The next monthly discussion meetup is next Saturday, April 4 @ 2 PM (see below for location etc.). We’ll be discussing the effects and costs of metrics in various contexts, including what we value in life and in varios institutions, as well as how we can use metrics more effectively.

We suggest some readings/podcasts below that offer background and a few perspectives. As usual, you are welcome to come regardless of how much of the reading you do ahead of time.

Please feel free to come even if you’re worried it will be awkward, you won’t fit in, or you aren’t the “typical person who comes to a Rationality meetup.” We are welcoming (albeit occasionally argumentative)!

READINGS/MEDIA

Derek Thompson’s interview with C. Thi Nguyen on his new book “The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s Game”: https://www.derekthompson.org/p/how-metrics-make-us-miserable
- The following podcast covers similar ground with some differences: “The Gamification of Our World with C. Thi Nguyen” on “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gamification-of-our-world-with-c-thi-nguyen/id1382983397
An Econtalk podcast episode interviewing Jerry Z. Muller about his 2018 book “The Tyranny of Metrics”: https://www.econtalk.org/jerry-muller-on-the-tyranny-of-metrics/
An Aeon Magazine article by David Spiegelhalter entitled “Citizens need to know numbers”: https://aeon.co/essays/good-citizenship-depends-on-basic-statistical-literacy

DATE & LOCATION

Date: Saturday, 4/4 @ 2–4:30pm (roughly)
Location: South Loop Strength & Conditioning – upstairs in the mezzanine
645 S Clark
Chicago IL 60605
Note: Todd owns this gym so that’s why there’s a Rationality meetup at a gym