Applications open April 4th. Acceptance letters go out starting May 1st.

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Join the 13th LessWrong Community Weekend (LWCW) in Berlin. This is the world’s largest rationalist social gathering which brings together 250+ aspiring rationalists from across Europe and beyond for 4 days of intellectual exploration, socialising and fun.

We will be taking over the whole hostel with a huge variety of spaces inside and outside to talk, relax, dance, play, learn, teach, connect, cuddle, practice, share... simply enjoy time together our way.

We invite everyone who shares a curiosity about new perspectives to gain a truthful understanding of the world and its inhabitants, a passion for developing practices and systems that achieve our personal goals and, consequently those of humanity at large, as well as a desire to nurture empathetic relationships that support and inspire us on our journey.

The whole event will be participant-driven in an unconference style: shortly before, and any time during, the weekend, a digital event schedule is filled with 100+ workshops, talks and activities by the attendees. The high quality sessions that others benefit most from are prepared upfront, but when inspiration hits some are just made up on the spot. Without the help of many volunteers to setup, run and tear down, the event wouldn't be possible either.

Previous years’ schedules have included…

The event takes place in the natural surroundings of Lake Wannsee on the outskirts of Berlin. So you can spend time recharging in between making new friends by hiking in the forests, sunbathing, or swimming in the lake.

LWCW is family & LGBTQIA+ friendly. After past years' amazing experiences we are increasing our effort into creating a diverse event where people of all ages, genders, backgrounds and experiences feel at home. Three things bring us together: 
1. The curiosity for new perspectives to gain a truthful understanding of the universe and its inhabitants.
2. A passion for developing practices that achieve our personal goals, and as such, those of humanity at large.
3. Caring for empathetic relationships that support and inspire us on our journey.

If you’re excited to come, please consider sharing this announcement on social media or sending the link to a friend or like-minded communities who might enjoy attending. Feedback from attendees along the lines of “consistently my favourite weekend of the entire year!!” is not uncommon so you could be doing somebody a big favour.

This event has a special place in our hearts and we truly think there’s nothing else quite like it. It’s where so many of us made friends with whom we have more in common than each of us would’ve thought to be possible. It’s where new ideas have altered our opinions or even changed the course of our life - in the best possible way.

Essential Information

When: Friday 11th September (12:00) - Monday 14th September (12:00)

Where: Youth Hostel Wannsee (Berlin)

Prices: The ticket includes accommodation, meals and plenty of snacks.

• Regular ticket: €225-275
• Supporter ticket: €300/400/500+

Nobody makes any money from this event, and the organiser team is unpaid. If you want to attend but the ticket cost is the only thing holding you back apply anyway! With the help of our supporters we are able to provide some financial support for those in need.

Applications open April 4th. Acceptance letters go out starting May 1st.

Contact: If you have ANY questions email us at lwcw.europe@gmail.com or post them in the comments section below.

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Food, Sleeping, Covid

Ample quantities of vegan food are provided 3 times per day in the JH Wannsee canteen.

An impressive collection of snacks are available as many times a day as you want at the legendary snack table.

Bedrooms usually look like this and there’s a process for matching up roommates based on sleep cycle, whether they are light or heavy sleepers, and preferred gender.

There is likely still significant risk to develop LongCovid after, and considerable health downsides to a Covid infection. In order to attend you will need to take a rapid antigen test that we provide immediately on arrival. We will also provide tests which you are encouraged to use each morning before you leave your bedroom so as to stop infection chains on the spot. In case of an infection, we will be able to provide special accommodation. By following this testing process from previous years, we were able to keep infections and negative impact at a minimum.

Application FAQ

I want to come but I’m worried about filling in the application form. Will I get rejected if I say the wrong things? How much should I go into detail?

We gently encourage you not to worry and to send an application anyway. We are actively looking for amazing, diverse participants outside the stereotypical schema.

Just tell us honestly why you’re excited about coming, who you are, how you feel about this whole rationality thing and what you might be excited to contribute. 
100-300 words total are perfectly enough.

We expect about 1.5 applications per spot so your chances are good!

Does the activity or workshop I run need to be very high quality?

You don’t need to run an activity at all, unless you want to. Many participants do, so there’s no necessity for every person to run something.

It’s true that we are looking for participants who are excited to contribute but there’s plenty of other ways to do that too: helping someone else to research and prepare a workshop, being an on-site helper who refills the snack table, volunteering for the emotional support team, giving a 5-minute lightning talk or just being an awesome and friendly human being to hang out with.

And if you do organise an activity – make it something you’re really passionate and curious about, and put in as much effort as you think the topic deserves. Nobody is going to judge you harshly if it’s not perfect. In fact, jumping in enthusiastically anyway is very much in the spirit of the event!

Can I bring my children?

Yes! Children up to 2 years old can come for free. The hostel can provide a crib and offers some family rooms. Children up to 6 years, let us know on the application form if you’re interested in childcare – and if there’s sufficient demand we will organise that for you.

We usually have a couple of older (8-14-year-old) kids attend with their parent(s), but every year we want to be more inclusive of families so hope there will be more! 
For children up to 12 years we can offer the ticket at cost, for half price.

I don’t feel like part of the Rationality/LessWrong community. I’ve never been to an event or meetup like this before. Should I still apply?

Yes! LWCW is very newcomer friendly and you won’t be the only first-timer. In fact this is how many people meet great friends in the LW and EA communities.

What matters is that you feel a connection to our shared values: curiosity for new perspectives to gain a truthful understanding of the world and its inhabitants, passion for developing practices and systems that achieve our personal goals and, consequently, those of humanity at large as well as nurturing empathetic relationships that support and inspire us on our journey.

We aim to make this year's LWCW even more diverse and inclusive because we are convinced of the benefits for the whole community. If you feel you don’t fit the typical model of a LWCW attendee (whatever that is) in terms of age, gender, sexuality, race, economic or educational background – we really want to encourage you to apply!

Help Us Spread The Word

LWCW is volunteer-organised with no marketing budget so we rely on word of mouth to get the message out.

If you’re able to, please consider sharing this page on social media or sending the link to a friend who might enjoy attending.

Feedback from attendees along the lines of “consistently my favourite weekend of the entire year!!” is not uncommon so you could be doing somebody a big favour.

We can’t wait to see you there!