Battles in Print & Culture Wars

Battles in Print are specially-commissioned essays that explore topics being discussed at the Battle of Ideas 2008, serving as introductions to the debate and encouraging further reflection. Battles in Print take a variety of forms, from short provocation essays to longer think pieces and interviews, and are available both online and in print at the festival itself. They are complemented by themed book reviews on Culture Wars, the Academy of Ideas' online review, which was relaunched this summer.

Editors: Dolan Cummings and Sarah Boyes

The 2008 Battles in Print are now available below. Select a theme on the left to see related Battles in Print from the archive.

 Science & Environment

Take flight!, Timandra Harkness

Solving the energy crisis: is it all about light bulbs and lifestyles? , Professor Jacquie Burgess

A New Nuclear Age – could clean nuclear power help supply our energy needs?, Professor Sandra Chapman

Why is energy a battlefield today?, Duncan McLaren

Shaping social policy: designers and health, Martyn Perks, Maja Kecman, Lynne Maher, Jason Mesut and Alastair Donald

Debating Matters head-to-head on space exploration: man not machine should explore space, Daniel Green and Charlotte Blair

The dubious science of evolutionary psychology, Carl Ratner

What neuroscience cannot tell us about humanity, David Perks

Longer, healthier, happier? Human needs, human values and science, Raymond Tallis

Particle physics is sexy!, David Perks

Climate science: truth you can wear on your hands, Stuart Blackman and Ben Pile

Recycling: Reducing waste or waste of time?, Martin Earnshaw

Waking Up to Coal, Dave O'Toole

Nature's revenge?, Joe Kaplsinsky

Nature knows best? - the organic food debate, Rob Lyons

Save the planet; don't see the world?, David Soskin

The problem with carbon, Richard Rees

Risk aversion in the 21st century, Tony Gilland

What does sustainability mean for the developing world?, Peter Martin

What do we want from science?, Thomas Deichmann

Human enhancement: creating superhumans or dicing with our destinies?, Stuart Derbyshire

The Age of the Uber-Athlete, Jon Entine

Reaching for the stars - realising the ambitions of the space age, Henry J McCracken

 Festival Buzz

"The audience were the stars of the Battle of Ideas - engaged, informed and enthusiastic. As a panellist, I felt both ashamed and educated. Exactly as it should be."
John Street, professor of politics, University of East Anglia