Big Data

## \*Please note - to be admitted to this event you must register for approval here: [https://luma.com/lcsqwmf3](https://luma.com/lcsqwmf3) This weekend hackathon brings together LangChain and SurrealDB to explore how agents can move beyond demos by grounding themselves in structured, persistent context. As agentic systems become more autonomous, their biggest failure mode isn’t model capability - it’s context. Agents struggle with accuracy, consistency, and reasoning when memory is shallow or unstructured. Knowledge graphs provide a powerful way to represent relationships, state, and history, enabling agents to reason over how things connect, not just what text is retrieved. Over the weekend, you’ll build practical agent projects using the LangChain ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on knowledge graphs and real-world retrieval workflows, using SurrealDB as a unified data layer for graph, document, vector, and temporal data. You’ll also have plenty of time to connect with both the LangChain and SurrealDB communities in London, collaborate with other builders, and get hands-on support from mentors. *** ## Schedule **Friday** * 18:00 - Doors open, check-in, pizza & drinks * Hackathon kickoff, team formation & briefing (time TBC) **Saturday** * All day - Build, iterate, mentor support (details TBC) **Sunday** * Final build, demos & judging (details TBC) * 15:30 - Closing, winners & wrap-up Full challenge details and rules will be shared ahead of the event. *** ## What you’ll work on * Agent workflows built with LangChain * Knowledge graph–driven context and memory * Hybrid retrieval patterns (vector + graph) * Persistent agent state and evolving context * Practical, production-oriented agent use cases *** ## Prizes * Swag and LangSmith credits from LangChain * Swag from SurrealDB *** ## Why attend? This is a hands-on opportunity to build credible agent projects in a single weekend, learn production-oriented patterns, and explore how structured context improves agent accuracy and reliability. You’ll collaborate with experienced builders, get direct support from the LangChain and SurrealDB teams, and connect with the wider London agent and AI engineering community. **FAQs** **Is the venue accessible?** Absolutely! There is a lift that takes you up to Level 4 where the event is held. **Is this event for me?** SurrealDB events are for software engineers, developers, architects, data scientists, data engineers, or any tech professionals keen to discover more about SurrealDB: a scalable multi-model database that allows users and developers to focus on building their applications with ease and speed. **Am I guaranteed a ticket at this event?** Our events are tech-focused and in the interest of keeping our events relevant and meaningful for those attending, tickets are issued at our discretion. We therefore reserve the right to refund ticket orders before the event and to request proof of identity and/or professional background upon entry. **Are there any House Rules?** At SurrealDB, we are committed to providing live and online events that are safe and enjoyable for all attending. Please review our [Code of Conduct](https://surrealdb.com/legal/code-of-conduct) and [Privacy Policy](https://surrealdb.com/legal/privacy) for more information. It is compulsory for all attendees to be registered with a first **and** last name in order to attend. Any attendees who do not adhere to these requirements will be refused a ticket.

**Please note that this event will take place IN PERSON on Friday, 6 March, 2026 in London at 6pm London time (1pm New York time).** **In collaboration with Imperial College [MathSoc](https://imperialmathsoc.com/)!** **Full title:** Heisenberg's Backtest **Speaker:** Rob Carver **Abstract:** What is a backtest for? In fact, like electrons, backtests have two contradictory natures. Firstly, they tell how well a particular trading strategy would have done in the past. Secondly, they help you design a strategy that will perform well in the future. These are not the same thing. In this talk Rob discusses this problem and how to reconcile these two objectives. **Venue:** Huxley Building, Imperial College London, 180 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ **Biography:** Robert Carver is an independent systematic futures trader and writer. He is a visiting lecturer at [Queen Mary, University of London](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sef/staff/carverrob.html), and is research advisor to [Stylus Capital](https://stylus.digital/), a hedge fund trading digital assets. He is the author of four books: “[Systematic Trading](http://www.systematictrading.org/)", "[Smart Portfolios](https://www.systematicmoney.org/smart)", "[Leveraged Trading](https://www.systematicmoney.org/leveraged-trading)" and "[Advanced Futures Trading Strategies](https://www.systematicmoney.org/advanced-futures)". [Until 2013](http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-en/151380/key-departures-at-man-groups-ahl-fund/) Robert worked for [AHL](http://www.ahl.com/), a large systematic hedge fund, and part of the [Man Group](http://www.man.com/). He was responsible for the creation of AHL's fundamental global macro strategy, and then managed the funds multi billion dollar fixed income portfolio. Prior to that Robert worked as a research manager for [CEPR](http://cepr.org/), an economics think tank, and traded exotic derivatives for [Barclays](http://www.barclays.com/) investment bank. He spent his early career in the Middle East. Robert has a Bachelors degree in Economics from the [University of Manchester](http://www.manchester.ac.uk/), and a Masters degree, also in Economics, from [Birkbeck College](http://www.bbk.ac.uk/), University of London. **Links**: Rob's blog: [https://qoppac.blogspot.com/](https://qoppac.blogspot.com/)

**DSTI AWS Cloud Club – Level Up Your Portfolio & Ship an ML Model on AWS** *(Paris Campus / Online)* Ready to move from theory to real cloud deployment? Join us for our **AWS Cloud Club** event at **DSTI Paris** and take your **portfolio** to the next level. In this hands-on **workshop**, you’ll set up your cloud development environment and deploy a simple web portfolio while discovering how real AWS services work together. 📅 **Friday 6th March** 🕒 **15:30 – 17:00 (CET)** 📍**DSTI Paris Campus & Online** 🔍 **What we’ll cover :** ⚙️ *Get Ready* Set up your development environment for cloud projects. 🌐 *Build Your Portfolio* Create and deploy a simple web portfolio using GitHub. ☁️ *Explore AWS Core Services* Hands-on demo with: * AWS Lambda * Amazon S3 * API Gateway You’ll see how these services connect to power a real serverless application. 🎁 **Bonus :** We’ll end the session with a short interactive **quiz**, with **prizes** to win ! 👀 🎯 **Why join?** * Strengthen your technical portfolio * Deploy a real project on AWS * Understand serverless architecture in practice * Gain hands-on experience beyond theory * Connect with other motivated DSTI students Whether you're into **DA**, **DS**, **DE**, or **CY**, this workshop will help you build something concrete and showcase-ready. Let’s build, deploy, and level up together.

**Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-connector-at-the-institute-of-directors-london-ai-tech-networking-tickets-1983249011180?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ai-connector-at-the-institute-of-directors-london-ai-tech-networking-tickets-1983249011180?aff=meetup)** Connect with AI, digital & tech leaders at AI Connector® at the Institute of Directors in London. Build relationships and explore innovation **London’s High-Quality Networking Event for AI, Digital & Tech Leaders 🚀** Join London’s leading networking event for AI, digital, fintech investors, and tech professionals. **AI Connector® at the IoD** brings together solution providers, entrepreneurs, company directors, and professionals eager to explore and implement cutting-edge AI, digital, and technology solutions to drive efficiency, innovation, and profitability 📈. This is a **thoughtfully designed, relationship-focused event** that prioritises meaningful conversations, collaboration, and long-term opportunity creation 🤝. ### **Why Join? 🌟** **Expand Your Network** 🤝 Connect with like-minded professionals, decision-makers, potential clients, and collaborators who share a passion for technology and innovation. **Explore Strategic Alliances** 🔗 Discover how AI, digital, and tech solutions can work together to create powerful synergies and stronger business outcomes. **Showcase & Discover Solutions** 💡 Whether you offer advanced tech solutions or are seeking innovative tools to scale your business, this event helps you meet the right people. ### **What You’ll Gain 🎯** **Strategic Connections** Build meaningful relationships with entrepreneurs, founders, investors, and company directors. **Valuable Insights** Stay informed about key trends and practical applications of AI, digital, and emerging technologies. **Collaboration Opportunities:** Identify partners to co-create, integrate, or implement solutions that can transform your organisation. ### **Event Details 🕒** **16:30 – Event Start** Fully hosted, free-format networking focused on quality conversations. 18.00 You will be able to remain in the venue at no extra cost when the [Director Connector](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982608749139?aff=oddtdtcreator "https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982608749139?aff=oddtdtcreator") begins. **WhatsApp Group** 📲 Continue the conversation before and after the event by joining our exclusive attendee WhatsApp group. On the day of the event, you will receive an email inviting you to join the WhatsApp message for the event. ### **Venue 📍** Hosted at the Institute of Directors, the UK’s leading professional body for directors, championing excellence in leadership, governance, and entrepreneurship. ### **Dress Code 👔** Business attire or smart casual. No T-shirts or trainers. ### **Refund Policy ℹ️** Advance tickets are discounted and **non-refundable**, but can be reassigned to another person of your choice if you are unable to attend. ### **Event Disclaimer 📸** Photos and videos may be taken during the event for use across our social media channels and promotional materials. * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events/) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events/) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london/) * [London Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking/) * [London Business Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking/) * [#networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networking/) * [#startup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23startup/) * [#investors](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23investors/) * [#ai](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23ai/) * [#entrepreneur](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23entrepreneur/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#director](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23director/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#business_growth](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_growth/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/)

**\*\*TO BOOK GO HERE [https://dateinadash.com/events/london/city-of-london/speed-dating/06Mar2026-7451](https://dateinadash.com/events/london/city-of-london/speed-dating/06Mar2026-7451)\*\*** Our Friday night Speed Dating event is an evening of fast, fun & flirty dates for ages 50-65 within the stylish surroundings of the Moniker in the City of London. Expect to meet around 20 people at this popular event in London. The crowd is always well dressed & ready to let their hair down after work. Speed Dating kicks off at 8pm prompt and any guests arriving late may not be able to take part so please ensure you arrive 15-30 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow for registration. On arrival at the venue one of our friendly hosts will be waiting to register you. When everyone has arrived the host will explain how the evening will unfold and you will be provided with a scorecard and pen. When the event begins women will be seated and men will rotate between tables every 4-5 minutes. At the end of each date guests mark on their scorecard or mobile phone whether they would like to see that person again. There will be a 15 minute break half way through to allow for refreshments. The event will finish at around 9:30pm but guests are welcome to stay afterwards. If you have used your mobile phone to enter your preferences then you will be able to view your matches instantly at the end of the event. Otherwise please take home your scorecard and upload your matches before 12pm on the following day. Please be aware that tickets for our events are very limited and the majority do get booked up in advance, so please book early to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries about this event please contact us or call our telephone bookings hotline on 0845 862 1448 (9am-5pm).

**Explore the Stunning Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge!** 🥾🌳 Join us for a sociable weekend of guided walks through the dramatic landscapes of the Mendip Hills, including the famous Cheddar Gorge. With two nights’ accommodation and all meals included, this is the perfect opportunity to discover limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and panoramic viewpoints, all while enjoying good company and a welcoming group atmosphere. 📍 **Location:** Cheddar, Mendip Hills 🔗 **Find out more and book here:** [www.largeoutdoors.com/cheddar-gorge-the-mendip-hills](http://www.largeoutdoors.com/cheddar-gorge-the-mendip-hills)

**Please note that this event will take place IN PERSON on Saturday, 7 March, 2026 and Sunday, 8 March, 2026 in London from 9am London time until 5pm London time on each of the two days.** **In collaboration with Imperial College MathSoc!** **Full title:** A Weekend with Robert Carver in London: Backtesting Properly **Speaker:** Robert Carver **Training Agenda:** This workshop will run through the process required to construct backtests that provide realistic historic returns and provide the best chance of creating a strategy that will be profitable in the future. It is not about fancy ML or AI techniques, nor is it designed to give you a magic formula for making infinite money from trading. Instead it will focus on understanding: \- statistical significance \- optimisation \- the importance of robustness and how to achieve it \- avoiding the three different types of overfitting **Pre-requisites for workshop:** \- Attendance at the talk: https://www\.meetup\.com/thalesians/events/312539371/ \- Ability to use python / pandas ecosystem to the level of [https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/python-for-finance/9781492024323/](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/python-for-finance/9781492024323/) \- A laptop with a full Anaconda stack **Venue:** Huxley Building, Imperial College London, 180 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ **Biography:** Robert Carver is an independent systematic futures trader and writer. He is a visiting lecturer at [Queen Mary, University of London](https://www.qmul.ac.uk/sef/staff/carverrob.html), and is research advisor to [Stylus Capital](https://stylus.digital/), a hedge fund trading digital assets. He is the author of four books: “[Systematic Trading](http://www.systematictrading.org/)", "[Smart Portfolios](https://www.systematicmoney.org/smart)", "[Leveraged Trading](https://www.systematicmoney.org/leveraged-trading)" and "[Advanced Futures Trading Strategies](https://www.systematicmoney.org/advanced-futures)". [Until 2013](http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-en/151380/key-departures-at-man-groups-ahl-fund/) Robert worked for [AHL](http://www.ahl.com/), a large systematic hedge fund, and part of the [Man Group](http://www.man.com/). He was responsible for the creation of AHL's fundamental global macro strategy, and then managed the funds multi billion dollar fixed income portfolio. Prior to that Robert worked as a research manager for [CEPR](http://cepr.org/), an economics think tank, and traded exotic derivatives for [Barclays](http://www.barclays.com/) investment bank. He spent his early career in the Middle East. Robert has a Bachelors degree in Economics from the [University of Manchester](http://www.manchester.ac.uk/), and a Masters degree, also in Economics, from [Birkbeck College](http://www.bbk.ac.uk/), University of London. **Links**: Rob's blog: [https://qoppac.blogspot.com/](https://qoppac.blogspot.com/)

Ready to think clearer, reason better, and express with clarity? Join us for a practical wholesome philosophy practice where we learn essential thinking skills through hands-on group practice. Leave academics and theory at the door— this is a skills-building adventure for everyday life! ✨ This event's focus: **Constructing Your Position** 🎯a part of the Wholesome Philosophy series — that help you build a complete thinking toolkit. **See below** **Why should you sign up?** ✅ Practical toolkit you can use immediately ✅ Small group practice ✅ Private, quiet venue for focus ✅ Standalone session - Previous parts help, but not required **What is Wholesome Philosophy?** Practical philosophy for everyday life - helping you build useful skills for thinking clearer and communicating better in work, relationships, and daily conversations. You'll learn through pair work, and group practice. spread across **different sessions:** * **Clear Thinking & Better Arguments** — How to reason * **Develop Thinking Habits** — Spotting biases and fallacies * **The Art of Dialogue** — Having productive disagreements * **Constructing Your Position** — Building solid viewpoints * **Decision-Making Frameworks** — Choosing wisely under uncertainty * **Self-Examination & Growth** — Questioning your own beliefs Each session works standalone — attend one, some, or all. ***Want to join all?*** Speak to the facilitator about discounted pricing for the full series ✅ **Who is it for?** * You want to think clearer and communicate better * You feel frustrated when your point doesn't land * You want to spot weak reasoning (including your own) * You enjoy learning through practice, not just theory * You crave thoughtful conversation with curious people * You want practical tools you can use tomorrow No philosophy background needed — just show up ready to practice. **What's in it for you?** * Make your points stick (without fighting) * Think more clearly about any topic even complex ones * Have disagreements that don't turn into arguments * Understand the world better * Connect with curious, thoughtful people ✨ * Gain confidence in your reasoning abilities **How does it work?** * Facilitated practice session (2 hours) with structured exercises ⏱ * Small group discussions (4-6 people) * Pair work for hands-on practice * Individual reflection moments * Whole group sharing (optional, not required) Everything is timed and guided — you'll know exactly what to do at each stage **What to expect** Collaborative discovery, without competitive learning. Practicing together, without performing for each other. What happens in the room stays in the room. * **Depth**: Beyond small talk, but it's not therapy — we're developing thinking skills * **Safety**: Wholesome Agreement principles apply — respect, curiosity, no judgment * **Practical**: You'll leave with tools, not just concepts — things you can actually use the next day ️ * **Participation**: These are practice sessions — your active participation creates the learning environment **Ready to upgrade your thinking skills?** Join us for a Wholesome Philosophy practice session and walk away with various thinking tools — it's for anyone who wants to navigate life with a sharper, kinder mind. We really hope to see you there! **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80)

Ready to build wholesome, deeper, more fulfilling relationships? Join us for a practical relationship skills where we learn essential connection skills through hands-on group practice. Leave theory at the door — this is a skills-building adventure for real life! ✨ This event's focus: **Being Heard & Understood** 🎯 a part of the Wholesome Relationships series — that help you build a complete relationship toolkit. **See below** **Why should you sign up?** ✅ Practical toolkit you can use immediately ✅ Small group practice ✅ Private, quiet venue for focus ✅ Standalone session - Previous parts help, but not required **What is Wholesome Relationships?** Practical relationship skills for everyday life — helping you connect deeper, communicate clearer, and show up more fully in love, friendship, and beyond. You'll learn through pair work, small groups, and real practice spread across **different sessions:** 1. **Attachment Theory to Skills** — Feeling safe in love 2. **Being Heard & Understood** — Listening and expressing needs 3. **The Art of Saying No** — Setting and holding boundaries 4. **Opening Up Safely** — Building trust and healthy vulnerability 5. **Fighting Better Together** — Conflict that connects (not destroys) 6. **Picking the Right Person** — Choosing partners wisely Each session works standalone — attend one, some, or all. ***Want to join all?*** Speak to the facilitator about discounted pricing for the full series ✅ **Who is it for?** * You want deeper, more meaningful relationships * You keep repeating patterns and want to understand why * You struggle to communicate what you actually need ️ * You find it hard to set boundaries without guilt * You want to learn through practice, not just reading about it No relationship experience required — just show up ready to practice. **What's in it for you?** * Understand your relationship patterns and where they come from * Communicate needs without blame or mind-reading expectations * Set boundaries that stick (without becoming a wall) * Navigate conflict without destroying connection * Show up as a whole person, not half of one ✨ * Connect with others doing the same growth work **How does it work?** * Facilitated practice session (2 hours) with structured exercises ⏱ * Small group discussions (4-6 people) * Pair work for hands-on practice * Individual reflection moments * Whole group sharing (optional, not required) Everything is timed and guided — you'll know exactly what to do at each stage **What to expect** Collaborative discovery, without competitive learning. Practicing together, without performing for each other. What happens in the room stays in the room. * **Depth**: Beyond small talk, but it's not therapy — we're developing relationship skills * **Safety**: Wholesome Agreement principles apply — respect, curiosity, no judgment * **Practical**: You'll leave with tools, not just concepts — things you can actually use the next day ️ * **Participation**: These are practice sessions — your active participation creates the learning environment **Ready to upgrade your thinking skills?** Join us for a Wholesome Relationships practice session and walk away with real tools for deeper connection — it's for anyone who wants to love better, communicate clearer, and show up more fully. We really hope to see you there! **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80)

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,** **paranormal.** **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! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so 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! **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. **=== 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? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 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** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand 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? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 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 suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 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

Anyone curious about tech is welcome to join this social run with Solana Run Club. We'll run 5K at an easy, conversational pace (no competition!) Bring your water bottle, a smile and dress for the weather ❗️Meet at the drinking fountain, not Marble Arch: [find on map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sW4WEFBgvz8Pie5K9) \*\*\*\* **Join the group chat and find useful info**: [solanarunclub.com](https://solanarunclub.com) **10:00 - 10:10**: meet + warm-up at [drinking fountain](https://maps.app.goo.gl/M9RnbveZZerVM7LN7) ([///noisy.demand.keeps](https://w3w.co/noisy.demand.keeps)) **10:10 - 10:40**: run 5k, easy pace ([route](https://solanarunclub.com/route/)) **10:40 - 12:00**: coffee, drinks and food at [Mercato Mayfair](https://maps.app.goo.gl/LWBihpvaeqKEmrqY8) ​​​​​​​​⏱️ Please arrive on time as messages can't be monitored during the run. Running late? Join us at Mercato. ​​​​​Bag drop-off is available at Mercato Mayfair. Just tell staff you're a Solana Run Club runner, or ping Alex on the group chat. Tube connections: \- Central: Marble Arch \- Elizabeth: Paddington\, Bond Street \- Jubilee: Bond Street \- District/Circle/H&C: Edgware Road \- Bakerloo: Paddington \- Victoria: Oxford Circus \- Piccadilly: Hyde Park Corner

Tired of small talk and ready to connect on a real level? Join us for **deep**, **meaningful conversations** and **new friendships** 👯‍♀️🎉 with a group of like-minded individuals who share your interests. This event is **free** but you will be **required** to buy food or drink before you can join us 🍭🍬🧁🍰🥤🧃- having water doesn't support the venue **Who is it for?** * You want more satisfying, deeper conversations * You want more meaningful and long-lasting connections in your life * You crave more from life and know its out there * You are bored of just socialising and want to have fun and explore a new type of event! **What's in it for you?** * **No more awkward silences!** We'll provide questions to spark engaging conversations. 💡 * **Meet like-minded people** who crave deeper connections. 🤝 * **Have fun** in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. 😊 **How does it work?** * We'll pair you up with different people for **15-minute 1-1 chats**. 🔄 * **Use our questions** as a starting point, or go off on your own tangent! 🗺️ * Be **open**, **honest**, and **curious**. 👂 * 15 minutes is a good amount of time to explore a question deeply and **not have awkward silence**.⏳ * You are also **free to take the conversation in any direction** you choose.🤩 * You can always sit out a round to **take a break** 😪 **Examples of questions that we provide:** * "If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?" 🦸‍♀️ * "What's your biggest fear, and why does it scare you?" 😱 * "What's the most meaningful thing you've ever done?" ❤️ * "What would you do if you had all the money and time in the world?" 💰 **Why do we love deep conversations?** * They're **authentic**, **raw**, and **honest**. * There are **no limits** to where they can go. * You'll feel **uplifted**, **inspired**, and **connected**. 🌟 **How to be a great conversation partner?** * **Be Respectful:** Listen attentively and avoid interrupting others. 👂 * **Be Open-Minded:** Consider different viewpoints and challenge your own assumptions. 🧠 * **Be Engaging:** Ask thoughtful questions and contribute to the conversation. 💬 * **Be vulnerable:** We are a safe space, so it’s okay to be yourself 🥺 🙈 * **Be honest:** Be honest about our experience of life 🌍 * **Be curious:** Be interested in the other person ❓ 🤔 👀 **Ready to take the plunge?** 🌊 Join us and experience the magic of deeper conversations! 💫 You may leave feeling **uplifted**, **inspired**, **connected**, **invigorated**, **positive**, **grateful**!❤️ **What others have to say**: * **Parimal**: "I had the most amazing time! The conversations were refreshing and genuinely authentic." * **David Saville**: "This is a wonderful event run by two extraordinary individuals." * **Edomi**: "This is one of the best meetups I've been to. Highly recommended!" We really hope to see you there! 👋 **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centered around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. 🧠💡 * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. 🗣️💬 * **Accessibility:** We believe meaningful connection should be accessible to everyone. Our community makes this possible by supporting each other. 🤝 **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free 💝** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity 👉🏽 [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

Is one of your 2026 goals to have more valuable engaging chats with new like-minded people who are into what you're into thereby adding more brilliant relevant people to your life? Then come and try something different for a perfect New Year adventure start with **group matched topic** based conversation Time is precious. Here at the Universe of Hedonic Adventures, we believe life gets better when you spend more time enjoying the things you love, with similar people who genuinely love them too. This is not just about bespoke socialising but ensuring fully engaging, soulfully enriching and inspiring interactions that leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. Start 2026 with themed conversatios providing **new beginnings**, **thought provoking engaging chats, good vibes, and meeting people who actually share the same interests as you** No awkward hovering. No boring small talk with “so what do you do?” . No meaningless icebreakers, No dull uninspiring generic chats! Just relaxed meaningful and exciting conversations with people who share your passions, interests and hobbies. Whether you’re into creativity, music, travel, films, wellness, curiosity, science, food, politics or great outdoor adventures, you’ll find your people here. **=== CHOOSE YOUR HIGH LEVEL TOPIC ===** Instead of walking into total randomness, choose **your specialist topic when you RSVP** to meet people just like you. When you arrive - you’ll join a small group of people with the same interests from: * **Music** * **Films, Theatre & TV Shows** * **Travel Destinations** * **Books** * **Health, Fitness, Sports & Nutrition** * **Fashion** * **Spirituality** * **Art** * **Outdoors & Nature** * **Space, Science & Wonder** * **Food, Eating Out & Cooking** **=== HOW IT WORKS ===** * **Pick your topic when you RSVP** so you’re matched with people who share your interests / passions. To keep conversations truly engaging for everyone, only select a topic that you can talk about with passion and sufficient knowledge * **When you arrive**, head to the **table area** (location and host contact number will be posted in the comments). * **Check in with host** — I’ll have a quick chat to make sure you’re comfortable with your chosen topic * **I’ll introduce you to your topic group**, connecting you with people who love the same things as you do * **Enjoy relaxed, easy conversation** over a drink with interesting and engaging people who actually share your hobbies, passions, and curiosity, not just any Tom, Dick & Harry * **Meet a mix of relevant like‑minded people**, ensuring high quality enjoyable organic conversations that flow naturally & never run out * If you get bored - I will re-alllocate you a different group with your secondary area of interest **=== VENUE ===** This historic, cosy, and much‑loved Islington bar serves everything from hot drinks to wine, beer, and food. So come and start 2026 with curiosity, connection, and a room full of people who might just become your new friends Lucas - The Social Butterfly

Window functions have nothing to do with the Windows operating system but provide a “window” to a result set when used in SQL queries. They are powerful, set-based methods to view data in unexpected ways. Window functions provide easy, set-based solutions to solve some common problems: * Using running totals * Performing operations in intervals * Identifying data gaps and islands * Performing aggregates without losing detail Many people are confused by window functions and do not know how to use them properly. This session will explore window functions, how they work, and how to use them. Demonstrations with several examples will solidify how window functions can simplify queries and make them more powerful.

**Google Analytics Alternatives** Is it finally time to make the switch away from Google Analytics? Two-and-a-half years ago Jason Packer asked this question at Columbus Web Analytics Wednesday. Since then: Google’s Universal Analytics has been sunset, we’ve changed our name to Columbus Data & Analytics Wednesday, and Jason has released two editions of his book “Google Analytics Alternatives”. Fresh off the release of the 2nd edition of his book, we thought it was time to re-open this conversation. While people love to complain about it, GA’s market share has remained relatively constant (at least in the United States). Why is that? You won’t find any complaints about GA4 in this talk, but rather an overview of what’s currently available in the market and how to frame your decision-making process. We’ll also be giving out some free copies of Jason’s book! So even if you’ve got a “GA4Lyfe” tattoo (no judgement), there’s free books to go with the free pizza and beer. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**Details:** This talk reviews the fundamental academic research literature in financial economics, distilling key findings with rigor while debunking suboptimal investing decisions. It draws on decades of empirical research and statistical analysis with the aim of guiding how to think about sound investing. **Audience Takeaway:** Attendees will gain a practical, research-based approach to assessing investments, interpreting risk, and making choices that support long-term financial independence, informed by decades of published financial studies. **Zoom: This is a *hybrid* event. To attend online, join us on Zoom here at 6pm:** https://iit-edu.zoom.us/j/87434065239?pwd=mK8gkDO6FTL2NBCXrgnViDwVJU14YT.1 Meeting ID: 874 3406 5239 Passcode: 826532 **Sponsor:** **[Tegus by AlphaSense](https://www.tegus.com) will provide the meeting site, as well as pizza and soft drinks for the onsite participants.** * **Address:** 200 N. LaSalle Street. Suite 1100. Chicago, IL 60601 * **Tegus by AlphaSense's Overview:** Tegus by AlphaSense is the leading market intelligence platform for key decision makers. We power some of the world’s most well-respected institutional investors, corporations, and consultancies through the largest and most comprehensive database of primary and market information. Our products and services enable clients to discover unmatched insights and answers to the most challenging questions they face to help them make better informed decisions. We are an end-to-end investment intelligence and research platform that modernizes the research processes. With an ecosystem that combines at-cost, on-demand expert calls with a 55K+ transcript library; quantitative financial workflows that streamline research across company disclosures, management presentations, earnings calls and filings; and 4K+ fully-drivable financial models and company benchmarking data, including every KPI and comparison that matters, Tegus by AlphaSense enables investors to move faster, gather deep research and surface high-quality insights to drive better decisions. The company serves customers worldwide, including investment analysts, portfolio managers and key decision makers across public and private businesses in markets of all sizes. * **Logistics**: To access the Tegus by AlphaSense building, we require **first and last names** of those who RSVP'd by Mar 18. Attendees will then present their **IDs** when they arrive at the front desk (right when they enter the building). They will be sent up in the elevator to the 11th floor where we will be.

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

One of the most valuable parts of this community is the opportunity to think out loud with other product professionals. This session is built for exactly that. As we wrap up the quarter, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What’s on track? What needs adjustment? Where could a small shift create bigger impact? Join fellow product professionals for a focused, interactive conversation designed to help you recalibrate for the next quarter. You’ll have the opportunity to share where you are, hear how others are thinking through similar challenges, and gain fresh perspective you can bring back to your team and organization. We’ll gather at 8:00AM, with discussion starting promptly at 8:15AM. 📍 First Watch - 7227 N High St Located in: The Shops at Worthington Ample parking is available. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Start your morning with clarity and connection — we hope to see you there! ☀️

Drake Lundstrom is presenting: Code Anywhere by Talking to your Phone Abstract: Have you heard the trend of people deploying code anywhere from checkout lines to doctors' offices? In this talk, you will learn how to talk to your phone and have an app on Azure to show your friend 5 minutes later. The basic DevOps tools you already know, plus a little bit of AI magic, are all you need! If you want to follow along, the demo will be in Azure with GitHub Actions and GitHub Copilot, and you can have it set up on your phone by the end of the session. Just come in with an Azure account and a GitHub repo. Join us for pizza, drinks, and networking @ Improving's office. Doors open at 5:45.