Edge.org

Edge stands apart from groups like the Algonquin Roundtable or the Bloomsbury Group, yet it provides a similar level of intellectual exploration. A closer comparison might be the early Invisible College from the seventeenth century, which laid the groundwork for the Royal Society. This group included notable scientists such as Robert Boyle, John Wallis, and Robert Hooke, all united by their goal of gaining knowledge through hands-on experimentation. In 1996, Edge.org was established as the digital extension of "The Reality Club," a casual assembly of thinkers that convened from 1981 to 1996 in various locations, including Chinese restaurants, artist lofts, and even the Board Rooms at Rockefeller University and the New York Academy of Sciences. While the meetings now take place online, the essence of The Reality Club continues through vibrant discussions on contemporary ideas that spark debate and engagement today.