\-Fi ■ Watch it free with ads on Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/653313/the-zero-theorem ■ Available free without ads to Amazon Prime members: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.3a431a06-174d-468c-a99b-6a513b3031d7 ■ As with most of our online features, you can watch this one whenever you like. Members who watch at the scheduled time may enjoy exchanging comments with other members on this page. If you post a comment before the show, please avoid spoilers. Comments posted after the show may contain any content, but Oddball Cinema encourages members to always avoid spoilers unless there’s some particularly important details you need to mention. ■ Many of the movies on our online events from as far back as March 2020 are still available for viewing. However, titles sometimes move from one streaming service to another. If you find that the links on an old event no longer work, you can search for the current providers of any title here: https://justwatch.com

Weekly Draft night in NW. We currently meet up at Franklin Hall near 14th and Florida. U Street Metro is the closest stop. I'll have packs but feel free to bring packs if you have them. Entry is $17 (you can bring Play Booster packs to lower the cost by $3.50). If it is a special set, it will be more.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Understanding the Sports Betting Industry,”** an exploration of how legalized gambling on sports is affecting March Madness and athletics as a whole, with Matt Winkler, founder of American University’s online master’s program in sports analytics and management, adjunct professor at AU’s Kogod School of Business, former sports executive, and scholar and teacher of sports management, business, analytics, and technology. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-sports-betting](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-sports-betting) .] Sports betting has undergone explosive growth in the United States in the wake of a 2018 Supreme Court decision lifting the federal ban on it. Its widespread legalization by the states, combined with increased integration of sports and technology, has given rise to an industry with billions in annual revenue. This growth is not only reshaping the landscape for major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA but is also profoundly impacting global events such as the NCAA Tournament and FIFA World Cup. As more fans engage with sports through betting platforms, the dynamics of fan engagement, sports marketing, and even match and game governance are changing. Serious questions are being raised about sports betting’s integrity, regulation, and economic impact. Gain insights into the rapidly evolving global sports betting industry and its profound impact on March Madness, other athletic contests, and professional and collegiate sports. Professor Matt Winkler’s extensive knowledge of the sports economy and betting practices, combined with his years of industry experience—with the NCAA, Major League Soccer, the NHL, WNBA, the Olympics, and the World Cup—make coming to hear him speak an experience sure to pay off. He’ll share insight into trends such as the rise of mobile betting and the emergence of prediction markets. He’ll discuss the significance of sports integrity in gaming markets, the ethical considerations surrounding sports betting, and the various safeguards and regulatory approaches used to protect consumers, reduce problem gambling, and ensure the integrity of sports. Among the areas we’ll explore: The economic impact of legalized sports betting and how it affects local economies, advertising, and media rights. Why major leagues and the NCAA are partnering with betting companies and what they stand to gain from it. How betting is influencing the governance and commercial strategies of major international competitions such the Olympics and FIFA’s World Cup. Using March Madness as a case study, Professor Winkler will discuss how sports betting has altered the tournament’s viewership patterns, bracket culture, and revenue. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

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 36,37,38,39.** 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.

Join us for trivia at Lost Dog Cafe in McLean, Virginia located at 1690 Anderson Rd every Tuesday evening. Trivia begins at 7pm, but please consider joining earlier, around 6:45, since seating’s first-come-first-served. The nearest metro is McLean. **Donation:** Neurodivergent District strives to compensate Neurodivergent District members that volunteer to host our events. Please consider a donation to @katewoodwardcm for hosting. Please specify "donation to trivia host" in the description of your payment. Questions? Text 202-925-0001.

Trail Mix: Worship on the Move on the W&OD Trail Tuesdays \| 6PM \| Meet at the Picnic Tables @ Vine \(2501 Gallows Rd\) Step out onto the W&OD Trail for a unique worship experience that blends scripture, prayer, movement, and creation. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace as we encounter God outdoors—and share trail mix together when we return. All are welcome. Come ready to move, breathe, pray, and be surprised by the Spirit. thevineva.org

July 2025 marked the centennial of *The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes,* the famous "[Monkey Trial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopes_trial)" that took place in Dayton, Tennessee. Last night, Arena Stage opened its production of *Inherit the Wind*, a fictionalization of the trial. The National Capital Area Skeptics has arranged for discounted tickets for the performance Tuesday evening, March 24 for members and guests of NCAS and Washington Area Secular Humanists (WASH). This will be the only evening performance followed by a hosted discussion. A limited number of tickets are available for NCAS/WASH members and their guests for $56 (regularly $73). Please sign up [here](https://forms.gle/EUvn8ukhxeDjHUrL7) if you are interested. We will contact you to arrange the purchase. The number of tickets is limited. You can also attend [the play on other nights](https://www.ticketsales.com/inherit-the-wind-tickets) at your convenience without discount tickets. More about *Inherit the Wind*: "We used the teaching of evolution as a parable, a metaphor for any kind of mind control," playwright Jerome Lawrence [said](https://time.com/7294045/theater-scopes-monkey-trial-100-years/) of the process he and Robert E. Lee used for creating *Inherit the Wind*. "It’s not about science versus religion. It's about the right to think." Lawrence and Lee also [wrote](https://archive.org/details/sim_theatre-arts_1957-08_41_8/page/33/mode/1up), "*Inherit the Wind* is not history...[it] does not pretend to be journalism. It is theatre. It is not 1925." View the Arena Stage [program](https://www.arenastage.org/globalassets/tickets/202526-season/05-inherit-the-wind/fy26_inherit-the-wind_programbook.pdf) and promotional [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u3O258TE28).

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Search for Life Beyond Earth,”** with Måns Holmberg, postdoctoral researcher at the Space Telescope Science Institute and part of a team of astronomers looking for chemical traces of life on distant exoplanets. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-ET](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-ET) .] Are we alone in the universe? While many of us have pondered that question, astronomer Måns Holmberg of Baltimore’s Space Telescope Science Institute is seriously focused on answering it. Last year he was part of a Cambridge-led team of astronomers who generated worldwide headlines by announcing that they had discovered potential evidence of a gas produced almost exclusively by life in the James Webb Space Telescope’s data from the atmosphere of a distant world. Dr. Holmberg will talk about how the search for life elsewhere is being conducted and what strides are being made on that front. He’ll describe what it would take to confirm signs of life on such a world, what challenges remain, and how the next wave of observations could ultimately tip the scales. Dr. Holmberg also will look at the role being played by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), how it uses infrared light to decode the chemical composition of strange atmospheres, and how it has left us closer than ever to answering the question of whether life exists elsewhere. He’ll discuss astronomers’ growing interest in a new class of exoplanets known as “Hycean worlds”—ocean-covered planets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres that could be surprisingly hospitable to life. We’ll visit K2-18 b, a distant world around twice the size of Earth that orbits in the habitable zone of a cool red-dwarf star 120 light-years away, and discuss why it has become one of the most interesting exoplanets in the search for life. Recent observations from JWST have revealed something extraordinary: the atmosphere of planet K2-18 b contains carbon-based molecules like methane and carbon dioxide and possibly even dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a gas that, on Earth, is almost exclusively produced by life. Dr. Holmberg will discuss what makes DMS a compelling (though not yet definitive) biosignature candidate. You’ll emerge from the talk with a much richer appreciation of the immense possibilities out there among the stars. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: An illustration showing what the exoplanet K2-18 b might look like. Source: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI) / Wikimedia Commons

At this event you'll discover how to better understand and control your subconscious mind, helping you overcome doubts and fears. If you have anger issues, depressions and anxieties. this event will show you how to overcome them.

Our story starts with a littering aviator. Luckily, he was just gracing us with his existence long enough to reveal the main catalyst of this story is a glass soda bottle. This bottle arrives like a divine prank from the heavens, bonking its way into a quiet, unsuspecting world where life was previously running on a perfectly reasonable “no flying trash” policy. It’s philosophy. It’s slapstick. It’s a reminder that humanity can be undone by something as simple as a soda bottle and a lack of instructions. Come for the comedy. Stay for the existential crisis. ■ Title — **The Gods Must Be Crazy** ■ Director — Jamie Uys ■ Cast — N!xau, Marius Weyers, Sandra Prinsloo ■ Rating — PG ■ ©1980 \| 1h 49m \| Comedy\, Satire\, /Desert Adventure

Greetings conscious black friends! I am Cody V, and I recently completed my 40 minute short film called Purple Velvet Planet. A lot of creatives here in the DMV worked hard on it, and we are excited to premier it Sunday March 29th at the historic AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring. The film is a blend of story, music, and self discovery. We've been getting tons of positive feedback so far. Tickets are available at purplevelvetplanet.eventbrite.com and they start at $7. Check out the trailer and the synopsis. I hope to see you there! **TRAILER** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qd69fWFfxU **SYNOPSIS** *In a world where music is regulated, performances are monitored by the government, and musicians need registrations to perform in public venues, Light is an “undocumented” rapper with few options for success. His socially conscious lyrics aren't doing him any favors, either. Speaking to many of the issues we are facing today, this film will appeal to music lovers, film aficionados, and everyone searching for ways to be more joyous in these troubling times. Purple Velvet Planet aspires to provide a path to personal peace amidst the chaos, through a masterful blend of music and story.*

The DC Environmental Film Festival is one of the best film festivals of the year here - maybe THE best. Many of the films are free - you can browse the schedule [here](https://dceff.eventive.org/). We always like a reception for the socializing so we'll see Yanuni on Closing Night. From Variety: "Few environmental documentaries begin with quite the urgency that “[Yanuni](https://variety.com/t/yanuni/)” does. Even fewer blend political thrills with meditative visual poetry, but Austrian director [Richard Ladkani](https://variety.com/t/richard-ladkani/) strikes this balance with an even hand in his intimate chronicle of Juma Xiapaia, a brave Indigenous activist in Brazil and the first woman elected chief in the Amazon’s Middle Xingu region. **It will sell out at some point. The cost for the film and reception is $25. (The director will also be there.) [Here's the link](https://dceff.eventive.org/schedule/6991e0a0afc3abbb6802f1b3) to purchase tickets**. **Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy and Closing Night Presentation** Followed by a filmmaker conversation and the DCEFF 2026 Closing Night Reception. Yanuni. **Winner, 2026 Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy** YANUNI is a cinematic portrait of Juma Xipaia, an Indigenous chief from the Brazilian Amazon who rises from a remote village to the frontlines of climate justice. After surviving six assassination attempts, she is appointed Brazil’s first Secretary of Indigenous Rights —while her husband, a federal IBAMA agent, leads dangerous operations against illegal gold miners. As Juma navigates political power, growing threats, and impending motherhood, she is forced to confront the personal cost of resistance. At once intimate and epic, YANUNI is a powerful story of Indigenous sovereignty, love, and the urgent fight to protect the planet we call home.

Join us as we get together for an Arthouse Movie Friday event to see the A24 dark comedy /romance / psychological-thriller, THE DRAMA! The film stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a happily engaged couple whose relationship is challenged when one discovers unsettling truths about the other. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a happily engaged couple whose relationship is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. The film comes from A24, is written/directed by Kristoffer Borgli stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates and Zoë Winters. QUICK WORD OF WARNING: The film hasn’t screened for critics yet and most of the details are being kept tightly under wraps. But, early buzz (possibly promotional) says the film is a brilliant psychological thriller/romance but also provocative, twisty and some contains occasional uncomfortable viewing! I love the cast and trailer, so look forward to seeing for ourselves! ZENDAYA-PATTINSON TRIFECTA CHALLENGE: Robert Pattinson and Zendaya will star in THREE movies together this year, including THE DRAMA, Christopher Nolan’s THE ODYSSEY this Summer and Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE: PART THREE at Christmas! TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk) PLAN: We’ll plan for 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but early arrival is advised. Possibly post-movie get-together at the nearby Rusty Bucket! Complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Take care and look forward to seeing you there, Dan

This 1967 film is widely regarded as one of the best American movies ever made. Now remembered almost as much for its Simon and Garfunkel music as its deadpan comedy and being the role that established Dustin Hoffman as the hottest actor in Hollywood. It became a cultural icon for capturing the spirit of 60s angst of a young man on the make, while garnering a batch of Oscar nominations. After watching the movie on your own, join us to relive (or experience!) those feelings at our discussion.

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

**Presenter:** All of Us **Time:** Pizza at 6:00, Presentation Starts at 6:30pm Eastern **Location:** Theoris, 9000 Keystone Crossing, Suite 230, Indianapolis Let's have a fishbowl discussion about AI. Has it replaced you yet? Have you replaced it? Somewhere in between? How is AI impacting your career as a software engineer? Looking forward to seeing you there! ### What is a Fishbowl Discussion? [A ](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=00b4b265baa395dc4ad7b262d4d6e3b7b7c31b2195941076e51d2eca252c2d02JmltdHM9MTc2MjgxOTIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=0e60c23d-2dbf-642d-0fd7-d4512c2b6597&psq=fishbowl+discussion&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvRmlzaGJvd2xfKGNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbik&ntb=1)**[fishbowl discussion](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=00b4b265baa395dc4ad7b262d4d6e3b7b7c31b2195941076e51d2eca252c2d02JmltdHM9MTc2MjgxOTIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=0e60c23d-2dbf-642d-0fd7-d4512c2b6597&psq=fishbowl+discussion&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvRmlzaGJvd2xfKGNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbik&ntb=1)**[ is a structured format for dialogue that typically involves two groups: an inner circle (the "fishbowl") and an outer circle. The inner circle consists of a small number of participants who actively discuss a topic, while those in the outer circle listen and observe. This format encourages participation from all members, as individuals from the outer circle can join the inner circle by taking an empty seat when they wish to contribute.](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=00b4b265baa395dc4ad7b262d4d6e3b7b7c31b2195941076e51d2eca252c2d02JmltdHM9MTc2MjgxOTIwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=0e60c23d-2dbf-642d-0fd7-d4512c2b6597&psq=fishbowl+discussion&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvRmlzaGJvd2xfKGNvbnZlcnNhdGlvbik&ntb=1)

Join us as we get together for a Discount Tuesday / Choose Your Movie event to see your choice of two great films! Option 1 is the dark comedy/drama based on a true story TOW! The film stars Rose Byrne as a homeless Seattle woman how battles a towing company. Option 2 is the off-the-rails, over-the-top, action-comedy-horror THEY WILL KILL YOU! The film stars Zazie Beetz as a woman who answers a help wanted ad to be a housekeeper in a mysterious New York City high-rise not knowing its mysterious past! Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event: TOW: This dark comedy/drama is based on a true story and follows a homeless Seattle woman who fights her way out of "tow-company hell" to reclaim the car that had held her life together after receiving a tow bill for $21,634. The film stars Rose Byrne, Ariana DeBose, Demi Lovato, Octavia Spencer, Dominic Sessa, Elsie Fisher and Simon Rex! The film premiered to solid reviews at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival where critics declared, “TOW is a winner!” It’s “a story of perseverance, heart, and real fight, the kind of small human story we see less frequently these days, but need now more than ever.” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdkpcsuPAhA THEY WILL KILL YOU: A woman takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building's history of disappearances. She soon realizes the community is shrouded in mystery. The film is directed by Kirill Sokolov and Zadie Beetz, Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette. The film is being released immediately following its premiere at this year’s SXSW Festival earlier this month. Early reviews say it’s “an adrenaline rush of action-packed fights, tons of blood and gore and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments” and a movie that’s “unafraid to march to its own campy, violent, and clever little drummer!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYqQPiXpi4w PLAN: Not exactly a “Choose Your Movie” event, more like an early show and a late one (or both if you’re feeling sparky)! \* If you’d like to see TOW, please purchase your ticket for the 5:00pm showing and meet in the upstairs lobby between 4:40 and 4:50pm! \* If you plan to see THEY WILL KILL YOU, please purchase your ticket for the 7:45pm showing and meet in the upstairs lobby between 7:25 and 7:35pm! \* Tickets for both films on sale now and advance purchase is advised! Tickets just $5.00 ($6.50 after online fees when purchased via the GFC website). Once you have yours, please list your movie of choice and seat number in the Comments section of this event. \* Also, as a reminder, close, convenient parking available in the nearby garage (Between 9th and 11th, just off High) and just $2 when you have your ticket validated at the theater! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

So this month's prompt is more general. I think we can all agree that we are living in "unique" times that require coping skills. I think that one role and/or purpose of philosophy is to help us deal with our daily lives and our "unique" times. So, let's share our feelings and thoughts about which philosopher/philosophy we turn to in order to deal with our crazy events. Who/what helps you stay focused in your daily life and helps you sleep at night. I find that Stoicism with a little philosophical pessimism mixed in goes a long way in helping me deal with what I see as very destructive, fearful and mean spirited public policies at both the state and federal levels. Hope to see you on March 28th!