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Break the Pattern: Safe idea is taking a break

Sun, Oct 11, 1:00 PM

From Disruptive Creativity

**What if the fastest way to a better idea is to stop trying to have one?** **Come and stretch your thinking at Disruptive Creativity.** We see creativity as a potential within everyone, not something mysterious or rare. You don't need to think of yourself as "creative" to find it — it's already there, waiting to be nurtured, if we only find the right conditions for it to grow. Education and the demands of work can sometimes channel our thinking down narrow corridors. In these workshops, practical exercises give us a chance to step outside them: to make unusual connections, trust our intuition and give ourselves permission to follow an idea even when it first seems strange. **For example, what does a penguin have to do with your next big idea?** Probably nothing. Which is exactly why we’re interested. In this 90-minute workshop, we’ll take your thinking down the rabbit hole using surprise, random associations, strange constraints and unexpected prompts. We’ll start with ordinary problems, then deliberately make them stranger — following connections that seem irrelevant, or improbable. You might find yourself enthusiastically defending an idea that, five minutes earlier, you would have dismissed as far-fetched — good, you’re doing it right. Surprise captures the attention by breaking mind predictions. We’ll use it deliberately — alongside collaboration and a little productive absurdity — to loosen up habitual thinking and see what appears when the obvious route is blocked. **Bring your curiosity, leave your sensible shoes and your judgement at the door. Meet interesting people. Have some fun. Leave with techniques to disrupt the predictable.**

15 attendees

Brain Worms 125 / A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck

Tue, Oct 20, 6:00 PM

From Brain Worms Book Club

4.8

As a faithful Mormon, Soren Johansson has always believed he’ll be reunited with his loved ones after death in an eternal hereafter. Then, he dies. Soren wakes to find himself cast by a God he has never heard of into a Hell whose dimensions he can barely grasp: a vast library he can only escape from by finding the book that contains the story of his life. Available from all good libraries and book shops. You don't have to have read it to join us - but it'll probably help. We will be meeting in The Ludski Bar in the Rio Cinema. [https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/](https://www.riocinema.org.uk/your-visit/) You are welcome to bring outside food in with you but please buy your drinks from inside the cinema. Thank you. We hope to see you there. ... To join the Brain Worms WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EvFibn1d6AsEwdVGmwkhko](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EvFibn1d6AsEwdVGmwkhko) (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). Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective)

8 attendees

Conundrum Corner :: London - Your Dilemmas Discussed..

Tue, Oct 6, 6:00 PM

From London Philosophy Cafe

4.6

**✨ Welcome to Conundrum Corner at The Union Jack pub, Southwark! ✨** Step inside and join a gathering *of* open minds and kind hearts. Whether you bring a conundrum of your own that you are experiencing or simply your listening ear, you’ll find a welcoming space to share, reflect, and explore life’s tricky questions together. 🌿 **What to expect:** * You’re invited to share a conundrum, dilemma or question that you yourself are experiencing. * We’ll vote to choose a few intriguing ones to explore more deeply. * With a few extra details in hand, we’ll break into small groups for thoughtful discussion. * Then, we’ll come together as one big group to share insights, perspectives, and perhaps even some fresh solutions. The atmosphere is **analytical yet empathetic, thoughtful yet light-hearted**, and always non-judgmental. Whether your conundrum is personal, professional, or just a head-scratcher, we’re here to help unravel it together. 💸 There’s no set fee to attend, but we do ask for donations on the night to cover costs - which are warmly appreciated! 🍷 Please also support our lovely hosts, Jade and co., by buying yourself a drink at the bar (and food’s available if you fancy a bite). 💡 **What’s a conundrum, you ask?** A conundrum is any dilemma, crossroads, or confusion in your life—big or small. It could be a **"chicken and egg"** situation, a **"catch-22"**, or a **"have your cake and eat it"** kind of puzzle. Sometimes, life just throws us complex, messy questions—and that’s what we’re here to navigate together. Once our deep discussions wind down, we’ll slip into **pub mode**—a chance to relax, connect, and continue chatting with newfound friends. **🛡️ Code of Conduct - *please note*** Conundrum Corner is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all attendees. Any abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour towards other attendees, whether during the event or in any contact related to the event afterwards, will result in permanent removal from the Meetup group and exclusion from future events. Come along for an evening of intriguing conversations, fresh perspectives, and a touch of serendipity. Looking forward to seeing you there! Helena x

9 attendees

Train Your Brain – Burnout, Brain Fog & Focus Workshop, Balham

Mon, Oct 5, 5:30 PM

From Focus & Energy Workshops – Balham

Struggling with burnout, brain fog, or a slipping memory? Join our evening Balham workshop to train your focus, memory and mental energy. Burnout. Brain fog. Slipping focus. A memory that isn't what it used to be. If any of that sounds familiar, your brain isn't broken — it's untrained. Just like a muscle, it needs the right kind of workout to recover and perform. ✨ **Train Your Brain: A Practical Evening Workshop for Burnout, Focus & Memory** Join us for one evening of actual brain training — not a lecture, not a meditation app. Train Your Brain is a hands-on, science-inspired session built around four things professionals struggle with most: burnout, brain fog, focus, and memory. In just one evening, you'll practise neurogym drills, breathwork, and coordination techniques that train your nervous system the way a workout trains your muscles — clearing brain fog, rebuilding focus, sharpening memory, and pulling you back from burnout. **Perfect for anyone experiencing:** * 🔥 Burnout — work-related stress, low motivation, feeling constantly overwhelmed * 🌫️ Brain fog — mental exhaustion, psychosomatic tension, chronic fatigue * 🎯 Focus struggles — difficulty concentrating, distractibility, slow decision-making * 🧠 Memory concerns — forgetfulness, mental sluggishness, autoimmune-related overwhelm 💡 **What You'll Gain** By the end of the workshop, you'll feel: * Relief from burnout and a calmer nervous system * Noticeably clearer, with brain fog lifted * More focused and present, able to concentrate for longer * Sharper memory and quicker recall * Physically lighter and less tense * More productive and motivated You'll also leave with brain training recordings to keep practising at home, so your progress on burnout, focus, and memory continues long after the event. 🧭 **What We'll Do** A practical, hands-on experience including: * **OsteoYoga Warm-Up** – gentle alignment for the neck and spine (burnout relief) * **Breathwork for Energy** – techniques to reset stress in minutes (burnout relief) * **Brain Activation Biohacks** – hand, joint, and coordination drills (focus + memory) * **Superbrain Neurogym Circles** – patterns that sharpen focus (focus) * **528 Hz Bridge-of-Mind Meditation** – shift into calm clarity (brain fog relief) * **Rhythm and Coordination Practices** – boost mental agility (memory + focus) * **Neurodance** – fun, confidence-building sequencing (brain fog relief) * **Lifestyle Tips** – neurofood, routines, and stress-recovery tools (burnout prevention) This workshop is designed to be safe, enjoyable, and accessible for all fitness levels. ☕ **Venue** Hosted at Panda's Coffee House in Balham — a welcoming, creative space set up as your training ground for the evening. 📅 **Details** * **Date:** Monday, 5 October 2026 * **Time:** 6:30 PM * **Venue:** Panda's Coffee House, 84 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AG 🎧 **Included With Your Ticket** * Guided recordings of hypnotherapy and meditation practices to build and maintain good habits * Tools you can use daily to reduce stress and sharpen your mind * Practical techniques you can integrate into your routine immediately 🎟️ **Limited Spaces** This is an intimate experience — book early to secure your place. 📣 **Your Feedback Matters & Helps Us Stay Accessible** We aim to keep these wellness events low-cost so everyone can benefit. By attending this workshop, you agree to provide feedback on your experience. Your honest reviews allow us to gain more exposure and secure future funding to keep these sessions running. 🔗 **Booking & Official Links:** * 🎟️ **Eventbrite Tickets:** [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/train-your-brain-burnout-brain-fog-focus-workshop-balham-tickets-2002423320054?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/train-your-brain-burnout-brain-fog-focus-workshop-balham-tickets-2002423320054?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=gemini) * 🌐 **Website:** [https://calm-lily.co.uk/events](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://calm-lily.co.uk/events&utm_source=gemini) * 🧘 **Guided Meditation Channel:** [https://www.youtube.com/@Calmlily978](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.youtube.com/%40Calmlily978&utm_source=gemini) * 💬 **WhatsApp (Enquiries & Concessions):** 07772985791

1 attendee

Developing Humour And Quick Thinking In Social Situations Workshop

Sun, Oct 11, 4:45 PM

From Singles and the City

3.8

**TICKET PRICES** 🟤 THE FIRST 10 TICKETS ARE **£4.50 ONLY** 🟢 REMAINING TICKETS ONLINE ARE **£9.50 ONLY** 🟣 TICKETS AT THE DOOR ARE **£15** Buy Tickets On This Link: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998128528216](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998128528216) In this workshop Ryan explains how it’s possible to become more funny plus the best ways to do this, what the different types of humour are with brain training exercises designed to make you sharper in this area. With practice bringing everything together in conversation at the end. 🔵 - Why it is possible to improve humour if you’re not currently very good at that area 🟣 - How to become more funny over time 🟠 - What the different types of humour are 🟢 - How to deliver humour in social situations 🔵 - Brain training exercises designed to increase sharpness at this area of social skills ⚫ - A challenge at the end to bring everything from the workshop together Ryan has been coaching people social skills full time for over 10 years. As a quiet & shy person he wanted to work on his own social skills & after making huge improvements plus understanding how social situations work & how to improve he developed a process to help others for every area of social skills. He has helped thousands of people over the years to improve & now has a huge following including over 180000 followers on TikTok. More info on Ryan & Social Shortcuts can be found on the website [www.socialshortcuts.com](https://www.socialshortcuts.com) After workshops we spend time hanging out together, a great opportunity to practice the workshop content & make new friends. Plus Ryan is happy to answer any questions you want to ask one to one. 🟢Workshop happening right after this: **How To Never Run Out Of Things To Say** Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 5:45 PM in **LONDON** Tickets - [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998128529219](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998128529219) In this workshop Ryan explains how conversations function, how to make them flow with brain training exercises that can be practiced to get sharper at conversations. This also helps conversations to be more engaging for everyone involved including yourself. 🟡 - Get rid of awkward silences in your conversations 🟤 - Make your conversations flow smoothly ⚪ - Make your conversations more engaging for everyone involved including yourself 🔴 - Indirectly benefit other areas of your social skills because if you’re not thinking about how to keep the 🟢 - conversation flowing you have more free thinking space to focus on other areas like humour or body language 🔴- Decrease your nervousness in social situations as often nervousness comes from not knowing what to say 🟣 - Brain training exercises designed to increase sharpness at this area of social skills 🟡 - A challenge at the end to bring everything from the workshop together In person workshops are at 40 Store St. - Store Street Espresso: London. For any questions feel free to contact Ryan or Gabriel. Please don't contact the other group organisers as they are not involved in running the event & won't be able to provide much help:  ✉ **Ryan**: info@socialshortcuts.com  ✉ **Gabriel**: gabrielsocialshortcuts@gmail.com **OTHER EVENTS LINED UP** 🟡 Developing Humor And Quick Thinking In Social Situations  🟢 Persuasion Workshop  🟤 How To Manage Emotions Workshop 5 minute documentary on our workshops - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rlbCYdeaws We have a score of 4.9 out 5 on Trustpilot - https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/socialshortcuts.com Our WhatsApp chat where we discuss social skill, give updates about our events & you can ask questions - https://chat.whatsapp.com/H3mLsvkNJwpCcOELRX28nQ For one to one coaching on social skills and also our free trial session - [ http://www.socialshortcuts.com We have over 180000 followers on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@socialshortcuts.com Our video courses - [https://social-shortcuts.teachable.com/p/conversation-course DISCLAIMER This workshop is intended for educational and or entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. **Follow us on the sites below also**:  http://www.socialshortcuts.com http://www.youtube.com/c/socialshortcuts http://www.facebook.com/socialshortcutsofficial http://www.Instagram.com/socialshortcuts **📜 Victor Borge** **📜** Laughter is the shortest distant between two people

1 attendee

Rye & Winchelsea by High Speed Rail

Sat, Oct 24, 9:00 AM

From Railway Adventures on the High Teas

4.7

We will take the javelin railway from St Pancras to visit the historic towns of Rye & Winchelsea in East Sussex. Rye is a medieval town suspended in time with cobbled streets & ancient passageways leading to Tudor & Georgian architectural treasures. The town has several medieval churches & the Ypres Tower which affords fine views along the coast . Rye has many literary links; Henry James & EF Benson lived here & set some of their works in the town. Winchelsea is an “Antient town” one of the original Cinque Ports. Built in the 13th century on the orders of Edward 1, it is the best preserved medieval Bastide towns in Southern England. The stone gateways within the town walls allow access to the captivating town with many fine Georgian streets. Winchelsea has many links to artists; Turner & Millais were inspired by its charms Plan is to alight in Winchelsea to explore the town before having lunch at the pub by the town square. We will then do the 1066 walk passing Camber Castle to reach Rye. Walk is around 4 miles. We will then explore Rye with a late afternoon tea stop in one of the tea gardens. Regular trains back so people can leave at any time. Option for a coastal walk after to Camber Sands & beaches. Meet from 10.00am at Benugo cafe, balcony opposite Betjeman statue. South Eastern Javelin trains depart from platforms 11-13, 10.35am. £5 for meet up fees. A good knowledge of English history is required for this event. Frequent trains back to London so people can leave at anytime.

1 attendee

Conundrum Corner :: a place to discuss your dilemmas and others'

Tue, Oct 6, 6:00 PM

From Conundrum Corner

4.8

7 attendees

TEiP ON THE HOUSE • PORTOBELLO S4E7: LOYALTY | Thought Experiments in Public

Fri, Oct 2, 5:30 PM

From THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBLIC (TEiP)

4.8

The BIG FREE Friday night episode of THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBLIC\* Join us to imagine out loud with an openminded group of people from all walks of life. \*formerly just pubs, now meeting in lots of places IMPORTANT: It is likely that TEiP will move off Meetup at some point in the future. Please join the mailing list if you'd like to stay in the loop (comms will be minimal and you can unsubscribe at anytime): **[MAILING LIST](https://thoughtexperiments.kit.com/36b38902fa)** October's theme is TBC. Whatever it is, we will explore it with three original **thought experiments** (posted in the comments below on the day of the event) **The aim of this meetup:** meet new people and have different, thought provoking conversations. **How we'll do it** (timings approximate)**:** * **6:30** \- Arrive at the pub\, find us in the dining room * Organise ourselves into small groups (4-7ish...recent research finding: apparently 4 is the best number for a good conversation!) * Have a look at the thought experiments (posted in the comments on the day of the event) * **6:45** \- First rotation begins \- Talk about the first thought experiment\. If you don’t want to talk about that one\, move on to another one\. Feel free to veer off topic\. * **7:10** \- Optional shuffle: swap groups\, move on to the second thought experiment\. * **7:35** \- Optional shuffle: swap groups\, move on to the third thought experiment\. * **8:00** \- Votes \- optional moment to express your views on some of the questions of the evening\. * **8:05** \- Wrap up \- hear about upcoming events\. * Organised part of the meetup is over, feel free to carry on conversations (many of us stay until the pub closes!) **Notes on the general atmosphere:** * The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic. * While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough! * Feel free to suggest ideas for future episodes of Thought Experiments in Public\*, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss. **Where we'll meet:** This group will be at the Earl of Lonsdale Pub on Portobello. The nearest Tube station is Notting Hill Gate. **Who should come:** Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc. etc.... You can get a sense of what the events and community are like **[here](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)**. Looking forward to meeting & talking with you soon! Bonny Relevant links: **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- read more about this community and other related stuff **[MAILING LIST](https://thoughtexperiments.kit.com/36b38902fa)** \- stay in the loop **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what our events look like **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D13LHw5BV3rEtUtO3ORklC)** \- very occasional announcements #everyonewelcome #newideas #newpeople #inclusivity #openmindedness #greatconversations

100 attendees

🏃‍♀️🧟‍♂️ Urban Zombie Survival: Dark Mode - Infectious Game!💥

Fri, Oct 2, 5:30 PM

From Active Muslims 🟢🟡🔴

4.9

Zombies is a large-scale infectious outdoor tag game! 🏃 Evade zombies, pick up health packs, become the final survivor! If you're caught, you turn into a zombie and join the hunt! 🧟 📺 [Previous Hunt!](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ddj9OhwNipR/?stkn=ZjNwbWwweHA4ajVx) If you like hilarious situations, outdoor fitness, social times, group activities, games, adventures, sports or new ways to exercise, you will love Zombies! Bonding over nearly dying is also a fantastic way to make friends for life! ❤️ 📍 **LOCATION/HOW TO FIND** 📍 Exit Barbican Underground station, turn left and walk up Aldersgate St for 1 min, then turn right onto Fann St. We'll meet on the corner opposite "The Shakespeare". 🚉 **Closest Stations** 🚉 \- Barbican \(Circle\) \- 4 minute walk \- Farringdon \(Elizabeth Line\) \- 7 minute walk 📍 [Meeting Location](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ko8Zj6tpa9MrMr7j8) 💭 **WHAT TO BRING** 💭 \- 📱 **Download the [PlayCulture App Here](www.playculture.com/app)** \- ⚡ Have a fully charged phone \(app will need to stay on for the duration of the game\) \- 👟 Comfy shoes \(You will need to run as part of the game\) \- 🥤 Bottle of water ️🛍️ WHAT NOT TO BRING 🎒 Please try not to bring a bag/backpack as we don't have anywhere to store bags 🚀 **EVENT SCHEDULE** 🚀 \- Meet at 6:30PM \(at Barbican Station\) \- Walk to the meeting point \(Location shared above\) \- Brief on how the game works and the rules \- Game Starts: **7:00PM** \- Start with a shorter game session for everyone to help gain familiarity \- Move on to longer game sessions \- End by 9:00/9:30PM ⚡ **HOW DOES THE GAME WORK?** ⚡ This game uses the free PlayCulture App ([playculture.com/app](http://playculture.com/app)). Players divide into Survivors and Zombies. Survivors try to evade the Zombies (using the danger radar to see where they are), and can pick up health packs to stay alive for longer. If a Zombie gets too close they can infect you! If you get infected you become a Zombie and join the hunt! At the end you will see a leaderboard showing everyone’s scores 📜 **RULES** 📜 Zombies takes place in public spaces, so please remember these rules: \- Non\-players always have priority \- Safety first: don’t do anything to endanger yourself or anyone else \- Don’t run around blind corners or across roads\, no risk\-taking\! \- Be kind when you catch\, we're all on the same team\! \- Players must be 18 or older\. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and remain together for the duration of the game\. **📋 Attendance Policy:** When an event has a **waiting list**, priority is given to new joiners and those with a reliable attendance record - *previous "No-Shows" may be moved to the waitlist to ensure spots go to reliable attendees [[why it matters](https://tinyurl.com/28sh83cn)]* ⛑️ **Disclaimer**: You are solely responsible for your own safety on these events and have the fitness level required for it. That you do not require special attention, medication or additional care. You are also responsible for your belonging at all times. **Follow us for updates:** 🌐 **[@Active.Muslims](https://www.instagram.com/active.muslims)**

17 attendees

Social Pub Quiz Mingle | Making friends one terrible answer at a time

Tue, Oct 6, 5:00 PM

From FUN SEEKERS | London Socials

4.5

Social Pub Quiz Mixer - Meet new people one question at a time Whether you come solo or with friends, you’ll be thrown straight into the madness with a bunch of lovely strangers who may or may not become your new besties. **JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/HaIzA7JyKOK68VYrdmIFr8](https://chat.whatsapp.com/HaIzA7JyKOK68VYrdmIFr8) Expect ridiculous quiz rounds, comedy, challenges, prizes, bad teamwork, questionable knowledge & absolute scenes. Plus 🏆 Win: • £100 Bar Tab • Plastic Medals (worthless financially, priceless emotionally) • Ultimate pub quiz glory There is a £3pp entry to the quiz payable on the day that covers the prizes you can win We’ll be wrapped up by around 8:30/8:45pm… unless you and your new mates decide to keep the night going afterwards. No quiz knowledge required. Just good vibes and a tolerance for chaos. **⏱️Schedule:** **6:00 PM – Arrival & Mingling 🍻** Get a drink, meet your teammates and settle in. **6:30 PM – Quiz Kick-Off 🧠** The Quiz Chaos begins — ease yourself in… it won’t stay calm for long. **8.30 PM – Results & Prizes 🏆** Winners crowned, losers… dealt with accordingly. **Onwards – Post-Quiz Social ✨** Stick around for drinks, games, and general chaos. *** **🎯 Good to know:** * No quiz experience needed (honestly, it might make things worse) * Either come with a team or solo-- and we find your team mates group! * Expect laughs, not perfection Come for the quiz, stay for the chaos

19 attendees

SOLD OUT • TEiP ST PANCRAS • S3E5: AGENCY | Thought Experiments in Public

Mon, Oct 12, 6:00 PM

From THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBLIC (TEiP)

4.8

This event is full. Please join the waitlist if you'd like to be notified if spaces become available: **[WAITLIST](https://thoughtexperiments.kit.com/waitlistteipstpancras-agency)** Open minded discussions and the opportunity to learn from each other ❤️ **N.B.** it is likely that we will leave Meetup at some point in the future, to stay in the loop, sign up to the very minimalist: **[TEiP NEWS](https://thoughtexperiments.kit.com/)** This episode will explore the topic of 'AGENCY' by way of three original thought experiments by special guest author, Lennon. They will be posted in the comments below on the day of the event. We'll meet at the beautiful Betjeman Arms in St Pancras Station. Spaces are limited and tickets sell out fast, so get your ticket early if you want to be there! See what these events are like: [@thoughtexperimentsinpubs](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs) **The idea:** A chance to meet and talk meaningfully about thought provoking topics. **How we'll do it** (timings approximate): * 7:00pm - Arrive at The Betjeman Arms. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. * Organise ourselves into small groups (3-4 people per group) * Have a look at the **thought experiments** (announced on the day of the event) * 7:15 - First rotation begins - Talk about the first thought experiment, but feel free to veer off topic. * 7:35 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the second thought experiment. * 8:00 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the third thought experiment. * 8:25pm - Wrap up - hear about upcoming events, feedback/requests for future meetups. * 8:30 Meetup ‘ends’. But feel free to carry on conversations. We have the room until 10pm and usually a lot of us stay until then :-) **Notes on the general atmosphere**: * The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic. * While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough! * Feel free to suggest ideas for future Thought Experiments in Pubs meetup groups, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss. **Where we'll meet**: This group will be at The Betjeman Arms. The nearest Tube station is King's Cross St. Pancras. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. **Who should come**: Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc.... I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful location. Bonny :-) Relevant links: **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- read more about this community and other related stuff **[MAILING LIST](https://thoughtexperiments.kit.com/36b38902fa)** \- backup in case meetup goes down **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what our events look like **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DapwAXpnOHO5DRYThobpe4)** \- very occasional announcements

40 attendees

🤔Deep Unearthing Conversations: 🌌Life, The Universe, and Everything ☕

Sun, Oct 18, 4:15 PM

From 🥂Too Kool For Skool Young London Night Owl Professionals🌙

4.6

When you look up at the stars, what is the first thought or instinct that goes through your mind? Do you ever ponder: Why are we here? Did a cosmic creator set our world in motion or did we and the universe come about randomly without any purpose? What are the odds of not just you existing right now but the entire universe itself? Time is precious. Here we cherish non-boring chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for naturally inquisitive and curious **independent thinkers** drawn to the mysteries of life, the universe and the unknown to share ideas on exciting thought provoking topics no one else has the courage to talk about. An adrenaline caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring interconnected topics spanning **philosophy** (epistemology aspects)**,** **neuroscience**, **cosmology** and **theology** over a mug of sweet coffee or Chardonnay - if that's what you need to let your thoughts run free! Whether you've studied philosophy, cosmology, theology or simply feel a deep sense of wonder about existence, you are welcome. You don't need an in-depth background - just an open mind, some great books under your belt and a willingness to explore life's big questions and potentially share some stories Chaired by a former Reuters journalist, amateur Astronomer and published empirical researcher (I recognise statistical causality and significance doesn't necessarily make something true) - exploring topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager. There'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure particpants derive maximum utlity and engagement from attending **==== Sample of conversational threads ===** might include: #1: Many say that because God is an invisible force so no proof can be provided for his or her existence. Yes but we cannot see quarks, black holes, dark matter or even exoplanets but we know they are real in reality via inference through quantum mathematics, particle accelerators, and gravitational lensing and waves. None of that can be said about a creator which is based just on blind faith. So, is anyone who declares there is proof of God delusional, or simply mistaken about what constitutes empirical evidence? #2: Despite the fossil records, genetic **tree of life** genome mapping, the detection of cosmic microwave background radiation from over 13.8 billion years ago and radiometric isotope dating with half-lives exceeding the biblical timeline, many **religions refuse to answer questions on** dinosaurs, evolution, space and the age of the universe. When the first physical evidence of exoplanets was confirmed, the Vatican - realising that other life in the galaxy was highly likely - issued press releases proclaiming if we found aliens that would not contradict the existence of god. Was this because the very foundation of their belief system was threatened? #3: So imagine a wonderful, all almighty God created the entire universe with the power to decide our fate upon death. Then why doesn't this God not help kids in pediatric oncology ward? Many of us have gone out of our way to selflessly help complete strangers without expecting anything in return. Yet we are sold a deity that promises you a conditional heaven tomorrow in exchange for suffering today, but only if you believe. What kind of caring snake oil salesman god promotes **transactional marketing**? Yes, many great philosophers including Hume and Kant have tackled the contradiction - surely the only explanation is that the universe operates on indifferent physical and biological laws rather than divine governance? #4: As Alice Roberts work - not only as a renowned British scientist but in her capacity as a biological anthropologist and anatomist demonstrates - the probability that we exist today through **evolution** **is 99.999%.** Whilst we don't understand everything - fossil records spanning millions of years along with genetic DNA and RNA sequencing traces not just us but every living specie back to a **single common ancestor called LUCA that lived about 4.2 billion** years ago. [See research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02461-1]. We know evolution is 100% real because you can observe it directly real time under a microscope [genetic mutation is how bacteria is able to change its genes to survive antibiotics]. But what about the universe we live in itself? Did that too come about randomly? Read on.... #5: Based on the precision of cosmological natural laws that govern our universe (gravity, dark energy, ratio of gravity to electromagnetism etc) those odds are estimated at less than 1 in 10^{120}, i.e practically zero - suggesting our world could of been fine tuned. So yes - everything from atoms, stars, planets and eventually us emerged from one particular set of physical rules. #6: But what if an infinite number of universes exist with different laws? It then becomes a 100% certainty that at least one would have the right conditions for life as we know it, and we simply happen to live in that one? Does the discovery of quantum superposition or 'disappearing neutrons' (9 second neutron lifetime discrepancy) imply these **parallel universes** actually exist? #7: Clinical prayer trials and Cochrane meta-analyses reviews testing the impact of third-party prayer on patient recovery, mortality rates and re-hospitalization show **zero statistical evidence** of divine intervention effects in **randomized controlled trials**. So aside from a placebo effect which we can easily get from a sugar, praying for anything is a complete waste of time! Does this mean god doesn't care about you in this life let alone the afterlife? #8: Was God just a man-made, artificial **ideological construct** invented to build empires and control people, similar to a tyrannical states? Both Christianity and Islam are guilty of atrocious acts, as evidenced by centuries of Islamic imperial domination prior to the Crusades, where hundreds of thousands of Christians and members of other faiths were killed all in the name of an ideology. #9: If **Elon Musk** is right and we live in a simulation created by an alien civilization or a computer software, who created our creators? At what point does the chain of causes have to stop at an uncaused base reality? #10: Similarly if God created the universe then as my philosophy professor once postulated: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Does that inconvenient flaw **debunk every religion** out there? Is there any difference between a book fairytale and religion? What makes God true and witchcraft practised by Harry Potter at **Hogwarts** false? #11: Proponents argue that before god there was nothing. So how you get something from nothing? If god came out of **nothing** then why can't the universe? Scientists see particles pop into existence and vanishing back into nothingness constantly. So quantum cosmology suggests the universe can create itself from nothing [with a quantum net energy of zero] without violating any laws of physics. What existed before the **big bang**? Could a quantum fluctuation generated spacetime itself in which case the mind fuck is: there is **no "before"** because time only came into being with the universe. BUT where did these quantum laws of physics originate? #12: Does the fact that 15% of people who have had NDEs reporting that they went to hell prove God exists? Could pleasant experiences of happiness be purely endorphin-driven? If a morphine antagonist is given instead, could that evoke a demonic experience? #13: If a wise supreme intellectual entity of genius created the universe, then why has it been so easy for us mortal humans to **crack the code of life**? We can create species in a lab, including humans. Surely a God would have made it impossible to decode our own biological source code by creating life using physical laws that defy human comprehension? And what if we humans, through AGI, build a synthetic intelligence that surpasses our own collective cognitive abilities? Surely this upends religious narratives, suggesting creation is not a top-down divine miracle, but an evolutionary ladder? #14: We know there are trillions of galaxies and planets in our universe. James Webb has found early black holes just 1 million years after our universe was born that make no sense. Dark matter and massive empty space for life only to exist on one planet - really? #15: The mobile or laptop you are using right now to read this is mostly **empty space**. The solid bits [the nucleus and electrons] take up less than 0.00000000001% of an atom's volume - held open by invisible energy force fields [electromagnetism]. #16: Yet, without this "empty" space, nothing would exist because all the complex molecules that we we are made of like carbon and DNA could not form. Does this perfect engineering point to **intentional design**, or just natural physical emergence? #17: If a higher intelligence or God did create our universe, what could the purpose and motive be? Love, connection, artistic expression, or simply exploring what complex systems can do? #18: Evidence of reincarnation and cellular memory in organ transplants is recorded in clinical settings, yet these ideas are rejected by major religions because they are undermine scriptural tenets regarding **afterlife**. Is this because religions are just rigid ideological inventions governed by fictious texts written by human prophets communicated to by a God that created billions of species yet miraculously happen to speak the **same language** as them? We know many animals exhibit consciousness - did god bark at dogs too? Why would a cosmic universe creator not reflect universal cosmic truths rather than specific cultural, linguistic, and biological biases of ancient humans? If we assume for a sec that these choosen ones did communicate with god - how do we know that they didn't just suffer from **dopamine** [D2] excess in the brain - i.e they had clinical psychosis? #19: Has a profound personal experience, a mystical moment, or a sense of awe in nature ever made you feel connected to something higher? How do our personal experiences shape what we believe compared to logic or science? #20: If God created a universe with purpose of life then why did he not protect it throughtout the Earth's evolution where it could of vanished without any trace? Does the data on five **mass extinction events** prove we are just lucky anomalies, not the plan? **So, does God exist?** I take real-world data on the above across medical trials, fine-tuning cosmological constants (for the universe to exist/expansion speed of), molecular biology & cellular genetics [likelihood of observing complex, self-organizing DNA and RNA under natural evolution versus divine creation], natural evil, divine silence, and quantum cosmology) to empirically estimate the **GOD EQUATION.** My model estimates the **probability** of a God at a maximum of **2.47%!** (built using bayesian probabilistic inference guided by occam's razor - I can share more on my methodolgy and parameters used if interested) ***Is this ulimate "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and in my consulting work applying advanced empirical research techniques to answer difficult questions - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. As George Box once said "All models are wrong, but some are useful" 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 **a** balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning at least be a starting rationale framework? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the outside back garden **Ye Olde London (42 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7DE)**. I will post in commrents exactly what table we are at. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location. We will leave for **Stargazing** around 8pm Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers