Not Actual Size presents: Reality Check

It’s hardly breaking news that we’re living through a moment of change – and, wow, do we love to talk about it. For years now, the greatest hits have been on repeat: disconnection, loneliness, the impending AI apocalypse. Lately, the conversation has narrowed even further, obsessing over how to optimise for machines. Efficiency! Scale! Prompts!

But somewhere along the way, we forgot the main character: humans.

Yes, 2025 might go down as the year AI stole the spotlight, but a far more interesting plot twist is already unfolding – the renewed value of being unmistakably, imperfectly human.

By tuning in closely, we’ve spotted patterns as people quietly (and not so quietly) rebuild ways of living in the shadow of the forces shaping our time: economic uncertainty, political whiplash, relentless self-optimisation, global instability, social media saturation, constant connection to everything everywhere all at once – and, naturally, AI.

We’ll be sharing unfiltered voices and raw perspectives to explore four moods setting the tone for 2026 – embracing the contradictions, quirks and small joys that come with being human.

When

Tuesday 27th January 9am - 11.30am

Where

Mortimer House by Maslow's, 37-41 Mortimer St, London W1T 3JH

Schedule

9.00-9.30am

Coffee, nibbles and a socially acceptable amount of small talk.

9.45am

Introducing the moods shaping 2026 – unfiltered, unpolished, straight from the source.

10.30am

Panel talk: the industry POV (get ready for a few hot takes).

11.00-11.30am

More coffee, last nibbles and goodbyes.