If nothing's broken, why does it hurt?
Pain is meant to signal damage, but what if everything looks normal and it still hurts?
As science uncovers more about how the brain constructs pain, the boundary between physical and psychological discomfort is becoming less clear than we once believed. What is the nature of pain? Is it inherently surprising or unpleasant?
Come challenge your assumptions with Professor Stuart Derbyshire.
Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at National University of Singapore (NUS), Prof. Stuart has worked with imaging technologies (PET and fMRI, some EEG) for more than three decades. His work overlaps heavily with discussion on the nature of consciousness, and also abuts neural, psychological and sociological discussions on the meaning of suffering.
When asked how he decides what is worth saying or sharing, he often returns to a simple filter: “Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”.
An evening when slow bar meets reality check, we explore what pain really is, why it sometimes lingers without injury, and what this reveals about how we experience stress, threat, and the body itself. Equal parts sharing, discussion, and the occasional “wait… what do I know?”.
The Space: Mad Roaster’s Slow Bar (MRSB)
Tucked away in Redhill, MRSB is a Singaporean social enterprise founded by former lawyer Madeline Chan, creating livelihoods for refugees in Thailand.
Whether you're an advocate of human-centric living or learner of sorts, this is your chance to geek out with fellow curious humans.
Bring your listening ears, opinions, and sense of humour. We'll provide the space, the vibes, and research on a corner of the world.
Fair warning: conversations may get unexpectedly thoughtful.
Bits and Bobs
6.50pm: Doors open. Grab some bites, order a drink, and unwind.
7.20pm: Introductions. Prof Stuart takes the spotlight.
8.05pm: Thinking and/or toilet break opportunity.
8.15pm: One question, multiple perspectives. Share your story about the topic, or listen and chime in when discussions get interesting.
8.30pm: Wrap-up, mingle, and connect with fellow humans.
P.S.
Do consider using PayNow as a payment method for less processing fees on SoCrates so we can ensure the amount goes towards dinner, printing materials, platform usage, and other misc. expenses as Stripe and Luma take 12-15% of total ticket price. We hope to see you there!