Party Ideas For Math Nerds? 529
rbf writes "A girl I like at my university, a graduate student in mathematics, will be having a birthday next month. She had thought of throwing a nerd-themed party — show up with tape on your glasses, pants hiked up, etc. However, she decided against it because most of her friends are math nerds and wouldn't even have to dress up! So my question for the community is: What fun party ideas would appeal to a group of mostly math-major nerds?"
Gambling! (Score:5, Interesting)
Ugly Sweater Party (Score:2, Interesting)
Go futuristic! (Score:4, Interesting)
And with all you nerds, I think it'll be very creative too with smashed motherboards and diods
Cookies (Score:5, Interesting)
Also, try asking on the XKCD forums [xkcd.com]. They're slightly higher-brow than here, judging by the comments I see for now
Game parties. (Score:4, Interesting)
A drinking game called Buzz: here's how it works. (Score:2, Interesting)
If you get into the higher numbers and reach a number that qualifies for more than one of the above rules (70: multiple of 7 and has a 7 in it), you must say "Bizz Buzz". If you reach 77 then since it qualifies for all 3 rules, you must say "Bizz Buzz Bazz".
Protip: If you make it above a number that meets all 3 rules, start over because you have missed the point of a drinking game.
Good Party (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Go futuristic! (Score:2, Interesting)
Apart from the costumes it was like any other party: dancing, drinking, talking, etc. But the silly costumes were great conversation starters.
Darts + CS games (Score:2, Interesting)
First player launches a projectile toward a bulls-eye target. Be it a dart, arrow, bean bag, whatever. The second player does the same, and has to closely justify the result. Things like symmetry over a vertical line, rotation, translation, etc. are valid options for justification. Be creative!
The first player goes again, and the second player follows, this time using the same operation. It's followed by a third round, again using the same round.
After retrieving the darts/arrows/beanbags/whatever, the players switch places, and play again. See who's the best at justifying their shots.
A CS variation: Shoot all three projectiles BEFORE declaring an operation. Then figure out the operation that gets the targets valid using the fewest machine instructions.
That probably doesn't make much sense, but whaddya expect for 3 AM?
Create a strange loop (Score:2, Interesting)
Challenge your friends to build this self supporting structure [5min.com]. Hofstadter would call it a strange loop. Think of how this loop in concept is similar to other concepts involving loops, such as logic or consciousness.
Work out the Birthday problem [wikipedia.org] for your group. Calculate the probability that some pair of the guests will have the same birthday, then determine if it's true.
Spivak Drinking game (Score:1, Interesting)
if you have the right mix, it works, elsewise folks just wind up doodling and drinking
paulcon (Score:2, Interesting)
-ism party (Score:2, Interesting)
Halfway to the Haunt (Score:5, Interesting)
Party Ideas For Math Nerds? (Score:2, Interesting)
Long but hopefully useful (Score:5, Interesting)
This is my first post on Slashdot. Normally I don't have anything useful to say (smarter faster posters seem abundant), but I think here I can step up.
Comatose51 (687974) got very close.
Aside from having thrown a lot of very successful parties in my life (even making the news papers), I formed www.HIKEtheGEEK.com a few years ago. Most of the hikers are indeed mathematicians, physicists, and other technically minded people...we also have an amazing geek-girl to geek-guy ratio, which is very cool.
Let's ignore that they are mathematicians, and just recognize they are smart. Smart people are not impressed by shinny objects and noise makers.
Here are some ideas:
- Play music that people will get a kick out of, like the movie soundtrack to a well known or fun movie. Forrest Gump has a very cool sound track for example. It often surprised people when they realize how much music was in that movie. But camp movies can work also.
- Fondue - It involves very hot liquids, and experimentation. The more pots the better. Some can be wine based, others chocolate, etc. It ain't just for the 70s any more.
- Speaking of wine, don't bring beer. Beer is boring...ask people to bring something small, tasty, and interesting. Most geeks don't drink, but if the do, they tend to want to experience something original.
- Invite non-geeks, and invite as many women as you can... Women are naturally social, it is simply wonderful how a well balanced party will just flow.
- Ask everyone to dress nicely. This is rarely done now-a-days. But it is really cool to see your friends at their best, or at the very least, a great chance for black-mail material for later.
- Ask everyone to bring a fav game. Cheap Ass Games is a good example. But don't start games until later. Apples to Apples is another great party game for smart people.
- Show a movie later in the evening, something fun most people would not have seen. Either really old, or really new. (I'm planning on Surfwise next for example).
- Get the invites out early, invite all people in person (on the phone is fine). Do not invite people just by email.
- Hire someone, or get some friends to agree before hand to help clean up.
- Lastly, host the party. This is worth a thousand words on its own, but to be brief, a host is an active job, make sure people meet each other. Introduce people by name, and by someone that others might think is interesting. Even if you don't know someone, you can still make a statement, for example "Terry, meet Pat, Pat meet Terry. Terry wears white vans to parties, while Pat knows how to make the colour red *work*"
Re:Three things. (Score:5, Interesting)
However, romantic attraction is not everything. For a long term relationship, it is necessary but not sufficient. Being useful and caring about her happiness are also necessary. If your goal is long term, helping her throw the party is a good thing.
If your goal is short term only, I don't have the experience to comment. Nor do I want it.
Theory and Practice (Score:4, Interesting)
Guys who are awkward around women summon up the courage to make an approach, get shot down and then beat them selves up and dwell on the bad experience. If you read the material available you'ill realise why you got shot down and what makes a woman tick.
You should read all the material you can get your hands on and improve yourself and start to feel good about yourself as women can spot low self esteem a mile off. Read DeAngelo, Mystery, etc, put the effort in, find out what works for you formulate your own style and get rid of your bad habits.
It's not difficult but it DOES require effort, people who are lazy and then feel sorry for themselves should not expect any sympathy.
Re:Three things. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Long but hopefully useful (Score:1, Interesting)
I'm a beer geek. If beer is boring, then maybe it is time to try some new beer. I highly recommend beeradvocate.com for reviews of a large number of beers.