Battle of Ideas, London, October

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/programme/overview/

Lots of interesting looking sessions here for feminists.

Surrogacy, early release, free speech, Pride, puberty blockers, 'women and the woke workplace', womb transplants ...

Ooh.

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/sex-and-the-war-on-women-independent-publishing-for-those-who-refuse-to-be-cancelled/

War on women: ‘independent publishing for those who refuse to be cancelled’
Sunday 18 October, 10:00—10:45, Convocation Hall, Church HouseBreakfast Banters
Having experienced losing her job because of her gender-critical views, Professor Jo Phoenix has launched a new publishing company, Phoenix Publications Ltd. With the tagline ‘Independent publishing for those who refuse to be cancelled’, the aim is to publish ‘rigorous gender-critical non-fiction in long and short form, from those at the sharp end of contemporary social and political struggles’. It promises books, booklets, reports, memoirs, testimonies – from those at the sharp end of contemporary social and political struggles – and its scope will broaden into adjacent categories – fiction, for instance – as the press develops and submissions warrant.

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/the-rise-of-the-femosphere/

'Angry young women? The rise of the femosphere'

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/lgb-tqi-the-history-and-future-of-a-forced-marriage/

'LGB & TQI+: the history and future of a forced marriage'

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/should-we-scrap-the-equality-act/
'Should we scrap The Equality Act?
Sunday 18 October, 13:45—15:15, Hoare Memorial Hall, Church HouseFree Society
The fights for equality and freedom have long been assumed to advance together. Yet as equality has become increasingly codified through laws such as the Equality Act 2010, some argue these two ideals now collide. With issues of identity, harassment and harms now centre-stage in political life, difficult tensions have emerged around equality claims, justice demands centred on protected characteristics, and rights such as free speech. Some – including the party that has been leading the opinion polls for much of the past two years, Reform UK – argue the Equality Act must be repealed to rid us of the ‘pernicious, divisive notion of protected characteristics’.'

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/smash-the-unions-start-again/

'Women betrayed: should we smash the unions and start again?
Sunday 18 October, 15:45—17:00, Hospitality Suite, Church HouseInstitutions
The history of trade unionism has a proud tradition of fighting for women’s rights. In the mid-1800s, separate women’s unions, such as the Women’s Protective and Provident League, were established to address the specific needs of female workers, including dressmakers, typists and bookbinders. This year marks the centenary of the 1926 General Strike. But it also marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Grunwick dispute, a two-year strike at a film-processing company in Willesden, north London of mainly South Asian women over working conditions, and in rebellion at the ‘atmosphere of fear, control and degrading treatment by managers’.'

I'll stop now.

Looks absolutely AMAZING.

Wish I was there. They do put some talks up on youtube, I think.

I mean there are loads more, best go and have a good look through. No idea how you'd choose between many of them.

Sounds interesting and I enjoy hearing from Dennis. This made me "hmm" though.

"Is it fair that those without designated protected characteristics, such as white men, do not enjoy these protections?" White men are protected under the Equality Act. The characteristics include "Race" and "Sex", not "Black" and "Female".

Good point!

I'm excited about the whole idea of a festival dedicated to debate and free exchange of ideas.

This looks really interesting, thanks @ArabellaScott I might be able to go, so I'll look into it.

Reading the programme has cheered me right up

Lots of great talks offered. Quite a bit of it seems very right-leaning, but I don't mind, I'll listen to anyone. If I don't like what they're saying (for example, throwing stuff around without backing it up with evidence), I'll either argue or walk away, depending on how much I care that they're spouting nonsense. As we know, there's plenty of nonsense being spouted on the left as well! 😁

Problems have arisen because some of the sessions that interest me overlap. Must look into it some more, but there's definitely enough there to keep me interested all weekend.

I note they have special ticket rates available for "school pupils." I wonder if the presence of children will keep the conference clean, and if any activists who attend will think of the kids before they start kicking off?

Of course, it's entirely possible that some of the activists would be kids! 😏

I went for the first time last year and it was brilliant. So many interesting talks. This year, I bought my early bird ticket from FSU as soon as they were released.

There were lots of feminists there - both on the panels and among the attendees.

I was looking for feminist related angles more than political leanings. Thought it was sort of all angles? Will have another read.

From what I can see it looks to have people of all political stripes approaching contentious and pressing issues from various angles.

I'd pretty much hope and expect to find plenty to disagree with - i think.thats half the point.

AI indicates this event is associated with the Ben Delo Foundation. Is that correct?

https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/sample-page/ben-delo-foundation/

That's what it says. Does it matter to you?

What is 'right-leaning' these days?

What does 'associated with' mean to people who want to listen to other people talk?

I went last year. It was like a breath of fresh air.

This is him?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Delo

Cant find jnfo on the foundation itself.

@ArabellaScott Yes, he's one of the two men donating £36M to Reform. I just genuinely wondered why PP was raising it.

BBC article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly79gpp22do

Thanks @ArabellaScott

I’ve never been before but I bought early bird tickets this year. I’ll take a good look over the program over the weekend

https://delo.org/

Supports Free enquiry and academic freedom, Mathematics education and research, Neurodiversity and young people with autism, Building collaboration across the Commonwealth

Thirty six million. Bloody hell.

When are we ever getting our Xtian right-wing money btw? It would be really handy. Im starting to think we are never actually getting bank rolled at all.

BoiledBeetle is keeping it safe for us. Apparently.