THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBLIC (TEiP) is an evolving project and community.

It was founded by Bonny Astor in February 2023, in a London pub (hence its former name: ‘Thought Experiments in Pubs’).

The pilot event attracted over 100 people…and momentum has grown from there.

TEiP’s roots reach back to Bonny’s work in prison and peer support networks.

TEiP’s future is a growing, international network of events, where people connect and open each other’s minds.

How TEiP works:

  1. We meet in nice pubs, and other public places with the same relaxed, and open spirit.

  2. We set the tone for laid-back, respectful discussions.

  3. We use thought experiments (imaginary scenarios) as conversational jumping off points. They help make abstract questions tangible and get us straight into unusual conversations.

  4. We welcome tangents, anecdotes, and edits to the original parameters.

  5. Every 25-30 minutes, we shuffle groups and move on to the next thought experiment so that there are more opportunities for connection and new ideas.

  6. Everyone is welcome. The more perspectives, the richer the conversations.

The effects:

GET UPDATES ABOUT TEiP

Join the mailing list for event updates, stories, reflections and the occasional invitation.

  • This was a fantastic interactive event. The host created a warm atmosphere for attendees. The content was delivered exactly as promised —sparking debates and challenging the way we think about life and our own morals. Engaging in discussions with adults from diverse backgrounds allowed us to explore different perspectives while also enhancing our communication skills. I would definitely attend again! Thank you for organizing such a thought-provoking event!

    Baran, Thought Experiments in Pubs Group Member

  • I had a great time, met interesting people, very enjoyable with people who have different perspectives and a shared curiosity.

    P, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • Thank you for the great event! Amazing what can come up in the conversations

    L, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • This group is a gold mine for anyone who is extremely curious and loves to deep dive into hypotheticals. It’s not about proving a point, but exploring the endless possibilities of “what if”. The community are incredibly welcoming, full of diverse individuals eager to share and listen. It’s fascinating to hear ideas that challenge your own, expanding your perspective in ways you hadn’t imagined. Bonny has done a great job of building an intellectual oasis in the centre of London every two weeks!

    Alex, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • Great host and event as always

    Nicola, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • It's been an absolute pleasure hosting Bonny for her regular gatherings at the Fitzroy Tavern. We always look forward to welcoming her Thought's Experiments in Pubs group each time, and it's been wonderful to see the strong rapport and community aspect you bring to our pub. Bonny's group is always respectful, friendly, and a joy to serve, making it easy for our team to provide excellent service. We truly appreciate Bonny's continued support and are grateful for the opportunity to be part of her regular meet ups. We look forward to many more great times together!

    Finn - Manager at THE FITZROY TAVERN

  • Very enjoyable discussions re Identity - lots of thought provoking queries. Great, per normal.

    B, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • With so many varied minds and so much interaction it was fascinating and went well beyond any conversation I have ever had in a pub - the evening was worthwhile, it was both engrossing and stimulating

    Anne, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • The perfect event for stimulating conversation and meeting people. The host was really lovely and kind

    K, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • What could be better than an evening in a pub with a group of interesting diverse people, talking and debating thought provoking subjects. This made all the better as it is run by Bonny who is warm, open and friendly. The idea that we bypass small talk which can be boring, and get to have fun sharing our thoughts and ideas but also learning as you hear other's opinions. Quite frankly well done for starting something special...the huge number of attendees speaks volumes.

    J, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • Thought Experiments in Pubs is one of my favourite groups. Bonny is a kind person who brings a lot of positive energy to all the events. She also has the strength of character to do the hard work of running a large group. Each event is well organised and there are also a number of well-run WhatsApp groups. All this means that lots of interesting people are attracted to the events. The conversations are deep, but not too earnest: the intention is to get something positive from the experience. The new, second, location is excellent as it is more central and quieter. Again Bonny has made the effort to find a sensible venue.

    Neil, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • Always a pleasure to share interesting ideas with friendly people in a warm pub setting!

    Nic, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • Very well organised and facilitated. I would recommend this event to those interested in meeting new people who want good conversation.

    Rashid, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER