REMINDER: SUNDAY WEEKLY ZOOM - December 21, 2025 -12:30 PM EDT - Ancient Text Study: De Rerum Natura by Lucretius (starting up at Line 80) -- Meeting is open to Level 03 members and above.
Just a thought: With all the new meetings, I'd suggest trying to make the 20th "special" and not just *another* online meeting. That date is literally the connection to the Ancient Epicurean community. I don't have any ideas currently on making it special, just raising the point for discussion.
I agree and was thinking the same last night
What are the possibilities for "special"?
Specially prepared online readings like Kalosyni did last time?
Let's throw out and list some possibilities because it's hard to say where to start.
I think all of us agree that we don't want to tend toward "cultish" in any way, but there ought to be ways to be "inspirational" without being cultish.
In terms of "special readings" it would probably be "fair use" to play relatively short excepts from the Charleton Griffin reading of Lucretius, so that is one source of special material that would not take a lot of preparation, as we can easily identify especially important passages from Lucretius and listen to him if we don't have time to prepare a version ourselves.
That's an example - what are other options?
I wouldn't advocate for something pre-recorded. People can watch/listen on their own for those.
The 20th it seems to me was/is about openness, community, welcoming, learning, and joyful celebration.
I'd keep those keywords in mind for this discussion in how to structure the 20th.
To be honest, all the new meetings remind me (and just me, this is VERY subjective) like church attendance at Bible Study and Youth Group and Fellowship Meeting and Wednesday Service... And if you don't or can't attend, you're not a good church member.
Again, this is just me and I KNOW that was never the intention of scheduling all these. It was to increase opportunities for attendees. I just felt obligated to throw this into the mix.
PS. While I suppose I can see the humor in this initial post (Thanks, Kalosyni ), I feel I should be frank in sharing I did not intend it that way. I *do* hope people will see the various virtual opportunities *as* opportunities to interact with others curious about Epicurus's philosophy. However, I can see (speaking from my perspective) how some might see the plethora of "meetings" as overwhelming or off-putting. "Do I have to attend *all* of these?" asks the curious newcomer? No, of course not! But I would just caution how they may be perceived. Two meetings a week + once a month? That can add up.
If anyone feels I'm way off-base, please feel free to let me know.
That's a legitimate concern and something we need to consider in the mix, but you are right that the goal is opportunities for friendship and we need to think creatively.
Maybe the biggest issue is that the nature of the world is that people thrive best in groups for protection and for happiness, and the need for that is at least as much today as inn the ancient world.
like church attendance at Bible Study and Youth Group and Fellowship Meeting and Wednesday Service
But I think as Epicureans -- there is no "guilting" for not attending -- we know that what ever we do is chosen for the fun and enjoyment of it. So there is never any obligation to do anything.
I still say we need an "Epicurean Happy Hour" meeting -- or an "Epicurean Fun Hour" -- maybe I will decide to start one up in the future. 
Maybe the biggest issue is that the nature of the world is that people thrive best in groups for protection and for happiness, and the need for that is at least as much today as in the ancient world.
Yes, this is especially important for people who are self-employed and/or live alone.
And also the most enjoyable time we have with others is with those with like-minded attitudes -- as possibly a greater likelihood of giving and receiving genuine empathy and encouragement.
Also, there is Covid, which has changed things, and there are less in-person meetings/events. I notice when I click on websites to see what is happening, and there are a certain number of businesses or events that haven't yet gotten back up and running again. And I see in the news that cases are going up again. In my own family several people dealing with a persistent cough. Hopefully it is all much more mild, and stays mild and easily recoverable.
