A monthly round-up of Academy of Ideas events, comment and media.
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Academy of Ideas Newsletter
January 2020
The sad news of the death of Professor Roger Scruton, perhaps the foremost conservative thinker in Europe in recent decades, has been marked by numerous well-deserved tributes. Roger was a friend both to me, despite our many differences on the issues of the day, and to the Academy of Ideas. You can enjoy his brilliant attempt to condense Kant into a single lecture at The Academy in 2012 here. But we shared some vitally important things in common, particularly about the importance of education and the value of being willing to challenge and be challenged on our ideas. (I've written my own tribute to Roger here.)
This openness to debate and the possibility of someone changing your mind is, I hope, a hallmark of our work at the AoI. I'm delighted that the boi charity is continuing its work with Debating Matters this month, too, providing young people with the chance to develop their ideas and debating abilities.
But learning to discuss ideas and disagree better would also be a good outlook for society in 2020. The past few years, particularly since the vote to leave the EU in 2016, have seen plenty of divisions and an intemperate tone to many debates. But if society is to move forward now, we need to learn to find ways to discuss the future that allow for both passion and civility.
As ever, there is much to discuss. Take the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Harry and Meghan to the rest of us - have decided to pull back from public life. 'Megxit', as the tabloid wags have christened, has opened up debates about the purpose of the royal family, whether the UK is a racist and/or sexist country, the role of duty today and the rise of celebrity culture. As many have noted, the whole affair is something everyone seems to have an opinion on and, for once, nobody seems to afraid to express it.
We'll be talking about these issues and much more over the course of the year, particularly at the Battle of Ideas festival. We're already working hard to make this year's festival happen so watch this space for news.
Claire Fox
Director, Academy of Ideas
Podcasts
Friday 20 December 2019
What is the future of the Union?
Listen to the debate from the Battle of Ideas 2019.
Monday 16 December 2019
Caster Semenya running into controversy: genes, gender and sport
Listen to the debate from the Battle of Ideas 2019.
You can catch up with all our podcasts, and subscribe to them, here. You can also listen to the latest Battle of Ideas audio via our Soundcloud playlist or watch videos via our YouTube playlist.
Debating Matters
Debating Matters returns with three championships across January and February. On Thursday 23 January, Sherborne Girls School in Dorset will host the South West Championship. On 5 February, Southampton Solent University will host the Southampton Championship and the Berlin Championship takes place on 27 February. Find out about these events and more on the Debating Matters website.
Comedy Unleashed
London's free-thinking comedy club returns on Tuesday 11 February with Nick Dixon headlining, plus Konstantin Kisin, Rosie Wilby, Preet Singh and a comedy newcomer... Toby Young. The show will be compered by Dominic Frisby and also features Will Franken’s Sketches of the Absurd!. The club's motto is 'If it's funny... it's funny' and the comedians leave self-censorship at the door. You can get tickets right now via Eventbrite.
Forums and Salons
The world economy: a coming crash?
On Tuesday 21 January at 7.15pm in London, Rob Lyons will introduce a discussion on the prospects for the world economy in 2020. With no major global downturn since the crash of 2008, many commentators think another recession may be due. Are they right - and if so, what will trigger the crisis? More...
Should schoolchildren be forced to have the MMR vaccine?
On Tuesday 11 February at 7pm, Dr Mike Fitzpatrick will introduce a discussion on one of the thorniest moral dilemmas for schools today. Can we protect children from diseases like measles while support parental autonomy, or is compulsory vaccination now inevtiable? Find out more here.
Dido Powell’s London art museum tours 2020
The gallery tours run by artist and educator Dido Powell have become an annual hit and the next series starts on Sunday 16 February. This new series will offer an illuminating introduction to a range of artistic themes and techniques across many of London's finest museums.
To find out more, visit the Arts and Society Forum event page.
Media appearances and articles
BBC Politics Live
Claire Fox was one of the guests on the BBC's lunchtime politics show on Monday 6 January to discuss Iran, the Labour Party’s leadership contest and Brexit. Also on the panel were Tory MP Stephen Crabb, shadow housing minister Sarah Jones and Alastair Campbell.
#MeToo, Trump and misreading The Handmaid’s Tale
Feminists wilfully ignore the commitment to freedom of expression that lies at the heart of Margaret Atwood's fiction, writes Ella Whelan.
My clash with Alastair Campbell convinced me it’s time to hug a remainer
After her appearance on Politics Live, Claire Fox wrote for the Spectator on why it’s time to try to be constructive in the way we discuss politics.
Why are we still going along with the EU’s menthol ban?
Rob Lyons asked why the UK still seems set to implement EU laws even after formally leaving the EU.
Remembering my friend Roger Scruton – philosopher, teacher, hero
Claire Fox offers her own memories of the famous philosopher.
Forthcoming appearances
Sky News Papers Preview
Ella Whelan will be one of the guests on Monday 20 January.