It’s probably coincidence (all these extreme cases in different places within days of each other), but it really does feel like a big backlash against our freedom of speech. Looking back, we’ll probably realise that’s what it was.
Kylie Sturgesssays
Hope you enjoy the convention! It was a lot of fun last year (and the restaurant downstairs is open with wifi until the very tiny hours). 🙂
Steersmansays
I hope there’s plenty of security there with lots of cameras. And a ready willingness to expeditiously remove anyone showing up in a burka.
maureen.briansays
And you have Steve Jones there with you! You can pick his brain on why UCL gets worse rather than better at coping with religious nuts and their intimidation or, in his case, taking people on to study biology who want the “without evolution, please” recipe.
You are right. The megalomania of the righteous-in-religion trumps all else at the moment for a discussion topic. Particularly how to handle it.
raymoscowsays
I had a residential course in that hotel last year.
The hotel bar is terrible (crap beers but really expensive), but there is a nice pub just across the street, with real ales, traditional atmosphere and nice people.
raymoscowsays
Sorry — I got my hotels mixed up. I haven’t stayed in this hotel (Mecure Manchester Picadilly), and its bar might be fine. I still recommend the nearby pub (The Bull Head on London Road, across from Picadilly train station.)
It’s probably coincidence (all these extreme cases in different places within days of each other), but it really does feel like a big backlash against our freedom of speech. Looking back, we’ll probably realise that’s what it was.
Hope you enjoy the convention! It was a lot of fun last year (and the restaurant downstairs is open with wifi until the very tiny hours). 🙂
I hope there’s plenty of security there with lots of cameras. And a ready willingness to expeditiously remove anyone showing up in a burka.
And you have Steve Jones there with you! You can pick his brain on why UCL gets worse rather than better at coping with religious nuts and their intimidation or, in his case, taking people on to study biology who want the “without evolution, please” recipe.
Ophelia:
You are right. The megalomania of the righteous-in-religion trumps all else at the moment for a discussion topic. Particularly how to handle it.
I had a residential course in that hotel last year.
The hotel bar is terrible (crap beers but really expensive), but there is a nice pub just across the street, with real ales, traditional atmosphere and nice people.
Sorry — I got my hotels mixed up. I haven’t stayed in this hotel (Mecure Manchester Picadilly), and its bar might be fine. I still recommend the nearby pub (The Bull Head on London Road, across from Picadilly train station.)
I hope to attend the QED conference, too.