Archives

24Jul/17

Movies That Matter: All the President’s Men

The film that we will be showing at this month’s movies that matter is “All the President’s Men”. The movie is based on the true events of the Watergate Scandal in 1972 and the non-fiction book by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. It is directed by Alan J. Pakula and stars Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford as Bernstein and Woodward respectively, two journalists working for the New York Times investigating the scandal.

In the run-up to the 1972 elections, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward covers what seems to be a minor break-in at the Democratic Party National headquarters. He is surprised to find top lawyers already on the defense case, and the discovery of names and addresses of Republican Party fund organizers on the accused further arouses his suspicions. The editor of the Post is prepared to run with the story, and assigns Woodward and Carl Bernstein. They follow the money trail leading higher and higher in the Republican Party, and eventually into the White House itself.

Movies That Matter is a film night hosted by The Zeitgeist Movement Sydney Chapter (TZM Sydney), in which we play one to three interesting and relevant short videos (such as animations or TED talks) followed by a short discussion, and a thought-provoking main film. The purpose is to bring us together, to promote constructive discussion, to challenge our own preconceptions and biases, and to revisit key elements of TZM’s holistic socioeconomic model (NLRBE, i.e. Natural Law/Resource Based Economy), and its philosophy and proposal.

Remember that Movies That Matter has moved to a new place and time: Lentil As Anything in Newtown, upstairs, every first Sunday of the month at 6PM. We invite you at 6PM for a social dinner while we share a chat and one or two relevant clips, followed by the feature film, which will begin at 6:55PM sharp, and finish at 9PM. We may continue the conversation after the film at the pub next to the station.

Lentil As Anything provides delicious vegan food in a convenient space in the heart of Newtown. Food and film is on donation to Lentil ($15 recommended). Looking forward to seeing you all there!

24Jul/17

FUTURE THINKERS – Critical Thinking & The Scientific Method

Future Thinkers in a monthly event where we discuss topics related to: Science, Technology, Nature and Sustainability. As you can imagine this is quite open-ended. A wide variety of topics end up being discussed. Topics we have covered in the past include: cryptocurrency & blockchain technology, environmental sustainability, internet freedom, economic inequality, universal basic income & technological unemployment, direct democracy, evolution, artificial intelligence and more!

No topic need be too sacred. No idea above questioning. The point of this meetup is not only to hang out with like minded people and have fun on a Saturday night 😉 but also to learn something new and to genuinely intellectually explore ideas. This means taking offense isn’t adequate grounds for objecting to an idea. Your ideas and worldview will be challenged. But it is all in the spirit of fun and getting closer to the truth not about being right or wrong.

Each event includes:

Presentations and videos clips on the chosen topic. This is to provide information and to stimulate discussion.

The point of the event is to have a real discourse on the chosen topic through open discussion.

If you’re getting a bit squeamish thinking this event is going to be super serious then relax it’s fun and all people and ideas are welcome. 🙂

This month’s topic is ‘Critical Thinking and the Scientific Method’.

Epistemology is the study of truth, but how do know what is true. By what methodology should we come to believe something is true? And how do we distinguish falsehood from truth?

Is there an objective truth or what is true is what most people belief?

We live in unprecedented times in many aspects, perhaps none more game changing than our access to information. Couple this with an economic system that has an inherent incentive to lie to you through advertising and a need for everyone to gain a competitive differential advantage over you economically, it is understandable why people don’t know what to believe anymore.

If you wish to participate in a riveting discussion about critical thinking and the scientific method or you just want to sit at the back and listen, Future Thinkers in on every 2nd Saturday in the Brisbane Square Library’s Theatrette (Ground Floor) starting at 2:30pm and going late into the evening ending up in a bar or restaurant.

See you there! 🙂

Thanks Aldo Donadel for suggesting this topic.

Zachary Alexander – The Zeitgeist Movement Queensland Coordinator

24Jul/17

Movies That Matter: The Corporation

This month in Movies That Matter we’re showing the acclaimed film “The Corporation“. Based on Joel Bakan’s book The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, the film is a timely, critical inquiry that invites CEOs, whistle-blowers, brokers, gurus, spies, players, pawns and pundits on a graphic and engaging quest to reveal the Corporation’s inner workings, curious history, controversial impacts and possible futures. Featuring illuminating interviews with Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Howard Zinn and many others, The Corporation charts the spectacular rise of an institution aimed at achieving specific economic goals as it also recounts victories against this apparently invincible force.

We’ve become dominated by corporations; most goods, services, information and entertainment now flow from huge multinationals. But what if this dominant player in our existence is certifiably insane? The Corporation explores this disturbing possibility with mix of wit, opinion and hard facts. It takes us through the visible “personality traits” of these business entities and shows us that, for all intents and purposes, corporations are psychopathic. The film points out that this is not an aberrant state for corporations, but rather an inherent part of their nature. It even portrays high-ranking business executives as people so caught-up in the madness of the corporate world they must act not from their own conscience, but rather from a bottom-line mentality of what is most profitable.

Movies That Matter is a film night hosted by The Zeitgeist Movement Sydney Chapter (TZM Sydney), in which we play one to three interesting and relevant short videos (such as animations or TED talks) followed by a short discussion, and a thought-provoking main film. The purpose is to bring us together, to promote constructive discussion, to challenge our own preconceptions and biases, and to revisit key elements of TZM’s holistic socioeconomic model (NLRBE, i.e. Natural Law/Resource Based Economy), and its philosophy and proposal.

Remember that Movies That Matter has moved to a new place and time: Lentil As Anything in Newtown, upstairs, every first Sunday of the month at 6PM. We invite you at 6PM for a social dinner while we share a chat and one or two relevant clips, followed by the feature film, which will begin at 6:55PM sharp, and finish at 9PM. We may continue the conversation after the film at the pub next to the station.

Lentil As Anything provides delicious vegan food in a convenient space in the heart of Newtown. Food and film is on donation to Lentil ($15 recommended). Looking forward to seeing you all there!

24Jul/17

Zeitgeist Social Night – July 2017

Join us for a social night leading up to MMTM on Saturday. This is the event to socialise with other Zeitgeisters, future thinkers and like-minded people. There will be free vegan snacks provided. Feel free to BYO drinks. Entry is free. Street and guest parking is available and the Toowong bus and train stations are handy.

24Jul/17

Monthly Movies that Matter

Come together on the 3rd Saturday of every month with Zeitgeist Movement supporters to watch an interesting and insightful movie/documentary for discussion.

Each month represents an important theme, such as education, war, politics, money, communication, technology or science.

Before the movie, we will give an update on what’s happening with the Zeitgeist Movement, some short clips leading up to the feature film, followed by a discussion and dinner at a nearby restaurant afterwards.

A great way to meet like-minded people, enjoy a movie and talk about some of the most important issues and discoveries of our time. We look forward to meeting you.