What if I create an Off-Topic -> Chat section which doesn't contribute to post count, is ignored from unreadposts by default, hides signatures, and has some additional unpaid mods pulled from the Wall Observers regulars? It'd be exempt from some of the rules in order to allow for the chatroom-like style.
That doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Although some participants might think that Economics -> Speculation -> would be more appropriate -- if the sub is in Off Topic, then maybe someone could create a sticky in Speculation letting everyone know where this thread is.