Reading for Battle
Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.
Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.
Science & Environment
An introduction to epigenetics
DNA is a vitally important starting point for life, but it's how it's used by cells and organisms that is really important.
Nessa Carey, Royal Institution, 2015
DNA is a vitally important starting point for life, but it's how it's used by cells and organisms that is really important.
Nessa Carey, Royal Institution, 2015
Living longer is a cause for celebration
The ageing population is a challenge, not a threat.
Ella Whelan, spiked, 23 September 2015
The ageing population is a challenge, not a threat.
Ella Whelan, spiked, 23 September 2015
There is a moral case for fossil fuels
Alex Epstein tells spiked why we need to celebrate our impact on nature
Tim Black, spiked, August 2015
Alex Epstein tells spiked why we need to celebrate our impact on nature
Tim Black, spiked, August 2015
Green Belt myths
Recent reports focus on weakening Green Belt protection to allow greater freedom for large housebuilders. However, the arguments within these reports are based on a highly selective reading of the relevant evidence, and give little consideration to the wide range of benefits provided by Green Belt policy. These myths urgently need to be challenged.
Campaign to Protect Rural England, August 2015
Recent reports focus on weakening Green Belt protection to allow greater freedom for large housebuilders. However, the arguments within these reports are based on a highly selective reading of the relevant evidence, and give little consideration to the wide range of benefits provided by Green Belt policy. These myths urgently need to be challenged.
Campaign to Protect Rural England, August 2015
The Anthropocene: A manmade epoch
An anti-human agenda lies behind the advocacy of a new geological epoch.
Alex Standish, spiked, 22 April 2015
An anti-human agenda lies behind the advocacy of a new geological epoch.
Alex Standish, spiked, 22 April 2015
Megacities are bad for the developing world
Debating Matters' acclaimed Topic Guides place debates in a social context
Craig Fairnington & Joel Cohen, Debating Matters, 11 April 2015
Debating Matters' acclaimed Topic Guides place debates in a social context
Craig Fairnington & Joel Cohen, Debating Matters, 11 April 2015
Is Big Data squishing our humanity?
The use of new technologies is turning us into objects of analysis, examination and manipulation.
Norman Lewis, spiked, 15 October 2014
The use of new technologies is turning us into objects of analysis, examination and manipulation.
Norman Lewis, spiked, 15 October 2014
Six reasons why we should build on the green belt
The public perception of the green belt is out of step with reality. It's not all green and pleasant land
Colin Wiles, Guardian, 21 May 2014
The public perception of the green belt is out of step with reality. It's not all green and pleasant land
Colin Wiles, Guardian, 21 May 2014
What's the point of the social sciences?
"The Battle of Ideas is an entertaining and provocative think-jam. At the 2012 event, we didn’t quite solve the world’s problems, but we certainly got part of the way there"
Christine Murray, editor, Architects' Journal
follow the Academy of Ideas
