“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.” ~ Robert Heinlein
Do you think Mr. Heinlein could do all this stuff? I don't think he could. I most certainly can't.
I think he could. Remember, he was a lieutenant in the navy, and a lifetime is enough to pick up most of those skills (although I suppose it might be hard to prove that you could plan an invasion or die gallantly). Certainly most of the people here could change a diaper, plan a building, write a (bad) sonnet, take & give orders, pitch manure, program a computer, and cook a tasty meal.
In celebration of the virtues of applied rationality, Less Wrong is going to Burning Man! And because Heinlein rationalists should win, Bayes Camp is going to be the most awesome place there.
A bunch of people from SingInst/Less Wrong will be descending upon the desert, bedecked as the members of the Bayesian Conspiracy. Kevin, Jasen, JustinShovelain, Peter de Blanc, Michael Vassar and Nick Tarleton, among others, will be there. If you'd like to stop by, say so in the comments!
We'll be at 6:50, F, and should be there from Monday 30th.
Please note: Burning Man is serious stuff, and if you don’t think you’re up to the desert, you shouldn’t come. Either way, read the survival guide.
EDIT: updated location