The website www.modernliberty.net is slowly uploading videos from the event I attended a couple of weeks ago.
One keynote speech which I found particularly compelling was from the author Philip Pullman (who wrote His Dark Materials trilogy - I have read two out of three and they are excellent!). They have added this speech to Youtube so it is below for your enjoyment. Before that please watch Conservative MP David Davis who helps to explain why this issue is so important for the UK.
PS - slightly annoying, but Philip Pullman's speech does not sync the sound withthe visuals perfectly, unfortunately. However, to compensate (??!!), if you watch the speech really closely you may spot one or two people that you recognise ;)
Dancing, random mentions about my life; thoughts about the environment and the world; other stuff; plus music I love
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Liberty in the Modern World
Just over a week ago I attended a unique and inspiring event in London which discussed and debated the concept of 'modern liberty' in the United Kingdom today. The UK has long been perceived as a beacon and advocate of freedom and liberty of the individual within a democratic society. There's now a growing and increasingly urgent concern over the slow erosion of these long held, almost taken-for-granted rights.
The Convention of Modern Liberty brought together some of the finest minds and orators in this country - lawyers, politicians, journalists, authors, lobbyists; together with over a thousand members of the general public in London, plus linking up with similar, smaller events across major UK cities.
I left the event feeling almost 'drunk' on the richness of the debates and speeches I observed. It certainly raised my own awareness and has acted as a personal 'wake up call' over how our society has been effectively sleepwalking towards an authoritarian police-esque state. We're not there yet, by all means, but I do believe if we do nothing then we are heading towards a dangerous and more oppressive future.
Here's a couple of short videos which no doubt encapsulate the flavour of the day, and what it's trying to achieve, much better than I can.
The Convention of Modern Liberty brought together some of the finest minds and orators in this country - lawyers, politicians, journalists, authors, lobbyists; together with over a thousand members of the general public in London, plus linking up with similar, smaller events across major UK cities.
I left the event feeling almost 'drunk' on the richness of the debates and speeches I observed. It certainly raised my own awareness and has acted as a personal 'wake up call' over how our society has been effectively sleepwalking towards an authoritarian police-esque state. We're not there yet, by all means, but I do believe if we do nothing then we are heading towards a dangerous and more oppressive future.
Here's a couple of short videos which no doubt encapsulate the flavour of the day, and what it's trying to achieve, much better than I can.
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