I think of there being a sort of spectrum for events, ranging from fairly focused and goal-oriented on one end to fairly enjoyable, for-its-own sake on the other end. Maybe the type of events that EAs tend to organize tend to be more on one side of that (simplified) spectrum, but there isn’t anything inherent that makes it so. I suspect that a lot of people tend to focus EA events on the recruiting, upskilling, professional networking, and knowledge-sharing that is likely to have a positive expected value. I for one would be very happy to see you organize some EA events with people interested in EA ideas, getting these people in the same room, and organizing something fun for these kinds of people.
A potluck dinner, a casual picnic, a movie night, a book club, or a hike could all involve people interested in EA topics, and without putting such a focus on making the world a better place. But maybe we shouldn’t even consider those EA events, because they are just regular events that happen to be attended by a bunch of EAs? If 10 EAs go for a hike, it isn’t necessarily an “EA hike.”
Some of the less enjoyable EA events I’ve gone to were let’s practice this EA-relevant skill in order to increase our competence and network for jobs and the more enjoyable were we are a bunch of EAs who want to hang out and play frisbee/talk about relationships/do some activity for fun & enjoyment. I do think that there is a place for structured, outcome-focused events for the EA community, but I don’t want 95% of events to be like that. Maybe 60%? Maybe 40%?
Informal and rambling thoughts:
I think of there being a sort of spectrum for events, ranging from fairly focused and goal-oriented on one end to fairly enjoyable, for-its-own sake on the other end. Maybe the type of events that EAs tend to organize tend to be more on one side of that (simplified) spectrum, but there isn’t anything inherent that makes it so. I suspect that a lot of people tend to focus EA events on the recruiting, upskilling, professional networking, and knowledge-sharing that is likely to have a positive expected value. I for one would be very happy to see you organize some EA events with people interested in EA ideas, getting these people in the same room, and organizing something fun for these kinds of people.
A potluck dinner, a casual picnic, a movie night, a book club, or a hike could all involve people interested in EA topics, and without putting such a focus on making the world a better place. But maybe we shouldn’t even consider those EA events, because they are just regular events that happen to be attended by a bunch of EAs? If 10 EAs go for a hike, it isn’t necessarily an “EA hike.”
Some of the less enjoyable EA events I’ve gone to were let’s practice this EA-relevant skill in order to increase our competence and network for jobs and the more enjoyable were we are a bunch of EAs who want to hang out and play frisbee/talk about relationships/do some activity for fun & enjoyment. I do think that there is a place for structured, outcome-focused events for the EA community, but I don’t want 95% of events to be like that. Maybe 60%? Maybe 40%?