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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Free Thinkers
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260117T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260117T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20251123T173550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251227T202052Z
UID:629-1768654800-1768662000@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:How Demographic Change is Reshaping Our Future
DESCRIPTION:This month\, Matthew Stanford has kindly agreed to lead the discussion on the topic of demographic changes reshaping our futures. \n\n\n\nFor the first time in human history\, more than half the world’s countries have birth rates below replacement level. Ageing populations will affect pensions\, healthcare systems\, the economy\, and even the existence of entire nations. \n\n\n\nMeanwhile\, some regions of the world\, such as Africa\, are booming with young\, expanding populations. This demographic divide will reshape the world as we know it. Ageing superpowers will be challenged by youthful nations with new economic and military strength. \n\n\n\nIn this talk\, we will discuss why birth rates are falling\, how they affect our future\, and if technology or migration can fill the gap. Expect insights\, discussion\, and a few surprises about the world’s demographic future. \n\n\n\nSo join us for the first debate/discussion of 2026. Once again\, all opinions are welcome\, and we only ask that you respect everyone else’s opinions whilst using decorum where necessary. \n\n\n\nThis event is free under the priviso that everyone buys at least one drink from the bar (non-alcoholic beverages also served). \n\n\n\nLook forward to debating with everyone. \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/how-demographic-change-is-reshaping-our-future/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2025/11/highres_531084756.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260228T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260228T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20251227T201915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T155617Z
UID:647-1772283600-1772290800@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Does Intuition Influence Our Conscious State?
DESCRIPTION:This month’s debate/discussion will be hosted by Julie Tasker. \n\n\n\nDo you appreciate your own intuitive abilities?How might you develop your intuition to improve your life experiences? \n\n\n\nIntuition is the ability to understand or know something instinctively\, without conscious reasoning or needing an explanation. What does that mean in everyday life? \n\n\n\nOften\, intuition is called a “gut feeling”. Most people will know they’ve experienced a “gut feeling” at some time in their life – perhaps you have felt that something was wrong but didn’t know what; and then you heard of something adverse that’s just happened\, or someone rings or contacts you in some way that confirms your earlier feelings. These intuitive feelings could also be something positive\, though this isn’t generally talked about as often in our society. \n\n\n\nUnfortunately\, life tends to have closed down your intuition\, such as through much of our education system and other life approaches. Thus\, the potential considerable benefits of developing your intuition tend not to usually be emphasised in our daily lives. \n\n\n\nYet we can all develop our natural intuitions which is where we are aiming in the presentation which will include some tools to develop intuitions\, and also discussion to share people’s previous experiences and during / after the different intuitive exercises. \n\n\n\nPlease attend with an open mind\, and share your thoughts respectfully knowing that everyone has had different experiences and may have different beliefs. \n\n\n\nAs usual\, this event is free of charge\, and it will only cost you the price of a drink from the venue (non-alcoholic beverages are available). \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/does-intuition-influence-our-conscious-state/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2025/12/consciousness.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260328T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260328T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20260128T165421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T165421Z
UID:658-1774702800-1774710000@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:A Healthier Lifestyle or UPFs? An update on the latest nutrition developments
DESCRIPTION:Recently\, RFK Junior has caused a raucous by turning the food pyramid upside down. \n\n\n\nThe American Health Department is looking likely to abandon 40 years of research\, which has promoted a high carb diet that is rich in seed oils and other nefarious ingredients. \n\n\n\nIt now seems they will revert to promoting a diet rich in tallow fats and dairy. Are the days of Ultra Processed Foods numbered? \n\n\n\nThis is a follow-up to our discussion early last year\, based on new developments. \n\n\n\nSo join us for an interesting debate/discussion. All’s we ask is that you respect everyone’s opinions and refrain from using offensive language. \n\n\n\nThis event is free and will only cost the price of a drink from the bar (non-alcoholic beverages are available). \n\n\n\nLook forward to debating with everyone. \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/a-healthier-lifestyle-or-upfs-an-update-on-the-latest-nutrition-developments/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/01/highres_532337528.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260425T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20260224T111340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T113029Z
UID:700-1777122000-1777129200@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Beauty - Is this the aim of Art or an outdated Idea?
DESCRIPTION:This month’s debate/discussion will be hosted by Jo Herlihy. \n\n\n\nThink of a piece of art – a painting\, a piece of music\, or maybe a building – that you love. Would you say that it was beautiful? And if yes\, what makes it so? \n\n\n\nThe introduction for this meeting will offer an overview of the history of beauty in art – how it has been understood\, defined\, and redefined by key thinkers over time. This should help us think about whether the idea of Beauty is relevant today – for what is produced and valued. \n\n\n\nThe idea of beauty in art has been\, and continues to be\, debated. The question is far from settled and has implications for how we think about art (whether as an artist or as a viewer) and for the institutions teaching about it and for those who look after artistic creations. \n\n\n\nSo join us for another fact-filled\, lively discussion/debate. As always\, we only ask that you respect everyone’s opinions and be cordial. This event is always free of charge and will only cost you the price of a drink from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic available). \n\n\n\nBefore the April MeetUp\, we’d love to hear your views on Art and Beauty through a short 2-minute survey. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts\, and hopefully\, we’ll see you on April 25th. \n\n\n\nArt and Beauty – https://forms.office.com/r/aqADcfREQq \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/beauty-is-this-the-aim-of-art-or-an-outdated-idea/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/02/highres_532897211.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260523T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260523T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20260408T200201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T200206Z
UID:740-1779541200-1779548400@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Religion and spirituality in the modern world: Is God still relevant?
DESCRIPTION:We literally have over 2\,000 different religions being practised all over the world today. However\, particularly in western society\, the largest growing demographic is those who have rejected any kind of faith or spiritual practise. They prefer a life of secularism\, and even atheism. \n\n\n\nReligion has been practised (mostly polytheism) since around 10\,000 years ago\, when the very first communities began to form. Every culture in existense has performed various rituals and practises\, in order to honour a higher power. \n\n\n\nIn the UK today less than 6% of the population attend regular church services. We have also become multitheistic\, witnessing other faiths besides Christianity becoming more widespread. \n\n\n\nWhat is the future of faith in our society? Why has the spread of atheism become so prominent? \n\n\n\nI have also set a multiple choice question for everyone to answer if they could please. This will give us some kind of an idea as to the make-up of our members who are attending this event. \n\n\n\nLooking forward to debating with everyone. As always\, we are a friendly group that encourages free speech and we also respect all opinions\, within reason. This event is free of charge and all that we ask is that you honour our friends in the pub by buying at least one beverage from the bar downstairs (non-alcoholic alternatives are available). \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/religion-and-spirituality-in-the-modern-world-is-god-still-relevant/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/04/religions.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260620T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260620T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20260506T110347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T110449Z
UID:744-1781960400-1781967600@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Education in the 2020s: How we learn in the age of A.I.
DESCRIPTION:As a change to our usual schedule\, we will be doing el fresco meetups throughout the summer months\, before resuming our usual pub meetups in the autumn. \n\n\n\nThis month’s theme has been suggested by Julie Tasker\, who has worked in the education sector\, and is becoming increasingly concerned about the way in which children are being taught. \n\n\n\nDo we need to concentrate on more practical subjects for certain students? Is university necessarily the go-to option for 50% of the population? \n\n\n\nIs it time that the National Cirriculum and the entire examination system was revamped? Why are there so many S.E.N.D. schools now? \n\n\n\nIs Artificial Intelligence actually the answer? Will traditional learning techniques eventually be superseded by technology? \n\n\n\nJoin us for a relaxed debate\, and also a nice drink and snack on a summer’s day in the open air (weather permitting\, we do have a backup plan just in case). \n\n\n\nAs always\, we encourage all opinions and respect everyone’s views. Please refrain from any offensive terminology though.
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/education-in-the-2020s-how-we-learn-in-the-age-of-a-i/
LOCATION:Forest Recreational Ground Cafe\, The Homemade Cafe\, Nottingham\, NG7 6QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/05/highres_534068457.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T150000
DTSTAMP:20260602T111207
CREATED:20260602T095414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T095415Z
UID:756-1783170000-1783177200@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:America at 250. Is the Dream of Life\, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Over?
DESCRIPTION:The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on this very day. This is the day that the Declaration of Independence was drafted by the founding fathers in 1776. \n\n\n\nEven the biggest critic has to agree that America has had an extraordinary two and a half centuries. Progressing from a backwater\, primarily agricultural outpost of the British Empire\, to an industrial and military giant. \n\n\n\nThe nation’s leaders have sold the notion of ‘Life\, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ to millions of immigrants who have flocked there from places as far afield as Ireland and Russia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. \n\n\n\nThe great 1849 gold rush saw a vast expansion westwards and many Native Americans lost their lands and their culture during the relentless profiteering of this era. \n\n\n\nAmerica twice came to Europe’s aid during both World Wars. Uncle Sam then became Europe’s protector during the Cold War. \n\n\n\nSince then the nation has become the world’s principal economic and military superpower. It has dominated the global geopolitical scene being the principal funder of the World Bank\, the UN\, NATO and many other NGOs. \n\n\n\nAmerican popular culture has also been dominant through the media of music\, films and television. Then we have the F.A.N.G.S. which have hegemony of the internet\, all listed on NASDAQ and developed from start-ups in Silicon Valley \n\n\n\nHowever\, recently the American Dream and the perception of ‘Land of the Free’ has sunk to new depths of despair. The re-election of Donald J. Trump as president\, as well as the increasing multipolar political sabre-rattling has seen America lose a lot of respect. \n\n\n\nThis month we will debate this issue. So please join us and all’s we ask is that you are respectful of other people’s views\, whilst refraining from abusive language. \n\n\n\nLocation TBC \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/america-at-250-is-the-dream-of-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness-over/
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/06/stars-and-bars.jpg
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