One problem with hackerspaces, at least in my corner of UK, is that they are very expensive and this acts as a filter for the types of people who go there. For

One problem with hackerspaces, at least in my corner of UK, is that they are very expensive and this acts as a filter for the types of people who go there. For meeting an eclectic mix of fascinating oddballs, on the cheap, nothing beats an astronomy or geology club. They are great social-status-levellers. Executives, dropouts and just plain odd folk all chatting together.with