International Generalist Day — London: a silent walk across the city
A silent walk across London
On the evening of Wednesday 16th of September 2026 (International Generalist Day!) twelve of us are going to walk across London without saying a word to each other.
We'll meet at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park at 5pm. After saying hello, we'll stop talking, and we won't start talking again till we reach our destination ninety minutes later.
We'll walk roughly 3.7 miles through Hyde Park, down Exhibition Road, over Albert Bridge and into Battersea Park. There'll be no conversation, no mobile phones, and you won't need to navigate as I'll be leading the way 🙋♂️
We'll end our walk at the Pear Tree Café by the boating lake in Battersea Park, sit down with some food and drinks, and talk properly for the first time.
This is one of more than 80 generalist-themed meetups happening in over 30 countries on this very day 🌍
Why the silence?
I once did a walk like this when I was an art student. A tutor made us walk from Brixton to King's Cross without speaking. I thought it would be tedious and awkward, but it turned out to be a profound experience. I saw a side of London I'd never seen, and I had a couple of hours alone with my own thoughts for the first time in ages.
It's this combination of silence, a destination, and zero responsibility for navigation that gives your mind permission to slow down and to wander. I thought this would be a nice tonic in a city as demanding as London.
Why this route?
We start at Speakers' Corner, which is the last place in London where anyone can stand up and say anything to anybody.
We'll then walk in silence southbound, passing along Exhibition Road. This road only exists because Prince Albert wanted to unite the arts and the sciences (rather than keep them apart) and he used the profits from the Great Exhibition to build a museum of design, a museum of the natural world, a museum of science, a concert hall AND an engineering college together on a single street!
This embracing of multiple disciplines also felt appropriate for the generalist community.
What we'll do after the walk
Once we've settled down in the Pear Tree Café, we'll get to know each other, grab some food and drink, and each respond to the following prompt:
Tell us about a project, a relationship, an environment or a role where you felt most able to be a generalist. A time you felt vindicated for it, celebrated for it, when you were properly in your generalist element.
My hope is that by hearing 12 stories of generalists thriving, you'll walk away feeling inspired, optimistic and accepted, and have an expanded sense of the conditions you should be looking for in your work.
Why only 12 places?
People who study gatherings for a living keep landing on the same handful of "sweet spot" numbers, and 12 is one of them. Priya Parker, who wrote The Art of Gathering (highly recommend), says a group of 12 is still small enough to build trust but large enough to be dynamic and surprising.
So there are 11 places (plus me) and then a waiting list. I'd much rather this was intimate than sprawling.
⚠️ Please do me a favour? If you sign up and then find you can't make it, please take yourself off the list so that somebody else can have your place. With a group this small, an empty space is noticeable.
What to expect on the day
3.7 miles on foot, roughly ninety minutes, paved the whole way with no steep climbs. No talking and no phones while we're walking
Sunset is at 7.11pm, so we'll cross Albert Bridge at a magical time of day (and may even see some starling murmurations 🐦⬛)
Food and drink at Pear Tree Cafe are on you. There are vegetarian and vegan options
Please wear shoes you can comfortably walk four miles in, and bring a bottle of water and a layer for keeping warm afterwards
If the forecast is unwalkably awful, I'll be in touch with alternative plans, but assume it goes ahead even in wind and rain ☔️
But wait, what is a "generalist"?
Generalist World defines a generalist as a professional who applies their skills across several domains, connects disparate ideas easily, or serves as a translator between different teams and disciplines.
If you've ever felt like your career doesn't fit in a single box, or you find it hard to answer the question "what do you do?", then this community, this day and this walk is for you.
Or maybe you don't recognise yourself as a generalist at all, but you're curious about this community and would like to learn more.
You are ALL welcome.
You don't need to be a member of Generalist World to attend.
About your host
My name's Harrison. I coach, consult and write on Substack under the name Creative Thought Partner, mostly helping people find work that's meaningful to them.
Before that I spent ten years in construction. I then went to art school, which completely changed my life. I've since had a tech-for-good startup, travelled non-stop for four years, and gotten into writing, coaching and AI consulting.
I want to host this event, selfishly, to get closer to other generalists. But I also want to give back, facilitate opportunities and help you to find the others 🌀
If you've got any questions about this event, don't hesitate to get in touch, I'm happy to help.
Otherwise, sign up now and I'll see you on the 16th 🗺️
This meetup is run by Harrison Moore and organised by Generalist World - the community where generalists belong. You'll find everything you need to grow in your career - support, opportunity, lots of learning and great new connections.
Please note, you do not need to be a member of GW to join a meetup, everyone is welcome
For questions and queries, you can contact us at admin@generalist.world