Would definitely consider. Although if there are 3 of us in/around Madison, perhaps the center of gravity for this event might consider shifting a bit N/NW? ;)
+1 for MADISON!
We should DEFINITELY do a meet-up here. 6hours+ round-trip is not a perfect substitute.
Perhaps the two fearless leaders could be persuaded to roadtrip up to the Mad City on another day? :) (I'd like to meet them, and I'm not LW-enough to know what a LW meetup should be...) What say?
I'll be moving to Madison in July, as well. It's excellent news to see a core of LWers there already!
One vote for the south side (Hyde Park). Is there a meetup or google group? Any way of communicating with other Chicagoans?
I have started a rudimentary Google group for anyone who might like to use that to get reminders or notices about meetups or have other Chicago/Midwest specific discussions.
I have updated the Chicago meetup post with final details. I am also commenting here so that some people reading recent comments may see it.
I'm happy to move the gathering to Hyde Park, if that turns out to be generally convenient. Is anyone strongly opposed?
Given that potential turnout is higher than Steven and I had initially anticipated (yay!), the Borders on State Street may be a bit crowded as a venue at any rate. Is the café of the Borders in the Hyde Park somewhat spacious?
I'm just responding in the hopes that someone with current knowledge of Hyde Park will be reminded to verify that the Borders is suitable or else suggest a good meetup location.
I haven't lived there for 5 years, but if nothing else, Hutchinson Commons (inside the Reynolds Club at 57th & University, in the room with all the portraits of former university presidents) is a decent place to have a conversation without disturbing others or having to yell.
Hi, I'm also interested. I don't know if I've very much to contribute compared to some other folks, but hopefully I could still tag along?
...hey, wait, I'll be in Chicago for my undergrad reunion that weekend! I can make it, so long as I can get from the meetup to Midway Airport by 5:30. If you do move it to Hyde Park or start a bit earlier, I can stay for more of it.
Border's on the 6th is a fine location and date for me.
Update: Can't quite make the new time/location, will make the next one.
I'd meet on June 6 (tentatively). South side is preferable if there are other people down here.
Finally noticed this conversation. If this meet-up isn't buried on the North side, we (SoulessAutomaton and I) could possibly make it. We'd have to drive in from Grand Rapids.
Hey Chicagoans and any Midwesterners from further afield who would like to join us, let’s start building a vibrant Less Wrong community here in the Windy City!
Steven0461 and I are proposing the first ever Less Wrong meetup in Chicago. The meet-up will be held at 2 pm on June 6 at the C-Shop in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus, which is located on the South Side of Chicago. The address is 5706 S. University Ave. Here is a map of the relevant part of the University of Chicago; the C-Shop is in the Reynolds Club building. We will have a Less Wrong sign on the table so you can identify us.
Steven and I have both been Visiting Fellows at SIAI, lived at the SIAI house, and attended the Bay Area Less Wrong meetups, and we’re excited about introducing Less Wrong meetups to the great city of Chicago.