University

Philosophy in the Park is a philosophical discussion group. Open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary. We will meet in the Barbican Centre on Level Minus 1. Outside The Hall. Here's how it works: * At the start of each hour vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like. The questions with the most votes are the questions we discuss. * We then break up into groups and each group does a different question. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and up end talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer you're welcome to sit back and enjoy the conversation. After an hour we all come back together, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So in 3 hours we go around 3 times. The aim is to have fun, meet new people, generate interesting and thought-provoking conversations, have your horizons expanded, challenge your preconceptions and who knows - you might even learn something? In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive for everyone as possible please follow these simple guidelines: 1. Keep it Philosophical (No Science, no History, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, personal anecdotes etc). 2. Think for Yourself (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read). 3. Tangents are Cool (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question). 4. Keep it Succinct (Like this). 5. Be Excellent to Each Other (But of course). Philosophy is about conceptual analysis. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the real world. It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas. To terms of the right attitude: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding. No homework or prior knowledge or reading is necessary - simply come and enjoy the discussions. After the event finishes we have an area reserved in The Shakespeare pub which is just around the corner from the Barbican. You are very welcome to join us if you'd like. If you would like to submit a question please join the Whatsapp group. Question submissions take place on the Thursday before the meeting. We hope to see you there. Nice one. ... To join the Philosophy in the Park WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK) (in order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name and we will join you to the main chat). If the link doesn't work then please send me a message with your phone number and I can add you directly. Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective)

Join us for a relaxed and friendly meetup in the heart of Central London, where good coffee meets great conversation. Whether you're new to the city or a London local, this is a chance to connect with like-minded people in a welcoming atmosphere. Expect laid-back chats, interesting perspectives, and maybe even a few new friendships. There’s no agenda—just an open space to talk about anything from travel and culture to work, hobbies, or life in London. 📍 Location: Le Parisien, 113 Clerkenwell Road, EC1R 5BY 🕒 Time: 2pm - 4pm Come as you are, grab a drink and let’s talk.

In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called The Psychology of Stupidity by Jean-Francois Marmion. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: Stupidity is all around us, from the colleagues who won’t stop hitting ‘reply all’ to the former school friends posting conspiracy theories on Facebook. But in order to battle idiocy, we must first understand it. In The Psychology of Stupidity, some of the world’s leading psychologists and thinkers – including a Nobel Prize winner – will show you . . . · Why smart people sometimes believe in utter nonsense · How our lazy brains cause us to make the wrong decisions · Why trying to debate with fools is a trap · How media manipulation and Internet overstimulation makes us dumber · Why the stupidest people don’t think they’re stupid As long as there have been humans there has been human stupidity, but with wit and wisdom these great thinkers can help us understand this persistent human affliction. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m: Book Discussion 8:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home.

Join us for a day filled with laughter and great conversations with friends at The REAL Over 40s meetup group. Unwind with a drink in hand as we enjoy a pit-stop before the next week ahead. This social gathering is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share stories, and create lasting memories. We meet at table 45. See you there 👍 P.S There are always atleast 15 to 20 people show up regardless of rsvp numbers.

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious - those drawn to the mysteries of the universe, life and everything in between. A tasty caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee. Hosted by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and insights from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** to boost natural **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSD etc and if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do **NDEs** result from neurochemical changes in the brain close to death or something beyond physicality? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 11. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the Penderel's Oak. *283–288 High Holborn, Holborn WC1V 7HP* zone 1 central london so very easy to get to. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

**Venue change: Please note that we are meeting at Royal Festival Hall this time! Please use event comments if you're lost.** Flags on lamp-posts, crosses on roundabouts, small boats, red hats, great replacement theory! It seems like we are surrounded more and more everyday by people who are overtly concerned with the integrity of their nation state. No doubt you, dear reader, have your own definition as to what nationalism is and who espouses it most on the modern political stage. But what actually is nationalism? What are its core characteristics? It is easy to see nationalism in the political workings of 1930s Germany, or even the modern day USA, but what if we were to extend the concept beyond allegiance to simple nations, and included allegiance to other organizations, identities, or even ideas? This is the question George Orwell poses in his 1945 essay Notes on Nationalism (linked in the reading section). Within this essay, he argues that similar patterns of thought, feeling and action exist in the nationalist bases of Germany and Japan as exists within movements for Zionism, Communism, or Political Catholicism. I would extend that further in our modern arena both to far-right movements like MAGA, and the modern progressive separatist movements. Orwell goes to extend the concept of nationalism in the following way: *“A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige. He may be a positive or a negative nationalist – that is, he may use his mental energy either in boosting or in denigrating – but at any rate his thoughts always turn on victories, defeats, triumphs and humiliations.”* **A few starter questions** for 10: 1. How would you define nationalism? How does this fit into an expanded definition? 2. Does the rise of identity‑based or separatist movements today reflect a shift in how people define “nation”? 3. Does Orwell’s definition risk being too broad? **Readings:** [George Orwell - Notes on Nationalism](https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/notes-on-nationalism/); [Wayne Price - National Self-Determination, Internationalism, and Libertarian Socialism](https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/wayne-price-national-self-determination-internationalism-and-libertarian-socialism); The Identity Trap - Yascha Mounk (2023, Penguin Press)

_Thousands have lived without love, not one without water._ - W.H. Auden Join us on **Sunday 11th January** at ***[Thirst: In Search Of Freshwater](https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater)***, a **FREE** exhibition at the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road. *Thirst* explores humanity’s ancient, urgent and intimate relationship with freshwater. With only 3% of the world’s water being freshwater, this exhibition dives into how our bodies, communities and ecosystems depend on this precious resource, and what happens when we mismanage it. Travelling from ancient Mesopotamia to Victorian London, and from Nepal to Singapore, Thirst brings together 125 fascinating objects, including historical artefacts, contemporary materials, environmental data, and artworks. Expect: 💧 Exquisite medieval water-filtering vessels carved with animals and inscribed with words of wisdom 💧 A Mesopotamian wedding blanket whose floral patterns reappear in a modern wastewater garden design 💧 Atmospheric photographs and films revealing communities’ relationships with water 💧 Striking large-scale models showing the impact of groundwater depletion in global megacities Immerse yourself in a sweeping story of culture, climate, health and survival, and our shared future. For a review of the exhibition, click **[HERE](https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2025/06/26/thirst-in-search-of-freshwater-at-the-wellcome-collection-exhibition-review/)**. **TICKETS** The Wellcome Collection and exhibition are both **FREE** to enter, no booking required. Easy! There’s a **[gift shop](https://wellcomecollection.org/visit-us/shop)** and **[café](https://wellcomecollection.org/visit-us/cafe)** in the building, and they also welcome donations of any amount. If you can no longer attend for any reason, that’s fine - simply update your RSVP to “Not Going”, thank you. **MEET DETAILS** **From 1:45PM: MEET AT [WELLCOME COLLECTION cafe](https://wellcomecollection.org/visit-us/cafe)** (optional) Join us for coffee and chat before we head to the museum! Address: Level 0 of the Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE **2:30PM: ENTER EXHIBITION** Feel free to go around the exhibition with other people from the group or by yourself. Address: 183 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE **4:30PM till late: PUB SOCIAL AT [MARQUIS CORNWALLIS](https://www.themarquiscornwalliswc1.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-homepage#/)** (optional) Feel free to join us for chat, drinks and food after the museum! Address: 31 Marchmont St, Greater, London WC1N 1AP **GETTING THERE** * **TUBE**: Euston Square (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines) is a 3 minute walk from the museum. Euston (Northern, Victoria & Lioness lines) is a 7 minute walk from the museum. Warren Street (Northern & Victoria lines) is a 7 minute walk from the museum. * **TRAIN**: Kings Cross is a 10 minute walk from the museum. St Pancras is a 10 minute walk from the museum. Euston is a 7 minute walk from the museum. * **BUSES**: 18, 30, 73, 205, 390 * **CYCLING**: There are bike stands near the main entrance at 183 Euston Road and on nearby Gordon Street. * **PARKING**: The nearest car park is George Mews Car Park, N Gower St, London NW1 2NN. The Wellcome Collection has limited parking available for Blue Badge holders. Please contact their visitor experience team to book: +44 (0)20 7611 2222. **[ACCESSIBILITY: click here for information.](https://wellcomecollection.org/visit-us/accessibility)** **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP**
If you are on the 'Going' list, please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be shared in the Event Comments below at least 48 hours before the event.
Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group. 
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
 \* LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. We have an attendee limit to help the host manage the event. We prefer a smaller, friendlier group. 
\* Once all the spaces are taken, Meetup adds you to the Waitlist. If someone drops out, waitlisted attendees are automatically moved to the 'Going' list by Meetup in order of priority.
 \* If you can no longer attend, please change your RSVP to 'Not Going' as soon as possible. Then someone on the waitlist can take your place. 
We **remove members** from the LoMAZ Meetup group who:
 \* RSVP as ‘Going' but then do not show up three times in a row.
 \* RSVP as ‘Going' but then change their RSVP to 'No' five times in a row.
 \* Are on the Waitlist or who have not RSVPd, but turn up anyway.
 Thank you! From the LoMAZ Admin Team 
📸 **[Follow LoMAZ on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/londonmuseumsatoz?igsh=MTl5N3doNmJ6OXN1cA==)** Photo credit: "Wellcome Collection - Euston Road, London - sign" by ell brown is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Arabic Through Literature and Current Affairs One Thousand and One Nights & Contemporary Arabic Discussion Lesson Duration 2 hours per session • Hour 1: Literary Arabic (Reading & Translation) • Hour 2: Modern Arabic (Conversation & Debate on Current Affairs) ⸻ HOUR 1 — Arabic Literature (60 minutes) Objectives • Develop reading fluency in classical/standard Arabic • Understand literary structures and stylistic devices • Produce accurate and elegant translations Structure 1️⃣ Context & Vocabulary (10 min) • Brief cultural or historical background • Key vocabulary (classical, rare, idiomatic) 2️⃣ Guided Reading (20 min) • Reading aloud by teacher and students • Grammatical and stylistic explanations • Focus on: • Verb patterns • Sentence rhythm • Narrative connectors 3️⃣ Analysis (15 min) • Themes and moral lessons • Character roles • Narrative techniques • Links to broader Arabic literary traditions 4️⃣ Translation Workshop (15 min) • Collective translation • Discuss: • Literal vs literary translation • Register and tone • Alternative renderings HOUR 2 — Current Affairs Conversation (60 minutes) Objectives • Build spoken fluency in Modern Standard Arabic • Learn contemporary political, social, and media vocabulary • Express opinions clearly and confidently Structure 1️⃣ Warm-up & Vocabulary (10 min) • Key terms from: • News headlines • Social media discourse • Political or cultural debates 2️⃣ Listening / Reading Input (10 min) • Short news clip or article (Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, etc.) • Identify main ideas and key arguments 3️⃣ Guided Discussion (30 min) Possible formats: • Open discussion • Structured debate • Role-play (journalist / analyst / public opinion) • Comparison with students’ countries Discussion skills: • Expressing agreement/disagreement • Clarifying opinions • Polite debate language 4️⃣ Reflection & Correction (10 min) • Correct common mistakes • Reformulate students’ answers in refined Arabic • Highlight strong expressions Homework (Light & Effective) Meeting at Pret A Manger 252 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7RB

## Deep Conversations Over Coffee A relaxed social meetup for people who enjoy real conversations. * No small talk loops. * No pressure to perform. * Just genuine connection. We’ll use light prompts to get conversations started, then let things flow naturally. Guided when needed. Organic when it matters. Expect: * Expressive, meaningful conversations * Laughter and shared moments * A calm, welcoming atmosphere You don’t need to be loud. You don’t need to impress anyone. Just show up curious. 📍 **BFI Southbank** Belvedere Road, Southbank Waterloo, London, SE1 8XT ☕ Grab a coffee on arrival

If you are interested in selecting investment choices for your 401(k) or other workplace savings plan, minimizing your income tax liability, or identifying the most effective investments for your brokerage account, we are the group for you. We are a local chapter of Bogleheads, whose investment strategy can be found here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy Or you can peruse the Boglehead forum here: https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php I look forward to seeing you there. Mark Vonder Haar

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

**NEW LOCATION: Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: * 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. * 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). For this first meeting of the year, we will be reviewing submissions for the Your Program is Hideous and Obfuscated Challenge (YPHOC). Submissions for this challenge are due by January 12th, 2026. The details can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13zbxwElpJqPMuAN4Ele2hUgsqtFKzH3OCTL5NEeiLKQ or on our website http://www.cohpy.org We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact centralohpython@gmail.com

**Start the new year with a Braver Angels gathering focused on speaking openly and listening deeply.** **In small, structured groups, each person will have five minutes to share a political or social issue that matters to them and why- no debate, no interruption, just genuine curiosity.** **Participants will practice curiosity, reflecting back values and emotions they hear, asking thoughtful questions, and- only with permission- offering their perspective.** **It’s a simple and powerful way to connect with one another and begin the year with a respectful and courageous conversation.** **Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026** **Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm** **Place: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Southeast Branch, 3980 Hamilton Rd, Groveport, Ohio** **All are welcome- bring a friend!** For additional information contact: Lee Evans at [LEvans@BraverAngels.org](mailto:LEvans@BraverAngels.org)

**Shake up your after work routine.** Join us for a guided cocktail class with our friends from Ilegal Mezcal and learn the story behind tequila and mezcal while creating three delicious cocktails from scratch. Your $15 ticket includes the class, all three cocktails, and a few party favors to take home. It is the perfect mix of learning, drinking, and socializing whether you are coming with coworkers, friends, or a date. Must be 21+ to attend.

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon