(Not specifically a reply to you, but it feels weird replying to myself. Just some brainstorming.)
Well, there’s a Virtual Meetup, but that’s video-based. I find that very intimidating, so I’d be interested in something less real-time.
I liked the idea of regular checkups (related talk), so maybe something mail-based like that might work. Incidentally, I recently bought a Zeo and it comes with some basic coaching. They regularly send you mail, helping you come up with some meaningful goals, asking you about your progress and so on. I really enjoyed that and it helped me track my sleep consistently so far.
I’ll think about that more and maybe start something myself.
Thinking out loud: If the issue is simply video, one could pretty easily run an IRC meetup. It has the advantage of still being somewhat “real time” and thus something you could block out an hour or two for a weekly “meetup.”
If you want to avoid real-time entirely, then a forum or mailing list ought suffice. I’d point out that LessWrong is already effectively a forum, so I think you’d get a lot less out of this.
All of these, including the video conference, probably also run in to scaling issues unless you have a very good organizer and a crowd willing to go along with it. I’d expect small groups of 3-6, splintering as needed, would probably be best?
I suppose mostly it depends on what you’re looking to get out of it, and why the main LessWrong site doesn’t suffice.
Well, there’s a Virtual Meetup, but that’s video-based
So far most of them have been voice-based. I’ll also add that I’m the kind of person who’s typically intimidated by the idea of discussing things in realtime (I feel like I don’t generate points or counterpoints fast enough most of the time), but I’ve found the virtual meetups to be worthwhile and non-intimidating.
I’ll second the interest in some form of online community / meet-up, and feel a bit silly for not thinking of the idea previously :)
(Not specifically a reply to you, but it feels weird replying to myself. Just some brainstorming.)
Well, there’s a Virtual Meetup, but that’s video-based. I find that very intimidating, so I’d be interested in something less real-time.
I liked the idea of regular checkups (related talk), so maybe something mail-based like that might work. Incidentally, I recently bought a Zeo and it comes with some basic coaching. They regularly send you mail, helping you come up with some meaningful goals, asking you about your progress and so on. I really enjoyed that and it helped me track my sleep consistently so far.
I’ll think about that more and maybe start something myself.
Thinking out loud: If the issue is simply video, one could pretty easily run an IRC meetup. It has the advantage of still being somewhat “real time” and thus something you could block out an hour or two for a weekly “meetup.”
If you want to avoid real-time entirely, then a forum or mailing list ought suffice. I’d point out that LessWrong is already effectively a forum, so I think you’d get a lot less out of this.
All of these, including the video conference, probably also run in to scaling issues unless you have a very good organizer and a crowd willing to go along with it. I’d expect small groups of 3-6, splintering as needed, would probably be best?
I suppose mostly it depends on what you’re looking to get out of it, and why the main LessWrong site doesn’t suffice.
So far most of them have been voice-based. I’ll also add that I’m the kind of person who’s typically intimidated by the idea of discussing things in realtime (I feel like I don’t generate points or counterpoints fast enough most of the time), but I’ve found the virtual meetups to be worthwhile and non-intimidating.
Sounds good. I will re-consider joining the virtual meetup.