Gresham College
For The Love Of Learning. Free Public Lectures, Since 1597
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The Death of Athenian Democracy? | Gresham College
The Death of Athenian Democracy? | Gresham College
The death of Athenian democracy is as difficult to date definitively as its birth. Was it 338 BCE, when the battle of Chaeronea brought the city under Macedon’s thumb? Or 322 BCE, when Athens was defeated in another battle, which led to the installing of a Macedonian garrison that would remain in the city for over a century? What kinds of constitution could the Athenians institute in such circumstances, and how do they compare to the heyday of their democracy?
Guantánamo on the Euphrates? Syria in a Time of Opportunity | Gresham College
Guantánamo on the Euphrates? Syria in a Time of Opportunity | Gresham College
In this lecture, Professor Stafford Smith looks at current challenges and opportunities in Syria. He has visited Syria mainly to help Camp Roj and Camp Al-Hol prisoners (including Shamima Begum and 60,000 others), while also dealing with Syrian opposition group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), when they imprisoned and tortured some of his clients. Now in power, HTS are facing the consequences of years of civil war. What are the challenges and what can advocates do to help them?
The Universe’s 100th Birthday: Galactic Fireworks and Little Red Dots | Gresham College
The Universe’s 100th Birthday: Galactic Fireworks and Little Red Dots | Gresham College
100 years ago this year, Edwin Hubble published the first conclusive evidence that there were galaxies beyond the Milky Way. This lecture, using new results from our latest space telescopes and ground-based instruments, surveys the diversity of systems that we’ve found since, from giant and beautiful spirals to mysterious Little Red Dots.
Bridget: Goddess and Saint | Gresham College
Bridget: Goddess and Saint | Gresham College
Bridget is the most popular Celtic goddess or saint in modern spirituality. She straddles the pagan and Christian division as no other figure does, and remains entirely benign while being also independent and capable. She is at once the Mother Saint of Gaelic people and a pagan goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. This lecture examines the very tangled history that lies behind this identity. It asks if the goddess became the saint, or if they were different beings, and how good the evidence is for the existence of a real woman or a genuine pagan deity behind all the mythology.
New book from Emeritus Gresham College Professor of Law Jo Delahunty | Gresham College
New book from Emeritus Gresham College Professor of Law Jo Delahunty | Gresham College
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Why Do We Hate? | Gresham College
Why Do We Hate? | Gresham College
Hatred is one of the most destructive human emotions, responsible for some of the greatest atrocities that humans have committed against each other. But why did it evolve in the first place? What is the evolutionary advantage of hating someone? Why is hate the ‘evil twin’ of love? And will we ever be able to ‘treat’ hatred and open the door to a utopian world of peaceful coexistence?
Born Supremacy – AI as a Pale Shadow of Real Humanity | Gresham College
Born Supremacy – AI as a Pale Shadow of Real Humanity | Gresham College
In this lecture, we glimpse our best selves and compare that to a world where we lose everything of ourselves to AI. We are glorious creations that revel in agency, freedom and creativity. What do innovations such as cars that don’t need us to drive and creative AIs that remove the effort of, say, writing or music making mean in this context? Further, with a future being forged by limited perspectives, how can human diversity inform better AI for all?
Work, Out of Reach | Gresham College
Work, Out of Reach | Gresham College
Right now, the technological challenge we are most likely to face in the labour market is ‘frictional’ technological unemployment – where there is plenty of work available, but not enough people are able to do it. This lecture explores the phenomenon and its main causes – that people might lack the right skills for the work, not live in the place where the work is created, or have an identity that is at odds with the nature of the work.
That's Not Funny: The Ethics of Satire | Gresham College
That's Not Funny: The Ethics of Satire | Gresham College
It used to be taken for granted that satire uses nasty means to good ends: it ridicules its targets in order to bring about reform. However, in recent years, the role of satire has been challenged and satirists themselves have quite literally come under attack. Some shocking incidents have prompted serious debate about the relations between free speech and hate speech. This lecture will consider the rights and wrongs of satire in a historical context and in the light of our present situation.
Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare’s Mathematical Life and Times
Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare’s Mathematical Life and Times
Shakespeare lived in a period of exciting mathematical innovations – from arithmetic to astronomy, probability to music. Remarkably, many of those innovations are mentioned, or at least hinted at, in his plays. Rob Eastaway explores the surprising ways in which mathematical ideas connect with Shakespeare and reveals that the playwright could be as creative with numbers as he was with words. Along the way, we discover surprising new mathematical insights into the Elizabethan world.
The Price of Pixels: Unmasking the Environmental Impact of Our Digital Lives
The Price of Pixels: Unmasking the Environmental Impact of Our Digital Lives
Our digital world's convenience masks a heavy environmental cost. This lecture explores the destructive rare earth mineral mining powering our devices, the vast energy consumption of data centres fuelling climate change, and the toxic e-waste contaminating our environment and harming human health. From resource extraction to digital consumption, we'll uncover the environmental trade-offs of our tech-dependent lives and discuss pathways towards a sustainable digital future that minimizes degradation, protects health, and mitigates climate change.
Changes in the Concept of Autism
Changes in the Concept of Autism
Our understanding of autism has changed over the last forty years. Historically, autism was diagnosed based on narrow criteria. Today, while still defined by social and communication difficulties, rigid interests and repetitive behaviours, the autism spectrum is far wider, and the historical under-diagnosis of women and girls is being addressed. ‘Autisms’ are more often discussed as neurodivergence rather than a single ‘disorder’ to be treated. This lecture explores how our understanding of autism has changed, and directions for future research.
Climate Risk and Insurance
Climate Risk and Insurance
Why did coastal homeowners lose insurance while UK energy bills spiked after Russia’s invasion? Because risks started moving together. In this lecture, Professor Raghavendra Rau shows how climate extremes and geopolitics create synchronised shocks that overwhelm insurers and energy suppliers, pushing up premiums and bills. He discusses the basics of risk pooling, why it breaks under correlation, and what realistic fixes look like—from parametric policies and better building standards to smarter hedging and targeted support.
Peacebuilding through the Visual Arts
Peacebuilding through the Visual Arts
How can the visual arts be used to promote peace? Professor Mitchell investigates how the visual arts can not only incite violence, but also bear witness, reveal dangerous memories, transform violence, contribute to healing trauma and imagine more hopeful futures. Examples are taken from both current conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine) and past wars (Paul Nash and Otto Dix in the First World War, local artists in the Iran-Iraq War and the 1984 Rwandan genocide). Professor Mitchell analyses the ambivalent role of the visual arts in building peace.
The Later Years: Organisation, Independence and Peace of Mind
The Later Years: Organisation, Independence and Peace of Mind
How should we get organised for our later years? With just a little preparation while we are fit and healthy, we can express our wishes for more difficult times. There are simple and positive options to be followed. Not just a will and lasting power of attorney, but simple steps to being independent longer, staying at home longer and enjoying life longer. A little thought now, and hopefully with discussion with family members, will provide reassurance and peace of mind for all.
Life, Death and Judgement in the Art and Times of Hieronymus Bosch (d. 1516)
Life, Death and Judgement in the Art and Times of Hieronymus Bosch (d. 1516)
This lecture looks at the 'surreal' art of the Early Netherlandish painter Jheronimus Bosch within its historical and cultural context. Although Bosch’s terrifying visions of sin, death, and the hereafter may appear surreal today, especially his highly imaginative depictions of devils, they were tied to the religious attitudes and moralising texts of the period, such as the Ars moriendi, the Dance of Death, and Everyman. It is in this context that one should examine Bosch’s Haywain Triptych, Garden of Earthly Delights, and other works.
Donald Trump and the Death Penalty
Donald Trump and the Death Penalty
Music of Animals
Music of Animals
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