PLEASE NOTE: START TIME IS 3:30 PM. For some reason it's displaying incorrectly.

The next meetup for Less Wrong Melbourne will be on Saturday 8th October 2016. Turn up at 3:30pm to socialise, and we start at 4pm sharp.

THIS WEEK: A Bayesian Guide on how to read a Scientific Paper - with Mark Harrigan.

This talk will provide a guide on how to successfully read and make sense of a published Scientific Paper in the peer reviewed literature, regardless of your discipline expertise. It includes a Bayesian guide to assessing the probability that the conclusions of the paper are credible and a step by step guide outlining how to approach reading, understanding and assessing the conclusions.

It won't make you an instant expert in a field where you don't have much experience, nor will it guarantee that you will spot faulty science - but it will improve your skills in understanding how published science is presented and improve your ability to weigh the credibility of its conclusions.

DINNER AFTERWARDS: At about 6:30pm some of us generally head for dinner in the CBD, and you are welcome to join us.

WHEN: Saturday 8th October, 3:30pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. Level 1, Room 1. (The room will be noted in a sign on the front door.) If you have any trouble finding the venue or getting in, text or call Chris on 0439 471 632. For the greatest convenience, prompt service and general awesomeness, please arrive around 3:30pm.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?: The Less Wrong Melbourne Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth. We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're "aspiring rationalists" and always open to learn.

The next meetup for Less Wrong Melbourne (other than the social dinner on 3rd Sept) will be Saturday 10th September. Turn up at 3:30pm to socialise, because we start at 4pm sharp.

This month we're having lightning talks on various stimulating and intellectually challenging topics. We still have a couple of spots, so if you'd like to give a short talk (around 5 min) please leave a comment. Tentative topics so far include:

• An equation for global carbon emissions and what it tells us about mitigation options.
• Emergence - Eliezer doesn't believe in it, but is there a case for it?
• Telomeres and longevity.

We'll finish with some strategic self-improvement options (none of which involve walking across breaking boards with your bare hands or being asked to chant). At about 6:30pm some of us will probably head for dinner in the CBD, and you are welcome to join us.

WHEN: Saturday 10th September, 3:30pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. Level 3 (Jenny Florence Room). If you have any trouble finding the venue or getting in, text or call Chris on 0439 471 632. For the greatest convenience, prompt service and general awesomeness, please arrive around 3:30pm.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?: The Less Wrong Melbourne Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth. We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're "aspiring rationalists" and always open to learn.

Less Wrong Melb: Social dinner

Catch up and have stimulating conversation over dinner. Also, Tim Josling from Less Wrong Sydney is in Melbourne.

WHEN: Saturday 3rd Sept, Turn up for 6, aiming for 6:30 pm. Or whenever you get there.

Until the stars fade and we watch the sun come up. Or maybe until dessert. Depends on available energy.

WHERE: Naked for Satan (but wear clothes) 285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

CONTACT: If you have trouble finding us, call or text Chris 0439 471 632. (FB messages may or may not be noticed promptly.)

The next rationality dojo for Less Wrong Melbourne will be next Sunday, 7 August.

Turn up at 3:30pm to socialise, because we start at 4pm sharp.

NOTE: We are meeting Sunday this month, and we're in a different room. We'll make it easy to find.

We watch some Pinker, read some Orwell and discuss, in a bid to undertand how language shapes our thinking.

We'll finish with some strategic self-improvement options (none of which involve walking across breaking boards with your bare hands or being asked to chant).

At about 6:30pm some of us will probably head for dinner in the CBD, and you are welcome to join us.

WHEN: Sun 7 August, 3:30pm to 6:30pm

WHERE: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. Ground Floor, past the front desk near the back. Rather than the right hand door where we usually go in, it will be easiest to enter via the main door on the left.

If you have any trouble finding the venue or getting in, text or call Chris on 0439 471 632. For convenience and prompt service, please arrive before 4 pm - that also gives us more chance to catch up before things start.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?: The Less Wrong Melbourne Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth. We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're "aspiring rationalists" and always open to learn.

[3:30pm to socialise, 4pm to start.]

In our July Dojo we look at Soldier Mindset and Scout Mindset – being a partisan advocate for your side versus genuinely seeking for understanding. This includes watching a TED talk by Julia Galef (www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD5WxbIKMXw), some brief reading material and lively discussion groups.

We'll finish with some strategic self-improvement (with some options, none of which involve walking across hot coals or being forced to cry).

At about 6:30pm some of us will probably have dinner in the CBD, and you are welcome to join us.

WHERE: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. Level 4, Room 4.1, Hayden Raysmith Room. (Just this month we're in a different room.)

If you have any trouble finding the venue or getting in, text or call Chris on 0439 471 632. For the greatest convenience and most prompt service, please arrive before 4 pm - that also gives us more chance to catch up before things start.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?: The Less Wrong Melbourne Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth. We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're all "aspiring rationalists".

Dojos are usually held on the first Saturday of each month, so you may wish to add that as a recurring event in your calendar.

[3:00pm arrival and 3:30pm start of scheduled activities.]

For our May Dojo we have a choice of discussion groups, consisting of: - Imposter syndrome (facilitated by Eike) - Ways that words can be wrong (facilitated by James)

... and possibly a third topic, depending on numbers and interest.

This is followed by "Debugging". Get help troubleshooting your goals, help someone else, or (if you prefer) work on something by yourself.

The Dojo will run until about 6pm, after which you are welcome to join us for dinner.

WHERE: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. Level 3 (Jenny Florence Room). If you have any trouble finding the venue or getting in, text or call Chris on 0439 471 632. For the greatest convenience and most prompt service, please arrive before 3:30pm.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?: The Less Wrong Melbourne Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth. We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're all "aspiring rationalists".

Dojos are currently being held on the first Saturday of each month, so you may wish to add that as a recurring event in your calendar.

[3:00pm arrival and, 3:30pm start of scheduled activities.]

For our May Dojo we have a choice of discussion groups:

• Ways of knowing. How do we think about sense, reason, authority and intuition.
• The hot cold empathy gap. It can be surprisingly hard to understand our future self.
• Rules of discourse. Make your conversations more enlightening, and less like YouTube comment threads.

This is followed by Debugging your problems. Get help troubleshooting your goals, help someone else, or (if you prefer) work on something by yourself.

The Dojo will run until about 6pm, after which you are welcome to join us for dinner.

WHERE: Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. Level 3 (Jenny Florence Room). If you have any trouble finding the venue or getting in, text or call Chris on 0439 471 632. For greatest convenience and prompt service, please arrive before 3:30pm.

ABOUT: The Less Wrong Melbourne Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth. (They are currently being held on the first Saturday of each month, so you may wish to add that as a recurring event in your calendar.)

Less Wrong Melbourne's Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions based on the art of rationality. We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're all "aspiring rationalists".

PLEASE NOTE THE TIME AND VENUE. (We're experimenting with different times and locations. So, it's in the first Saturday, at 2:00pm, in the Bull & Bear pub (downstairs where we sometimes have our socials).

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

This month, we have...

"The Singularity – What is the Intelligence Explosion?" – with Adam Ford.

Then two lightning talks: * Eike on "Gamifying your to do list" * Letian on "Go: a player's perspective on the game and Alpha Go" (Alpha Go referring to the victory of computer over human in the game of Go)

And a few other things including a goals exercise.

We finish at 5pm, and you are welcome to join us for dinner nearby.

WHEN: Saturday 2 April, 2:00pm arrival, 2:30pm start.

WHERE: The Bull & Bear, 347 Flinders Ln, Melbourne

DIRECTIONS: On the South side of the lane, between Elizabeth and Queen. Down one flight of stairs.

Hope to see you there!

PLEASE NOTE THE TIME AND VENUE. (We're experimenting with different times, and different locations while the weather is warm. So, Saturday, 2:30pm, and in the park near the NGV. See below.)

Less Wrong Melbourne's Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions based on the art of rationality.

We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality, however far you've progress so far. We're all "aspiring rationalists".

We have copies of Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (aka HPMOR) to give away to anyone who'd like one. (First 17 chapters in hard copy, the rest free online.)

WHAT"S HAPPENING:

This month, we have...

"A deep dive into Effective Altruism" – discussion moderated by Andrew Bird.

Then two lightning talks: * "Gamifying your to do list." – Eike Germann * "Radical or Reasonable? A medical and life extension science game changer?" – Mark Harrigan

And a few other things including a goals exercise.

And about 6pm, some of us will have dinner nearby.

WHEN: Saturday 5 March, 2:30pm arrival, 3:00pm start.

WHERE: The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda. Linlithgow Ave, Melbourne. https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Janet+Lady+Clarke+Rotunda/@-37.822314,144.972208,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x6315345fa59c9740?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMrcfHlNHKAhWHUqYKHQKdAU8Q_BIIZTAK The rotunda will offer some protection from the elements, but the weather is expected to be mild and pleasant.

Directions: It's in the park lands directly opposite the NGV in St Kilda Road, about 300m from the NGV tram stop. Behind the statue of a king on a horse. Walking distance from Flinders Street Station. (There is a drinking fountain and a toilet nearby, if needed.)

Contingency: If the rotunda is preoccupied by another group, we will be on the grass near the rotunda. If the whole area has been taken over by a wedding party, deadly snakes, children or orcs, we may move over the road, or away from the road near the lake. If you have any trouble finding us, call one of us, e.g. Chris on 0439 471 632.)

Weather should be warm and sunny, and we have some shelter, but this is Melbourne. If it looks rainy, text or call me.

This is an event for Less Wrong Melbourne, an active local group dedicated to the art of rationality and winning at life. It is cross-posted here for your information.

PLEASE NOTE, THE TIME AND VENUE ARE DIFFERENT FROM USUAL. (On Saturday, 2:30pm, and in the park near the NGV. See below.)

Less Wrong Melbourne's Rationality Dojos are self-improvement sessions for those committed to the art of rationality and personal growth.

For this month's scheduled activities, we have...

Adam Karlovsky speaking on "Critical thoughts on nutritional recommendations." Adam will cover government and non-government recommendations, a review of various theories of nutrition, and then a common behaviours roundup (e.g. taking multivitamins, cutting out or adding various foods/drinks).

Then three lightning talks:

• Patrick Robotham: Group decision making.

• Eike Germann: Gamifying your to do list.

• Chris Waterguy: Practical insights from the book "Getting Things Done".

We welcome new members who are interested in exploring rationality. We're all "aspiring rationalists" – none of us have attained perfection ;-).

We have copies of Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality (aka HPMOR) to give away to anyone who'd like one. (First 17 chapters in hard copy, the rest free online.)

WHEN: Saturday 6 Feb, 2:30pm arrival, 3:00pm start.(We're experimenting with the first Saturday of the month, at this earlier time, for the next couple of dojos.)

WHERE: The Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda. Linlithgow Ave, Melbourne. Map: https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Janet+Lady+Clarke+Rotunda/@-37.822314,144.972208,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x6315345fa59c9740?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMrcfHlNHKAhWHUqYKHQKdAU8Q_BIIZTAK

Directions: It's in the park lands directly opposite the NGV in St Kilda Road, about 300m from the NGV tram stop. Walking distance from Flinders Street Station.

Contingency: If the rotunda is preoccupied by another group, we will be on the grass nearby. If the whole area has been taken over by a wedding party, deadly snakes, children or orcs, we may move over the road, or away from the road near the lake. If you have any trouble finding us, call one of us, e.g. Chris on 0439 471 632.)

Weather should be warm and sunny, but this is Melbourne. If it looks rainy, we'll post updates.

Some of us will grab dinner afterwards at a cheap and cheerful local restaurant.

Hope to see you there!