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Hi, yes, at least one of the main ideas was to find out more about books one might want to read, from people who have read them: to share experiences around common interests. It so happened that I printed the books just before someone posted more, but it doesn't have to be limited to talking about the ones (printed) at https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/33540495?page=1&shelf=printed&view=covers
If weather forecasts seem rainy, we'll probably meet at the lobby of http://www.musiikkitalo.fi/en in which case I'll announce the change tomorrow. True about the map though!
My feeling is that this shouldn't end up being demanding in any way; if some people want to talk about some technical books they've all read, then they can take a separate table, but mostly we'll just wonder about/around books spread as cards on the table and see what leads to interesting associations. I recommend browsing the Goodreads shelf of printed books and to why-not consider joining at least if you'd be interested in hearing or talking about any of them, as probably many of them are at least somehow familiar to participants. (Based on the Facebook event, I expect at most 10 people will attend.)
About 11 people were in Takkakabinetti in Otaniemi. The introduction to Lojban led to many questions. There was some describing of LW as there were many first-timers. Post-Lojban conversation included a lot of talking about ethics, particularly utilitarianisms.
About 12 people split in smaller groups to discuss strategic thinking. Topics included describing long and medium-term goals, whether you'd thought about them (or of ways to solve problems you'd had) recently, and what kind of systems people had had for creating and maintaining habits. We regrouped many times, switching tables to hear what others had came up with. Half of the people went to Kaisla after that.
13 people met in Kaisla. Due to unclear distribution of organizing responsibilities, no exercises were actually tried, but we did look at some materials. Split into smaller groups later in the park, which at least in my experience resulted in increased activity.
Some had tried more active self-quantifying since the QS meet and noticed at least temporary benefits. Discussed habit formation, self-rewarding, and social pressure (through sharing). Shared experiences on comfort zone expansion.
Also discussed/mentioned:
- Resolving conflicts in relationships.
- Changing variables in some mental simulation while observing what kind of scenario would surprise you, and why.
- Value of Information.
- Nonviolent Communication.
- Speed reading.
- Prediction markets.
- Personal problem solving meetups.
- Emotions that lack accurate translations between languages.
- "Humans are not automatically strategic"
- "Self-Improvement or Shiny Distraction: Why Less Wrong is anti-Instrumental Rationality"
- "Less Wrong NYC: Case Study of a Successful Rationalist Chapter"
- The LW meetup guide
- http://xkcd.com/1205/
Eventually 14 people attended. After some time spent in the park (with birds yelling at the ground), we moved on to Helsinki Music Centre. Whole meetup lasted a little under five hours.
Topics discussed included at least the intended studying, as well as Quantified Self, meditation, online habits and anonymity, and Friendly AI. Some were also interested in starting a local study group.
Many had studied Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science, which might have played part in them being recommended for people interested in learning transferable general problem-solving skills. For width, many agreed that textbooks are awesome; for depth, Mathematics and Physics were considered good starting points for the more polymathically-minded. As 'fields that teach you meta-skills' were promoted also at least Psychology and Economics. Generally, Physics and Programming were considered to be quite practical and good-to-know, training thinking that transfers also to other areas.
About 14 people attended the library room presentation and discussion on Quantified Self.
Most also had a few hours of more casual conversation in Kaisla afterwards.