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.
Arts & Culture
The Rise of Visual Content and the Fall of Attention Spans
Over the past few years visual content has risen to the top as a preferred form of social media content. Seeing is believing, and in 2015 this visual trend will continue and strengthen as our attention spans weaken.
Lori McNee, Fine Art Tips, 13 January 2015
Over the past few years visual content has risen to the top as a preferred form of social media content. Seeing is believing, and in 2015 this visual trend will continue and strengthen as our attention spans weaken.
Lori McNee, Fine Art Tips, 13 January 2015
The Importance of Scaring Children
The long tradition of moral ambiguity and unhappy endings in kids' fiction returns with Evangeline Lilly's The Squickerwonkers.
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 November 2014
The long tradition of moral ambiguity and unhappy endings in kids' fiction returns with Evangeline Lilly's The Squickerwonkers.
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 November 2014
How Shakespeare influences the way we speak now
Even if you’ve never seen a Shakespeare play, you’ll have used one of his words or phrases. Hephzibah Anderson explains his genius – and enduring influence.
Hephzibah Anderson, BBC, 21 October 2014
Even if you’ve never seen a Shakespeare play, you’ll have used one of his words or phrases. Hephzibah Anderson explains his genius – and enduring influence.
Hephzibah Anderson, BBC, 21 October 2014
Is art installation Exhibit B racist?
Following accusations of exploitation and racism, the Barbican decided to close down the live art installation Exhibit B. Were the protests justified?
Stella Odunlami and Kehinde Andrews, Guardian, 27 September 2014
Following accusations of exploitation and racism, the Barbican decided to close down the live art installation Exhibit B. Were the protests justified?
Stella Odunlami and Kehinde Andrews, Guardian, 27 September 2014
Our Dreams Don't Fit In Your Ballot Boxes: When Art Mingles With Life - Part II
Rui Mourão, Artecapital, 22 September 2014
Rui Mourão, Artecapital, 22 September 2014
There is no longer a need for public libraries
Debating Matters' acclaimed Topic Guides place debates in a social context
Justine Brian, Debating Matters, 22 August 2014
Debating Matters' acclaimed Topic Guides place debates in a social context
Justine Brian, Debating Matters, 22 August 2014
Guidelines for the International Cultural Boycott of Israel
The cultural boycott campaign against apartheid South Africa has been a major source of inspiration in formulating the Palestinian boycott calls and their criteria, despite some crucial differences. In particular, the Palestinian boycott, unlike the South African cultural boycott, is institutional and does not target individuals as such.
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, July 2014
The cultural boycott campaign against apartheid South Africa has been a major source of inspiration in formulating the Palestinian boycott calls and their criteria, despite some crucial differences. In particular, the Palestinian boycott, unlike the South African cultural boycott, is institutional and does not target individuals as such.
Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, July 2014
Democracy Has Bad Taste
In the first of four lectures, recorded in front of an audience at Tate Modern in London, the artist Grayson Perry reflects on the idea of quality and examines who and what defines what we see and value as art.
Grayson Perry, BBC Radio 4, 15 October 2013
In the first of four lectures, recorded in front of an audience at Tate Modern in London, the artist Grayson Perry reflects on the idea of quality and examines who and what defines what we see and value as art.
Grayson Perry, BBC Radio 4, 15 October 2013
Occupy: illusory radicalism?
"I have been doing the Battle of Ideas for a couple of years, but never before have I felt so heartened and so alive as the day ended. The spectacle of so many fascinating minds, none too proud to agree, none too modern to disagree, all at work on the most important questions of this rocky period: it's enough to make you believe there's hope for the species, yet."
Zoe Williams, columnist, Guardian; author, What Not to Expect When You're Expecting
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