(Scroll down for topic intro) **THE VENUE: Starbucks** It is now autumn, so we will meet indoors for the next few months. When we meet indoors, we run the same event in two locations: Caffè Nero and Starbucks, so as to provide capacity for as many people who would like to attend, without overwhelming any one venue. Thus, there will be two events published, and you can choose which one to attend. Please don't sign up for both. This event is for the Starbucks location. Note that we may combine the events if one location attracts too few signups. Look out for updates nearer the time. The locations are only 2 minutes apart. We meet upstairs at Starbucks. An organiser will be present from 10.45. We are not charged for use of the space so it would be good if everyone bought at least one drink. An attendee limit has been set so as not to overwhelm the venue. **Etiquette** Our discussions are friendly and open. We are a discussion group, not a for-and-against debating society. But it helps if we try to stay on topic. And we should not talk over others, interrupt them, or try to dominate the conversation. There is often a waiting list for places, so please cancel your attendance as soon as possible if you subsequently find you can't come. **WhatsApp groups** We have two WhatsApp groups. One is to notify events, including extra events such as meeting for a meal or a drink during the week which we don't normally put on the Meetup site. The other is for open discussion of whatever topics occur to people. If you would like to join either or both groups, please send a note of the phone number you would like to use to Richard Baron on: website.audible238@passmail.net. (This is an alias that can be discarded if it attracts spam, hence the odd words.) **THE TOPIC: Should the state try to influence our priorities?** Thank you to Richard for preparing this week's topic. Different people have different priorities. They may attach great importance to any or all of the following (and ple

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