Stoicism

[close] In this rapidly changing world, a growing number of people feel out of touch and alienated from the events taking place around them. They feel hopeless and doomed to play out lives of quiet confusion, existing as mere components of machines much larger then themselves. They struggle to find a sense of meaning in their personal life, a life that is now full of distractions constantly vying for their attention and by extension the most precious thing that we all have - our time. This group is about motivating people to spend their time more wisely by reading books that contain within them the seeds of personal growth and greater clarity. My hope is to cultivate a positive space here where insights can be shared and progress celebrated. Wherever you are along the journey towards self-actualization and inner peace, I wish you the best of luck - and if you're one of the rare few who's made it there please come and tell us how you did it!

[close] This group is for readers, writers, and thinkers who believe the stories we tell—and the ones we’ve forgotten—shape the world we live in. We gather to explore erased histories, challenge limiting narratives, and reimagine what equality truly means. At the heart of this group is a living philosophy: Equality Without Distinction The belief that every contribution holds value—not because of a person’s gender, background, or status, but because of what they bring to the table. It’s not about labels. It’s about contribution. We’re not here to tick boxes or flatten differences. We’re here to rethink the systems that still define people by categories rather than capabilities. We look at the past not just to learn, but to ask better questions: What was lost when balance gave way to hierarchy? Whose voices were buried beneath the dominant story? What would it look like to build a future that honours every contribution? If you’re tired of shallow conversations about progress… If you’re curious about what equality can be beyond quotas and tokenism… If you believe real change starts with honest, thoughtful discussion… Welcome. The next chapter is ours to write—together.

[close] Welcome to Matthew P. Calder’s Book Club! I’m excited to invite you on a personal and philosophical journey through our new book club. Together, we’ll explore a wide range of themes, including philosophy, personal growth, history, and how we navigate the complexities of our world. Every two weeks, I’ll introduce a new book for us to read and discuss, starting on October 14th. This book club is open to everyone, and you’re welcome to participate however it suits you—join in for every book or move in and out as you like. We’ll have discussions on Reddit and share updates on Instagram, so feel free to connect with us there: • Join the discussion on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/JourneyofThought/s/vXomVL2xSq • Follow updates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAydM-ZxlTK/?igsh=MXRtcjI5NTU3bTdqdQ== Let’s learn, grow, and explore together. I look forward to seeing you on this journey!

[close] About the Group Welcome! We’re a Vancouver-based reading crew for people who love the classics and want to read them in a friendly, low-pressure way. We rotate between plays (Shakespeare & friends), classic novels (Tolstoy, Austen, Ibsen, etc.), and a monthly Harvard Classics Coffee Club pick (short, actionable reads like Ben Franklin’s Autobiography). Think: big ideas, zero academic gatekeeping. Who this is for Readers who want thoughtful conversation without homework police People curious about “the great books” and how they apply to real life Vancouver locals who may meet in person—non-Vancouver readers still welcome to join threads and chats How we read 1–2 selections per month (mix of short plays, short stories, essays, or manageable chunks of longer books) Discussion threads open a week before meetups with prompts + key quotes In-person meetups (cafés / library rooms) when possible, plus ongoing online chats “Come even if you didn’t finish”—we’ll post summaries and passages Typical Picks Plays: Twelfth Night, A Doll’s House, Death of a Salesman Novels/Novellas: Hadji Murat, The Stranger, Jane Eyre (selections welcome) Harvard Classics: Franklin, Emerson essays, Marcus Aurelius selections, Montaigne, Plato dialogues (short!) Why join Because classics don’t have to be stuffy. We read to think better, live better, and have great conversations—with a warm, curious crowd.