I agree that retreat costs can vary a lot, and it’s quite possible that many retreats are cheaper today than the ones Ollie looked at. That said, the best data we currently have still suggests that retreats-as-they’ve-typically-been-run are relatively expensive per person per connection compared to larger events.
I’m very open to updating on newer or more representative data. My prior, though, is that while retreats may have become more frugal, conferences and summits have as well — EA events overall seem meaningfully leaner than they were a few years ago.
On outcomes: I don’t think I claimed that larger events produce better outcomes per person. As you note, Ollie finds those are roughly similar. My claim is instead about scale: one-day summits produce many more total positive outcomes for a similar or lower cost, largely because they involve more people and avoid subsidised travel and accommodation. (Or they should)
Given that, I would be surprised if a typical 2–3 day, fully subsidised retreat (which is the default in EA) ends up more cost-effective per person per connection than a one-day, local summit — even if some individual retreats are run quite cheaply.
Thanks for these comments!
I agree that retreat costs can vary a lot, and it’s quite possible that many retreats are cheaper today than the ones Ollie looked at. That said, the best data we currently have still suggests that retreats-as-they’ve-typically-been-run are relatively expensive per person per connection compared to larger events.
I’m very open to updating on newer or more representative data. My prior, though, is that while retreats may have become more frugal, conferences and summits have as well — EA events overall seem meaningfully leaner than they were a few years ago.
On outcomes: I don’t think I claimed that larger events produce better outcomes per person. As you note, Ollie finds those are roughly similar. My claim is instead about scale: one-day summits produce many more total positive outcomes for a similar or lower cost, largely because they involve more people and avoid subsidised travel and accommodation. (Or they should)
Given that, I would be surprised if a typical 2–3 day, fully subsidised retreat (which is the default in EA) ends up more cost-effective per person per connection than a one-day, local summit — even if some individual retreats are run quite cheaply.