Other presenters/meeting ideas

[Jon Flynn]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if there was anyone else who was interested in
presenting on LW style topics for our meetings. It would be nice to
have a little more variety in subjects and potentially more
interesting meetings more often. With my schedule, I can pull together
a presentation about once every 2 weeks, at best. Even then, I feel
like my presentations are not as good as they could be. If someone
else feels they have something interesting to discuss (Vasya: Perhaps
cryonics?; Patrick: I think you mentioned that you have read some of
Eliezer's papers on timeless decision theory? I could be wrong).

Also, things besides presentations might be worthwhile in pursuing
again. I tried for a while, but presentations seemed to draw the most
people in. Perhaps shorter presentations, but followed up by things
like paranoid debating, boardgames, weekly goals, etc.. Let me know if
anyone has any suggestions/desires.

- Jon

[Alex Farinas]

I would love to hear a discussion on indeterminancy from various disciplinary perspectives.  I've only been able to hear one discussion so far, but from reading the Less Wrong website, it seems like this would be what we are all struggling with in our diverse disciplines.

JMTC,
Alex

** Sent from my mobile phone

[Silas Barta]

I don't know if Patrick did, but I've read and even presented on Eliezer's TDT papers.  There's a video of me somewhere presenting for the NYC LW group, though I'll only be able to make it down to Houston sporadically.

On Oct 1, 2011 3:29 PM, "Jon Flynn" <jonaf...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Vasilii Artyukhov]

Jon,

Topical variety would certainly be good. TDT is certainly interesting, especially in a broader DT context, as is anything on cognitive sciences (and your presentations so far have been very nice). I don't think I have much new to say on cryonics in particular, but I will try to think of something.

I liked paranoid debating a lot, I think we should do this more frequently.

In my view, a big problem is low attendance. Just doing weekly meetups would be good if we had more people showing up, but presently, in my view, it would be better to have 6 people bi-weekly rather than 4 (and occasionally 1) weekly. Here's a nice and simple tool for planning things like that: http://www.doodle.com/polls/wizard.html (I've created a sample poll at http://www.doodle.com/229w2ez4vpk77g35), if we could get everyone to post there regularly and responsibly, it might be easier to set up dates when enough people can attend. We could even set some sort of "quorum threshold" or something.

Best,

Vasya

[Jon Flynn]

It's been a long month for me, but I apologize for not responding to
these even though I had read them.

@ Vasya: Good idea. I'm about to post a doodle poll in a minute. I'll
be sure to plan for more paranoid debating in the future. I like it as
well.

@ Silas: Give me a heads up when you might be in town - I'd suggest
using the doodle poll that I'm about to post. Worst comes to worse, we
can always use your video. I plan on taking a trip out to Austin at
some point soon, so maybe I can catch up with the other Texas LWers
soon. Any decision on moving yet?

@ Alex: I'm not sure exactly what you mean by indeterminacy in
different fields. Could you clarify, perhaps an example from your own
field and how it differs from another field you might have some
familiarity with?

On Oct 5, 1:16 pm, Vasilii Artyukhov <darth.va...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Jon,
>
> Topical variety would certainly be good. TDT is certainly interesting,
> especially in a broader DT context, as is anything on cognitive sciences
> (and your presentations so far have been very nice). I don't think I have
> much new to say on cryonics in particular, but I will try to think of
> something.
>
> I liked paranoid debating a lot, I think we should do this more frequently.
>
> In my view, a big problem is low attendance. Just doing weekly meetups would
> be good if we had more people showing up, but presently, in my view, it
> would be better to have 6 people bi-weekly rather than 4 (and occasionally

> 1) weekly. Here's a nice and simple tool for planning things like that:http://www.doodle.com/polls/wizard.html(I've created a sample poll athttp://www.doodle.com/229w2ez4vpk77g35), if we could get everyone to post

[Silas Barta]

Sorry for not replying back sooner. I will get the video link up for my TDT talk up as soon as I find it. (I'm too scared to view it myself.)

I'm currently in limbo on moving, but some prospects are coming through. I got contacted by a SpaceX recruiter, and I've heard back from some promising placement agencies. I've set things up so I can make a move quickly (stuff boxed away, moved to a place where I don't have to give much notice to leave).

Not sure about the weekend of the 29th, as I'll be turning 30 on the 30th, and will need to work out plans with my family and the local guys in Austin. I'll keep you all posted.

Silas