Formerly Real Talk Philosophy · est. 2017

Our story

It started in Hanoi in 2017 with one rule: come argue in good faith, leave a little less sure than you came.

Why we exist

A room where being wrong is allowed

Most places reward you for already knowing the answer. Thought Jam rewards the opposite — the question you haven't resolved, the belief you're not sure you can defend, the argument you'd lose to your smartest friend.

We pick one big topic, present every side honestly, and then get out of the way so the room can think out loud. No experts on pedestals. No verdict at the end. Just the beliefs that tear us apart, taken apart together.

How we got here

2017

Founded in Hanoi on March 3, 2017 as the Hanoi Philosophy Forum. One topic, one room, one night at a time.

2020

Rebranded to Real Talk Philosophy and went global — chapters across Asia, and online through the pandemic.

2024

237 events, 8,488 guests, and 12 chapters — from Harare to Singapore to Koh Phangan.

2026

Real Talk Philosophy becomes Thought Jam. 238 gatherings and 8,800 guests — and counting.

“The goal was never to agree. It was to disagree better.”
— the house rule

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