Casual Meetups London

Great Conversations with Friends at the Pub

We love a good chat. Come and join us at Table 45

Casual Tennis in Burgess Park 🎾

Join our WhatsApp group and sign up at [www.thesocialsport.com](www.thesocialsport.com)! Our weekly casual tennis session in Burgess Park. We play every Sunday afternoon (times may vary slightly week on week). **What is Social Sport?** Social Sport was set up to face two main challenges in cities like London: 1. Limited opportunities for those moving here to meet new people and socialise in a genuine, healthy way. 2. Lack of casual sports clubs for young professionals. We started with our New Sport Every Week session, voted for by people in our community. Since then, we have played over 21 different sports. Our weekly casual sessions allow us to create communities around certain sports. **Please note this session is popular and has a set number of places. If you do not secure your place before attending and the event is full, you may not be able to play.**

Big Talk Chats: Our Origins - The Cosmic Debate

When you look up at the stars, what is the first thought or instinct that goes through your mind? Do you ever ponder: Did a Creator set our world in motion, or is the universe a random cosmic event? Time is precious. Here we cherish non-boring big picture chats and interactions with interesting people 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 big picture thinkers** drawn to the mysteries of life, the universe and the unknown. An adrenaline caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring interconnected topics spanning the epistemology aspects of **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **physics, cosmology** and **theology** over a mug of sweet coffee or Chardonnay if that's what brings out your sharp debating skills Whether you've studied physics, identify as an atheist, or simply feel a deep sense of wonder about existence, you are welcome. You don't need an in-depth background in science or philosophy - just an open mind, your own stories, and a willingness to explore life's biggest questions. Chaired by a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher (I recognise statistical causality and significance don't 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 profess that god is an invisible force that can't be seen yet we can't directly see quarks, black holes, or dark matter but we know they exist in reality via inference through quantum mathematics, particle accelerators, and gravitational lensing and waves. None of that can be said about God - there is zero empirical evidence, just blind faith. So is anyone who declares there is proof of god delusional or just stupid? 2. Despite the fossil records, 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 statements proclaiming if we found aliens that would not contradict the existence of god. Was this because the foundation of their belief system was threatened? 3. The fundamental numbers that govern our universe such as gravity, the cosmological constant and the ratio of gravity to electromagnetism - seem to sit within an impossibly narrow margin for life as we know it. The odds of this happening by pure chance are estimated at less than 1 in 10^120. Such extreme precision could suggest these constants were deliberately tuned for life. But what if an infinite number of universes exist with different laws? Then it becomes a 100% mathematical certainty that at least one would accidentally have the right conditions for life and we simply happen to live in that one? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply these **parallel universes exist**? 4. If **Elon Musk** is right and that we live in a simulation created by an alien civilization or runs as a computer software, who created our creators? At what point does the chain of causes have to stop at an uncaused "base reality"? 5. Similarly if God created the universe then as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there - night as well believe witchcraft practised by Harry Potter at **Hogwarts** is real! Proponents will argue before god there was nothing. So how you get something from nothing? If god came out of nothing then why can't the universe? 6. Does the fact that 15% of people who have had NDEs report they were in 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? 7. What existed before the **big bang**? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole - what astrophysicts term as white holes. What you reckon? 8. We know there are trillions of galaxies and planets in our universe. James Webb has ffund 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 our planet - really? Through the lens of volume efficiency, the universe looks absurdly wasteful: atomic nuclei and electrons occupy less than 0.00000000001% of an atom's volume—the rest is empty space held apart by force fields. Yet, from an engineering perspective, this "empty" space is brilliant: the electromagnetic force allows electron clouds to form stable shells, creating room for chemistry, carbon atoms, and DNA to self-assemble automatically. Does this underlying stability point to intentional design, or just natural physical emergence? 9. 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? 10. Given the irrefutable scientific evidence for evolution at both micro and macro scale, is denying it is basic delusion as thinking the earth is flat. Could panspermia explain the origin of life on earth? 11. 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? ***So how do we get to the "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 of this lovely posh Islington pub. 10 mins walk from Highbury & Islington station. Ask for me by name or 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. Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

Casual Badminton near Waterloo/Southwark/London Bridge 🏸

**Join our WhatsApp group and sign up at [www.thesocialsport.com](www.thesocialsport.com)!** Our weekly casual badminton session at Borough Academy, Southwark. We play every Tuesday from 6 to 7 pm. **What is Social Sport?** Social Sport was set up to face two main challenges in cities like London: 1. Limited opportunities for those moving here to meet new people and socialise in a genuine, healthy way. 2. Lack of casual sports clubs for young professionals. We started with our New Sport Every Week session, voted for by people in our community. Since then, we have played over 21 different sports. Our weekly casual sessions allow us to create communities around certain sports. **Please note this session is popular and has a set number of places. If you do not secure your place before attending and the event is full, you may not be able to play.**

Casuals, 8-10pm £7 @ Reynolds / plastics

Casual weekly pickleball in London

**Sign up before the event starts at [https://thesocialsport.com/our_sports/pickleball/southwark-and-city](https://thesocialsport.com/our_sports/pickleball/southwark-and-city).** Our weekly casual indoor pickleball session at Borough Academy from 6 to 7 pm. All equipment provided. The event is £8.50 **Who are Social Sport?** Social Sport was set up to face two main challenges in cities like Cambridge: 1. Limited opportunities for those moving here to meet new people and socialise genuinely. 2. Lack of casual sports clubs for young professionals. We started with our New Sport Every Week session, voted for by people in our community. Since then, we have played over 18 different sports, and play 7 weekly, all of which were set up based on feedback from those who join our events! **Please note this session is popular and has a set number of places. If you do not secure your place prior to attending and the event is full you will not be able to play.**

Sunday pub lunch.

Join me inside The Swan pub in Hammersmith for lunch.

Sunday brunch/lunch.

Join me for a relaxed Sunday brunch/lunch in Charlotte's Cloud - a beautiful cafe at Distillery Wharf Hammersmith - near the river - we can go for a walk afterwards up to Fulham Pier for a cold drink. Please don't sign up then forget about it - I kindly request you cancel your place if you can no longer go as I would like a rough estimate on who is going so I can book space.

Pizza afternoon.

Join me at W4RM for some delicious pizza (other food is available) in this unassuming place dubbed "the best pizza in Chiswick". 63 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1RP - on the corner by the green about 200 yards from Turnham Green tube station. [https://stayw4rm.com/](https://stayw4rm.com/) We can go after somewhere nice to have a cuppa/drink as Chiswick has so many great places.

@ Rum Kitchen [Caribbean cuisine]

🔭NASA Confirms Life on Mars: View With Wine, Music & Telescopes ☾P Date☽🪐

If you're looking for sensational headlines - this group is defo not for you! But seriously - do you look up and marvel with insatiable curiosity at both the beauty and the wonder of the **universe?** How it began, our place in it, how life evolved and where else in the cosmos other non-microbial life might live (99% of stars have exoplanets orbiting - some similar to Earth )? And nah I didn't make it up - unless you live in hibernation or have zero idea about our greatest endeavours - you'll know **NASA really did find the best evidence to date of ancient life on Mars.** This follows scientific verification of the biological signatures of microbe life discovered on Venus a few years ago So we'll defo take a look at the red planet as well the majestic rings of **Saturn** and it's potential life harbouring moon, the international space station, Tau Ceti star with **2 Earth like planets** orbiting in the habitable zone, remnants of **supernova** witnessed by our early ancestors plus a range of other fascinating celestial wonderments (comets, star systems, **galaxies**) over drinks and engaging chats and banter this Sept fully hosted by me - a passionate amateur astronomer and former global Reuters journalist covering cutting edge big picture science related stories. In between observing - we'll have **drinks and engaging chats** on all astronomy related topics for those inclined (Astrobiology, SETI/Femi Paradox, cosmology, space exploration, exoplanetology, astrophysics etc) as well as non space chatter and banter too. No doubt I'll hear the usual jokes we've all heard hundreds of times before! If those don't make you laugh, then my impersonation of Los Angeles ET will! 👽 **====Free Astronomy Club =====** Over the years we have enjoyed numerous social evenings of stargazing and thought provoking chatter with people of all ages and varying levels of astronomy knowledge - so complete beginners that are genuinely curious about the universe are very welcome. If you are just looking to meet generic randoms that you have nothing in common with / share passio**ns** then there are other groups that easily cater for that. The world renowed **BBC Television Sky at Night** also attended our events pre covid and interviewed some of us for it's show that aired on BBC1 in Feb 2019. BBC **Radio London** (94.9 FM / digital) were there Aug 2023 to cover our meteor shower event broadcasting live to millions of Londoners for 3 hours You don't need a telescope as you will be able to view through scopes belonging to me and other club members (as long as you behave responsibly and don't temper with expensive equipment). If you have your own telescope/binoculars feel free to bring along and I can help you setting it up if you're a newbie. **====ITINERARY=====** We will meet outside Camden Station. After a short wait for anyone delayed, I will escort everyone to our observation point in the park about 15-20 minutes walk away and brief you in terms of what to expect, observing etiquette, tips, equipment handling and take any questions you have - weather general or astronomy/cosmology related. **After Drinks:** on work nights - unless I have a important 9AM deadline for a client presentation or something - most of us usually head our way back to Camden for another drink till about 1am - yes even on a skool night. I will annouce the pub to all on the walk back. **===What Can You Expect To See (this time of year)? ====** * Orion Nebula * Jupiter and 4 moons * Meteors * Andromedia Galaxy * Saturn, rings & moon * Star clusters such as the Pleiades & Owl Cluster etc * International Space station fly by * Venus & Mercury * Binary & tripple star systems (think planet *Tatooine in* Starwars!), * Neptune * Uranuus * Mars * Our moon * A look towards the galactic centre where that supermassive £22b black hole sits (Sagittarius A) More here from Jodrell Bank Observatory/Astrophysics Centre: [http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/](http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/) Guide to viewing the cosmos for beginners: [https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp](https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp) **===Weather Dependent=====** The event is subject to clear skies forecasts on the night so if on the actual afternoon of the event the weather forecasts looks unsuitable beyond doubt then I will postpone so please check the event status on the day of the event . If this event is still listed here at 5PM on the day, it will be going ahead at the designated day and time! Happy Stargazing Lucas Skywalker (Amateur Musical Astronomer)

SOLD OUT: TEiP X DEBATE LONDON • PART 1 | Thought Experiments in Public

This event is currently full. Please join the waitlist if you'd like to be notified if spaces become available: **[WAITLIST](https://thoughtexperiments.kit.com/teipxdebatelondon)** A special collaboration between TEiP and Debate London... We will explore 'debate' through the lens of philosophy and 'philosophy' through the lens of debate in two special events: PART 1 (this event): On the 14th of September, Debate London will come to TEiP and we will discuss three thought experiments on the theme of 'DEBATE' PART 2 (listed soon): On the 14th of October, TEiP will visit Debate London to participate in a philosophy inspired debate. **THIS EVENT** We'll meet at one of TEiP's favourite pubs, the beautiful Betjeman Arms in St Pancras Station. We'll explore the topic of 'DEBATE by way of three original thought experiments by Jessica (member of both TEiP and Debate London) and Bonny (TEiP Founder). They will be posted in the comments below on the day of the event. Spaces are limited and tickets are likely to 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) [@debatelondon](https://www.instagram.com/debatelondon/) **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