It’s been a while since we did this one! One test of your skill as a rationalist is how seldom you are surprised. In this meetup, we’ll share stories of times when our model did not quite predict something and so we were, in fact surprised. Then we’ll discuss: was that a one-off, or did […]

This week we’re running a workshop for meetup topic ideas. Unlike our previous brainstorming session, this one is focused on topics that YOU could run during the Saturday meetup. Something from your professional experience, a hobby interest, or something that piqued your fancy. Anything that you think could interest the group and that you’d want

Another check-in on your calibration level! See whether you can estimate values for a 50% confidence interval and be right 50% of the time (hopefully not more or less). Questions will be drawn from Wits and Wagers cards (e.g. “How many cars were registered in the US in 1920?”) *** The meetup is at Central Market, 4001

Can you believe it’s coming up on 10 years since its publication? Scott Alexander’s “I can tolerate anything but the outgroup” is regarded as a classic of the blog, and a frequent point of contention with his critics. Let’s discuss the article at the meetup and share what insights you took away. *** The meetup

As announced previous by email, we’ll elect a new committee for deciding member bans at this Saturday’s meetup. To reiterate the rules: 1) You may vote as long as you are willing to serve on the committee (or served on this past one). 2) We will use approval voting, so vote for everyone whom you trust to

Twitter (X.com) is an awesome networking and information platform—especially for people in rat and rat-adjacent spheres—that you probably aren’t using to its fullest. This week we’ll discuss Twitter basics, social norms for rat-adjacent communities, and best practices for using Twitter effectively, including: What to do with Twitter (figuring out your goals). How (and why) to

Let’s discuss the future impacts of AI. What is likely to change as the result of the current pace of progress? Will economic growth measurably increase over historic norms? Will large demographics be put out of work? Will inequality increase? Will creative professions successfully incorporate AI or be obviated? What parallels to past technological impacts

Let’s just chat about general rationalist topics. Also, while we were generally spared a disaster this time, we can use this meetup to talk about the recent freezing weather, in light of the advice this group generated. *** The meetup is at Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar, in the cafe area. Look for the LW

Do you have anything that might be useful to your fellow rationalists, but is just gathering dust right now?  This is your chance to find a loving home for it! We’ll use the meetup to give away, sell, or trade stuff that group members might be interested in. So bring anything you think someone else

With the new year, comes our chance to set resolutions! Share your goals for the year, and also tap into a community of people who can help point you in the right direction with their group debugging skills. “The native hue of resolution is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought” — Hamlet ***