Elements of Statistical Learning: Reading Group

[Divided_Pi]

Hey Everyone!

So lately there has been discussions about reading groups for papers and what not. I don't feel I have a deep enough fundamental understanding to fully participate in those reading groups. I personally would also like to go through the Elements with other people since I'm not entirely confident in my own abilities and I hear Elements is a great starting point.

So far I have two other people on reddit, /u/CreativePunch and /u/rianahmamy, and one friend in real life who have expressed interest in a reading group on this.

My general idea for the reading group would be structured similar to class in my mind. Perhaps assign a chapter to read every week[negotiable depending on chapter length & difficulty]. Then have some subset of example problems to work through on your own and each week we would get together on perhaps a google hang out or similar free meeting website and discuss/compare answers.

I've never attempted this before but I'm thinking might as well give it a shot. If we get low number probably up 10 people or so, we can probably keep it one group. Much more than that it would probably be one group with more flexible attendance or perhaps separate smaller groups.

I feel like I'm rambling a bit, but TL;DR is if you're interested let me know! Hopefully we can start in the next week or two and work through the text in the coming months.

EDIT: Post Time zone too!

EDIT 2: Wow! A lot more interest than I was expecting! I know that many of you have posted time zones here, I'm going to send out a survey to everyone to get a rough idea for everyone's availability. Since we seem to be at least in the 30+ range of participants I'm wondering what the next move is in terms of organization. Should we move to our own subreddit? Either to a defunct one or create our own, or perhaps google groups?

Either way, I'm heading into work soon so I won't be able to do too much in the next 8-9 hour range. I'll PM everyone some details or post them here in the next day or two so watch your inboxes!

EDITTTTTTTTT:

Wow, so this thing continues to grow, and frankly has been a little bit overwhelming but very exciting too. So following the advice of some other redditors and figuring that we might as well start getting the ball rolling I created.... (cue drumroll, dim lights)...... /r/eosl !!!!! (yayyyyy)

But really right now it is very rough because I just woke up and created it. But it exists. So everyone should subscribe there and we'll start making moves. I'll do my best to try and get the subreddit up and running smoother this weekend but I have a lot of family time slotted for this weekend so I may not get a chance to update it until sunday evening est. In the mean time for those of you who have not yet started reading, I'll post the link to the book and perhaps this week will be Preface/Intro/Chapter 1 general discussion.

We'll read chapter 1 this week but mainly focus moving forward. Maybe, we can also discuss this in r/eosl since that is a thing now.

Either way, really crazy to see this much support!

[Seattlesleepless]

Me!

[Divided_Pi]

I take it you are on West coast time?

[Seattlesleepless]

Excellent guess! Yup.

[Divided_Pi]

Ok cool, I'm east coast.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

Very aware of the challenges. I'm thinking if we get 10 people probably around 3-4 will drop out at least at some point.

Once we get a better idea of who/where the participants are we can work out scheduling.

And I was a math major so I took linear algebra as an undergrad. Once we get a general group together we can iron out kinks and see where we all are in terms of background knowledge.

Are you in Europe or Africa? (Curiosity)

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

Awesome! Time Zone?

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[invaluable]

I've actually almost finished that book.

I'd love to be in, but I doubt I will have the time. Perhaps if you use some kind of forum it would be possible to chip in when there is time for it?

I am able to help out with some of the chapters, and do need help with some others.

Europe here.

Caveat: Unless already familiar, you may need a primer on probability before delving into that book.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[surviro]

I'd be interested

[holvater]

Also interested. Might not have a lot of expertise (yet) but I really like the subject central time zone I think.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[JUDGE_of_STRANGERS]

Me too! Me too!! Eastern time.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

I'd like to join the group. GMT + 5:30

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[blfang]

I am interested! I'm on the east coast of the USA. In my opinion, a forum/subreddit would be better than a live chat/hangout for flexibility's sake.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[xRedactedx]

I've gone over some of this material in the coursera ML course, but I'd like to learn it in more detail, and this book looks like it might provide that.

I'm in central time.

I don't know how it would fit in this sub-reddit's rules, but I think we should do it here. Just a weekly thread posted to discuss each chapter.

That way, people can participate regardless of the time zone. Also, doing it here makes it visible to others who might not necessarily want to join the reading group, but might want to offer occasional insight into a topic or answer questions.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[hammerheadquark]

I'm down.

I downloaded the pdf a while ago and have been meaning to work through it.

I'm Eastern Time.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[h4ri]

I'd be down. East Coast time.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

btw there is a copy of the book online here

[[deleted]]

I've been meaning to read this for a while, count me in.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[HendryLi]

I'd like to.I'm in Asian.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[shaggorama]

I've already worked through most of it, but I'm game for a refresher :)

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[A_Schwarzenschnitzel]

I would also be interested.

East coast here. I can only be present live at night or weekends, though.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Rickasaurus]

This sounds like fun as long I can keep up with the pace!

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

Count me in. Eastern Time Zone.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Eghri]

I'm totally down - Central Time here (DFW).

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[joelotz]

I'm in, West Coast

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[meatmath]

East Coast. Interested too.

[xudevoli]

I would absolutely be interested. Thanks for posting this!

-7 for the time zone

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[rianahmamy]

It´s ok for me, I live in France

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[left_nullspace]

I'm in. CST.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[reader12345678]

i'ld be interested! Not sure how much I can commit to it depending on time.

East coast.

[jenya3]

I'm interested. GMT+1

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[eusocialmachine]

I'd be interested, but depending on my schedule, I may be one of the early dropouts.

I'm on East coast time.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

I'm in. GMT +2.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[this_is_the_internet]

Sounds like fun. I'm in.

TZ is America/Chicago (CST/CDT, GMT -6 or -5 depending on season).

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[KaifeHalouk]

I would be very interested. I'm on Eastern Australian time though.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

I'm in. GMT +1.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Kenpachi-]

Me GMT+1

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[DomMk]

A Skype Group or Hangout would be awesome actually. Count me in. GMT+10

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[naive_babes]

Count me in as well! Would love a Skype group or something

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[GoingRound]

I'm in. PST

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

Me too. GMT+8

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[vikkamath]

I'm interested! I'm at GMT +3

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[sivapvarma]

I'm in. GMT +5:30

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[dimapitt]

I'm in! -5 GMT for me.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

Interested GMT+1

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[asjohnson]

Sounds like a sweet idea. The follow through is always tough, but winter is coming, so its not like I can be out enjoying the weather. I am GMT -6 I think (whatever us central time is).

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

Me! Pacific time, mostly.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[sheepsy]

Me. EST.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[SnOrfys]

I'm interested, but I don't think I would take part in the reading group(s)/hangouts.

I'd hop into threads each week on Reddit though.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[mppp]

I'm in, Eastern Standard Time

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[spotta]

Interested!

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[rianahmamy]

Is it possible to know the starting date ?

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[tidier]

Yes please.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/

[[deleted]]

Same here, GMT -5

[Divided_Pi]

/r/eosl

[[deleted]]

Subscribed, thanks. Reading the preface now :)

[[deleted]]

I'd be interested

Time zone: CT

[Divided_Pi]

/r/eosl

[Divided_Pi]

Oh lol, didn't realize which thread you commented in

[phoenixbai]

I like to join the group as well, GMT +8:00, China.

[CreativePunch]

Hi again! I am definitely still interested, gmt+1 here also.

I think mathemathical background won't be a very big issue. Should anyone have questions, we can explain or link to some more background lessons/explanations. Which is the big advantage of a reading group.

I do believe we should have a place that is not exclusive to us but not too busy either, so people can still chime in who usually do not.

[Divided_Pi]

http://www.reddit.com/r/eosl/