Saloons: I'm sure that if you were there in the saloon at the time, listening to them talk, you'd probably just think they were loud, opinionated drunks. It's only the passing of time that allows us to say that they were the great thinkers of the time. On a side note, have you seen the film
Midnight in Paris where the main character goes back in time to meet all these characters in the saloons of the day - it might be worth watching.
College dorm rooms: I don't think I should say what happened in my room but I certainly look back on those days with a smile. I certainly don't remember talking much.
TED talks: they are probably close to what you're after but they're not a discussion, they talk and you listen.
Internet forums: places such as these are great but of course it's not reality as such. There's also the issue of forum guidelines, karma, likes etc that mean we have to edit our thoughts and avoid certain avenues of thought. It's a bit like being in the saloons you talk about but then having your grandmother sit behind you ready to throw you out the bar if you say anything she dislikes - I understand it's necessary to keep the peace but it doesn't lead to great thinking.
I'm not even sure how many great thinkers there are out there these days that I'd like to have a beer with. Stephen Hawkins might be difficult, Craig Venter perhaps, Thomas Heatherwick probably - but I can't see it happening
