London Thinks – Waiting for GLaDOS: What Could Sentient Machines Mean for Humanity?
For decades, we’ve imagined the rise of computer-based life forms, super-intelligences whose intellects could far surpass our own and trigger a new phase in non-human evolution. Could these visions become real, and why do they have such a grip on our imaginations? How has culture informed AI research? Should we be more worried about sentient […]
The Inventor of the Zombie: The life and times of William B Seabrook: pervert, drunk, cannibal, occultist and ‘negrophile’
This talk will explore the life of William Seabrook (1884-1945), once a celebrated feature writer, journalist, travel writer and friend to many key artists of the New York and Paris Modernist era. Seabrook’s exotic travels led him to join the Bedouins, attempt to eat human flesh in West Africa, experiment with witchery with Aleister Crowley, […]
Divided Britain – The Impact of Rising Inequality
Stewart Lansley Poverty in Britain is at post-war highs and – even with economic growth – is set to increase yet further. Food bank queues are growing, levels of severe deprivation have been rising, and increasing numbers of children are left with their most basic needs unmet. Based on exclusive access to the largest ever […]
London Thinks – What has Scientology got to Hide?
The Church of Scientology has a problem with free speech, according to three speakers who have dared to question the Church’s self-certification of itself as a religion and the claim made by its apostles, Tom Cruise and John Travolta, that it is a force for good. N.B. We have contacted the London branch of the […]
World Wide Weave – Extraordinary Lives
An Exhibition for the 75th Anniversary of the Camphill Movement 1940-2015 An inspiring series of 75 pieces of multi-media textile art by adults, children and young people with learning disabilities from 19 countries worldwide to mark the Camphill Movement’s 75th anniversary. The exhibition is a celebration of their creative, artistic skills in the craft of […]
Open Borders: Unconditional Hospitality
Manu Bazzano Unconditional hospitality is a central idea in contemporary ethical philosophy and it has important implications for psychology. Its political equivalent is the notion of open borders as a utopian critique of nationality and national identity. We can become good hosts by temporarily interrupting the self and our habitual concerns about ‘me’ and ‘mine’ and also […]
“Mr Ethical” discusses corruption in finance and the law
At the time of writing Mr Ethical (Nicholas Wilson) is preparing a private prosecution against the Chair of HSBC Holdings, Douglas Flint and six solicitors. His career in the law came to an abrupt end when he reported his employers to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for illegal practices and was immediately dismissed. Nicholas Wilson had […]
Living Danishly: Why are Danes so Happy and What can we Learn From Them?
When she was suddenly given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, journalist and archetypal Londoner Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: the happiest place on earth isn’t Disneyland, but Denmark. So what is the secret to their success? Having decided to find out, Helen will share her funny, poignant journey and explain […]
London Assembly – Nail Spite Houses
Sunday Assembly London is held at 11am on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at Conway Hall. Our theme for this Assembly: “Nail & Spite Houses” and the headline speaker is Drew Buddie (@digitalmaverick). We will have a poet to entertain or console us and one of our supporters will give a personal […]