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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Michigan Humanists
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TZID:America/Detroit
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250810T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250810T123000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20241230T190034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T195239Z
UID:145900-1754823600-1754829000@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) - Social Segregation
DESCRIPTION:Humans are basically social animals. However\, there are limits to our ability to maintain connections with large numbers of people based on our cognitive resources\, which can affect the amount of stress and empathy we feel in certain situations. Phil Gleason will lead the discussion of these and related phenomena such as the “small-world” network and the persistence of cultural traits from generation to generation among social groups. Here is some information from Wikipedia about the maximum size for a group of acquaintances – Dunbar’s number. This study from Psychoneuroendocrinology shows that while performing a task that requires concentration subjects show signs of stress in the presence of people who may be critical. This longer article from Nature discusses the effects of cognitive load on empathy. Finally\, this Wikipedia article talks about the “small worlds” phenomenon – that small clusters or cliques are ubiquitous in human organizations. And here’s a bonus link – a 2+ minute video about the “small worlds” phenomenon. Hope to see you there! \nCafé Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic\, followed by casual discussion. \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nAttendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism\, agnosticism\, humanism\, secularism\, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities\, such as religion\, philosophy\, social issues\, politics\, evolution\, morality\, ethics\, and psychology. \nTo access the choir room enter the building via the Fountain Street entrance. (There may be scaffolding in place due to construction\, but you can walk under it). Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor\, and follow the Michigan Humanist signs. Or ask directions from someone. The choir room is located on the left at the south end of the west hallway. \nParking information – Street parking\, if you can find it\, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday\, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you\, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged. \nCafé Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday. \n— \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/cafe-inquiry-grand-rapids-in-person-11/
LOCATION:Fountain Street Church\, 24 Fountain NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Frank Crownover and Jessica Wolin":MAILTO:cafeinquiry-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250810T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250810T150000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20241230T191904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250413T195851Z
UID:145944-1754830800-1754838000@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Living Without Religion Support Group (Grand Rapids)
DESCRIPTION:Living Without Religion is a support group for those who are recovering or have recovered from religion. These people know your struggles\, and can offer support. We will share experiences\, resources\, and solidarity to help deal with all the problems related to leaving religion and moving onward in your life. \nIf you have left your religion\, are thinking of leaving\, or would like to support others in similar situations — this is the space for you. You are not alone in your search for a secular lifestyle. Questions and stories will be shared\, friends will be made\, and discussions will be had. \nLiving Without Religion is always free and open to anyone who meets the above criteria. \nTo access the choir room enter the building via the Fountain Street entrance. (There may be scaffolding in place due to construction\, but you can walk under it). Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor\, and follow the Michigan Humanist signs. Or ask directions from someone. The choir room is located on the left at the south end of a main hallway. \nParking information – Street parking\, if you can find it\, is free on Sunday. The nearby GRCC Parking structure is free until 3 PM on Sunday\, although this is not advertised. You will need to take a ticket to enter the structure but the exit gate will be open if you leave before 3 PM. Parking is also available free for up to 2 hours in the Public Library lot for patrons. You will need to have your ticket validated in the library. If walking for any distance is a problem for you\, please contact us and we’ll see what can be arranged. \nLiving Without Religion (Grand Rapids) meets each month on the second Sunday. \n— \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/ \nContact: Randy Kuipers\, livingwithoutreligion-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org \n\n 
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/living-without-religion-support-group-grand-rapids-12/
LOCATION:Fountain Street Church\, 24 Fountain NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Randy Kuipers":MAILTO:livingwithoutreligion-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250814T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250814T200000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20241220T184047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250808T195507Z
UID:145875-1755194400-1755201600@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Skeptics in the Pub (Muskegon)
DESCRIPTION:This month’s Skeptics in the Pub (Muskegon) will be held at Liquid Assets. We’ll either be inside or outside depending on the weather and table availability. Look for our Michigan Humanists table signs! \nSkeptics in the Pub\, “Critical Thinking with a Pint\,” is an opportunity for non-theists to converse in a casual\, fun atmosphere. \nLearn more about the international Skeptics in the Pub movement at skepticsinthepub.org. (We don’t invite speakers\, but rather follow our conversations wherever they take us. For a more structured discussion\, look for Café Inquiry events on our calendar.) \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nDon’t drink? That’s okay! Many famous skeptics were teetotalers\, and there is no problem with that. \nDrinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. Science teaches us what alcohol does to the human body. \nYou will find the group at a table with little Michigan Humanists table signs. \nSkeptics in the Pub (Muskegon) meets each month on the second Thursday. \n— \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/skeptics-in-the-pub-muskegon-16/
LOCATION:Liquid Assets Cocktail and Wine Bar\, 221 W. Webster Avenue\, Muskegon\, 49440\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://eadn-wc02-6376131.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Frank Crownover":MAILTO:frankob5@comcast.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250815T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250815T210000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20250526T124006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250731T163738Z
UID:146333-1755280800-1755291600@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Skeptics in the Pub (Grand Rapids)
DESCRIPTION:This month’s Skeptics in the Pub will be held at Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits\, Kentwood. \nSkeptics in the Pub\, “Critical Thinking with a Pint\,” is an opportunity for nontheists to converse in a casual\, fun atmosphere. \nLearn more about the international Skeptics in the Pub movement at skepticsinthepub.org. (We don’t invite speakers\, but rather follow our conversations wherever they take us. For a more structured discussion\, look for Café Inquiry events on our calendar.) \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nDon’t drink? That’s okay! Many famous skeptics were teetotalers\, and there is no problem with that. \nDrinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. Science teaches us what alcohol does to the human body. \nYou will find the group at a table with little Michigan Humanists table signs. \nSkeptics in the Pub (Grand Rapids) meets each month on the third Friday. \n__________________ \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/skeptics-in-the-pub-grand-rapids-105/
LOCATION:Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits\, Kentwood\, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE\, Kentwood\, 49512
ORGANIZER;CN="Jason Pittman":MAILTO:jpittman@michiganhumanists.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250822T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250822T203000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20250526T125359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250526T125359Z
UID:146345-1755887400-1755894600@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Skeptics in the Pub (Flint)
DESCRIPTION:This months Skeptics in the Pub (Flint) will be held at Grand Blanc Tap Bar and Grill \nSkeptics in the Pub\, “Critical Thinking with a Pint\,” is an opportunity for nontheists to converse in a casual\, fun atmosphere. \nLearn more about the international Skeptics in the Pub movement at skepticsinthepub.org. (We don’t invite speakers\, but rather follow our conversations wherever they take us. For a more structured discussion\, look for Café Inquiry events on our calendar.) \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nDon’t drink? That’s okay! Many famous skeptics were teetotalers\, and there is no problem with that. \nDrinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. Science teaches us what alcohol does to the human body. \nYou will find the group at a table with little Michigan Humanists table signs. \nSkeptics in the Pub (Flint) meets each month on the fourth Friday. \n__________________ \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/skeptics-in-the-pub-flint-107/
LOCATION:Grand Blanc Tap Bar & Grill\, 3021 E. Grand Blanc Road\, Grand Blanc\, 48439\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Dean Tersigni":MAILTO:skeptics-flint@michiganhumanists.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250822T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250822T210000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20250526T130137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T113650Z
UID:146352-1755889200-1755896400@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Sci-Fi Book Club (Grand Rapids)
DESCRIPTION:Science Fiction has long been a genre which has explored Humanist values. Join us as we read and discuss everything from classic sci-fi to newly published works. For August 22nd\, we will be reading The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester. \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated. \nYou will find the group at a table with little Michigan Humanist table signs. \nSci-fi Book club (Grand Rapids) meets each month on the fourth Friday. \n_____ \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/sci-fi-book-club-grand-rapids-19/
LOCATION:Wealthy Street Bakery\, 610 Wealthy St SE\, Grand Rapids\, 49503
ORGANIZER;CN="Jason Pittman":MAILTO:jpittman@michiganhumanists.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250823T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250823T203000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20250526T124638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250730T201712Z
UID:146339-1755970200-1755981000@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Skeptics in the Pub (Detroit)
DESCRIPTION:This month’s Skeptics in the Pub will be held at Detroit Shipping Co. \nSkeptics in the Pub\, “Critical Thinking with a Pint\,” is an opportunity for nontheists to converse in a casual\, fun atmosphere. \nLearn more about the international Skeptics in the Pub movement at skepticsinthepub.org. (We don’t invite speakers\, but rather follow our conversations wherever they take us. For a more structured discussion\, look for Café Inquiry events on our calendar.) \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nDon’t drink? That’s okay! Many famous skeptics were teetotalers\, and there is no problem with that. \nDrinking skeptically means drinking responsibly. Science teaches us what alcohol does to the human body. \nYou will find the group at a table with little Michigan Humanists table signs. \n_____ \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/skeptics-in-the-pub-detroit-8/
LOCATION:Detroit Shipping Company\, 474 Peterboro St\, Detoit\, MI\, 48201\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Andrew Cyburt":MAILTO:cyburt.andrew@proton.me
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250824T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250824T123000
DTSTAMP:20260412T143405
CREATED:20241230T191117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T204136Z
UID:145922-1756033200-1756038600@www.michiganhumanists.org
SUMMARY:Café Inquiry (ONLINE) - Nuclear Power: Fission vs. Fusion
DESCRIPTION:This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.) \nFusion power is probably at least 20-30 years away – as has been the case for the past 50-60 years or so. It’s touted as eventually being able to provide clean\, practically unlimited energy. This would be great\, given that fighting climate change is going to necessitate a greater reliance on nuclear energy. But is it true that fusion power will be so much cleaner and safer than the fission power we currently use\, especially considering the cutting-edge fission reactor designs that are in development? Join us ONLINE as we discuss the pros and cons of fission vs. fusion\, as well as why we will likely need some form of nuclear power in our fight against global warming. For background\, this article from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists points out some of the potential downsides of fusion power. Also from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists\, this article takes a more positive view of the technology’s potential. Steven Novella’s Neurologica blog discusses a plan to build the first commercial fusion reactor in this article\, and the potential use of fission microreactors in this piece. Hope to see your virtual selves there! \nCafé Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic\, followed by casual discussion. \nThis event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated\, but not expected. \nAttendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism\, agnosticism\, humanism\, secularism\, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities\, such as religion\, philosophy\, social issues\, politics\, evolution\, morality\, ethics\, and psychology. \nCafé Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday. \n— \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://www.michiganhumanists.org/event/cafe-inquiry-online-14/
LOCATION:Online Meeting – Link in Event Details
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://eadn-wc02-6376131.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/22-MIHUMAN-0074-Website-and-Email-Website-event-graphicsCafe-Online_v2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Frank Crownover and Jessica Wolin":MAILTO:cafeinquiry-grandrapids@michiganhumanists.org
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