Albert Einstein is credited with coming up with the observation that “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” He didn’t really say that, but actually said something better in 1946 as part of his celebrity endorsement of what amounted to a telegram-based crowdfunding campaign to raise $200K “to let the people know that a new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels.”

We could really use some of that higher level thinking on the Interwebz these days.

That’s why for the next year EFF-Austin is hosting a weekly dinner and social event on Friday evenings at Austin Pizza Garden in southwest Austin. Higher level thinking may indeed emerge from a vacuum like the quantum fluctuations alleged to froth the quantum foam, but we’d like to add a little energy to that equation by providing a predictable spacetime in which new fluctuations can emerge. So for the next year, if you’re wondering where to eat dinner or what to do on a Friday night, join us to connect and hypothesize while nom-ing on some of the best pizza and cheapest beers in Austin.

Where: Austin Pizza Garden, 6266 W Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78735
When: Every Friday at 6:30pm til ? (never later than 11pm)
What: DINNER! Pizza, Stromboli, Lasagna, Mozzarella Sticks, Draft and Bottled Beer, moar – menu – PDF
What Else: CONVERSATION! And whatever else tickles our fancy. Free Wi-Fi + power so bring your devices. We’ll be upstairs in the big room.

Map of Austin Pizza Garden and Vicinity – including route recommended to avoid Oak Hill traffic, convenient bus stop, plans for world liberation

You might think there’s a definite madness in our method here – and you would be right! Unconventional times call for unconventional thinking! We propose that the creation of a safe and predictable spacetime for socializing, commiseration, and concocting may be just the kind of proposition the nutty Professor Einstein would have raised his pint to, if for no other reason than to demonstrate his post-corporeal acceptance of spooky action at a distance. We propose no agenda, only pizza and beer, and let the conversations take us where they will. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. But most importantly, bring your appetite!