The Rise of the Go Community at Starbucks

In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the emergence of a Go community at a Starbucks coffee shop in Shanghai. Go is a strategic board game popular in East Asia. The coffee shop became a gathering place for around 400 Go enthusiasts who would meet and play on the second floor. The arrangement was based on an understanding that they would be quiet and not disturb other customers. The hosts highlight the importance of community gathering stories and the positive impact of creating spaces for people to share common interests and socialize. They also mention the efforts of local civil servants to improve living standards by providing suitable venues for leisure activities. The podcast concludes by suggesting that community building doesn't always require dedicated facilities, but can instead be sparked by passionate individuals and mutual cooperation.