Conway Hall: Where Ethics Matter

John Clark, for many years curator of the medieval collections at the Museum of London and now ‘Curator Emeritus’, has long been interested in the interplay between history, archaeology and legend in the story of London, from the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth to the burial of Boadicea under King’s Cross station. In this talk he investigates the ‘real’ story of London Stone, in Cannon Street, and the way in which myths have developed around it in the last 150 years.

Doors 7pm. Recorded at The Bell, Middlesex Street. East London.

A New Statesman Centenary Debate.

The Q&As.

British women have made incredible progress in the last 100 years from getting the vote to passing the Equal Pay Act. So what’s next?

With Helen Lewis, Laurie Penny, Bim Adewunmi, Juliet Jacques, VJD Smith is better known as “Glosswitch”, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett and Holly Baxter. Chaired by Caroline Crampton. Recorded 4th April 2013.

A New Statesman Centenary Debate.

British women have made incredible progress in the last 100 years from getting the vote to passing the Equal Pay Act. So what’s next?

With Helen Lewis, Laurie Penny, Bim Adewunmi, Juliet Jacques, VJD Smith is better known as “Glosswitch”, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett and Holly Baxter. Chaired by Caroline Crampton. Recorded 4th April 2013.

A debate and discussion on “The Ethics of Equality” held in collaboration with the GlobalNet21.

Christopher Snowdon - Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA.). He is the author of The Art of Suppression, The Spirit Level Delusion and Velvet Glove; Iron Fist.

His work focuses on pleasure, prohibition and dodgy statistics. He has authored a number of publications including Sock Puppets, Euro Puppets, The Proof of the Pudding, The Crack Cocaine of Gambling and Free Market Solutions in Health.

Engelbert Stockhammer - Director of Research at the Economics, Politics & History Faculty of Kingston University and also presently a research associate at the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst) and member of the coordination committee of the Research Network Macroeconomics and Macroeconomic Policy.

Dating in London: a dive into a wide ocean of fabulous fish people, a smouldering melting pot of hot humanity or an anxious, hectic meat market of cold flesh? With February flushing our cheeks for Valentine’s Day we take a look at lovin’ in the city. With Zoe Margolis, Emma Ziff, Charly Lester, Andy Jones, Jamie Lawson and a lovely audience.

Ben Judah talks to James Bloodworth and an excited audience at Conway Hall about his immersion in the hidden world of London's immigrants - from Russian oligarchs to Roma beggars - and discovers the complex and varied lives that make London what it is today.

Is Obi Wan Kenobi a benign spirit guide or a radical preacher recruiting vulnerable teens to join a terrorist movement that blows up government Death Stars? Is R2D2 Moses? And is Han Solo really a humanist?

These and other questions will be answered by our panel of experts, including: Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou and Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association and Sci Fi supremo, Andrew Copson.

*WARNING* *EXPLICIT LANGUAGE USED THOUGHOUT*

Beer experts Pete Brown and Melissa Cole, gin-historian Richard Barnett, and London brewers and distillers celebrate and discuss London and it’s drinking history and culture; from the taverns to the gin craze, to craft brewing and beyond. Londonist and Conway Hall Ethical Society are proud to present an evening of ale, gin, pubs, conversation and a tipsy toddle through our fantastic city’s history and life.

In this intriguing and timely event, two high profile figures Tehamina Kazi and Boyd Sleator will discuss these important issues impacting our society today.

Recorded by Peter Hall

London Thinks has gathered experts in psychology, religion and cults to explore the idea of belief. Why do we believe the things we do? Are we genetically programmed to believe in the supernatural, or is belief socially imposed upon us from a young age? Were Abrahamic religious texts always considered to be the word of God or is religious literalism a modern invention? Samira Ahmed chairs as our panelists discuss these ideas and more in our first London Thinks of 2016.