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.
Technology & The City
Who's the biggest threat to your identity? You
"If you don't accept responsibility for your own data and security, it's like pinning your personal details to a lamp post and hoping no-one will read them," says Brian Contos, chief security officer at ArcSight
Davey Winder, PC PRO, 13 May 2007
"If you don't accept responsibility for your own data and security, it's like pinning your personal details to a lamp post and hoping no-one will read them," says Brian Contos, chief security officer at ArcSight
Davey Winder, PC PRO, 13 May 2007
Scenes from New London
While a director can sometimes visually refresh a city by being first to new parts, what's startling about two new horror movies is that they make familiar places strange
Mark Lawson, Guardian, 10 May 2007
While a director can sometimes visually refresh a city by being first to new parts, what's startling about two new horror movies is that they make familiar places strange
Mark Lawson, Guardian, 10 May 2007
You're so intelligent
An insecure lot, designers are desperate to be taken seriously as a force for good in the world. But what they really need is to be valued for what they're good at; making things look pretty
Michael Bierut, Design observer, 8 May 2007
An insecure lot, designers are desperate to be taken seriously as a force for good in the world. But what they really need is to be valued for what they're good at; making things look pretty
Michael Bierut, Design observer, 8 May 2007
Pop-up Cities: China Builds a Bright Green Metropolis
China is putting forward a radical new approach to urban design, one that suggests that cities can actually get greener as they grow
Douglas McGray, Wired, 23 April 2007
China is putting forward a radical new approach to urban design, one that suggests that cities can actually get greener as they grow
Douglas McGray, Wired, 23 April 2007
The blogosphere risks putting off everyone but point-scoring males
The internet is too often like a stuffy meeting room on a bad night
Jonathan Freedland, Guardian, 10 April 2007
The internet is too often like a stuffy meeting room on a bad night
Jonathan Freedland, Guardian, 10 April 2007
1000 words: a manifesto for sustainability in design
'We think that we're in the artifact business, but we're not; we're in the consequence business'
Allan Chochinov, Core77, 31 March 2007
'We think that we're in the artifact business, but we're not; we're in the consequence business'
Allan Chochinov, Core77, 31 March 2007
The Architecture of Happiness
What makes a house truly beautiful? Why are many new houses so ugly? Why do we argue so bitterly about sofas and pictures; and can differences of taste ever be satisfactorily resolved? Will minimalism make us happier than ornaments?
Alain de Botton, Penguin, 29 March 2007
It may start as an innocent flirtation, but be warned, you too could become a lonely Myspace addict
Myspace: a place to post countless photos of yourself doing stupid, inane poses and write gushing blogs for others to read?
Peaches Geldof, Guardian, 29 March 2007
Myspace: a place to post countless photos of yourself doing stupid, inane poses and write gushing blogs for others to read?
Peaches Geldof, Guardian, 29 March 2007
What's the point of the social sciences?
"The Battle of Ideas is a global treasure. Bringing together some of the world's leading thinkers for civil dialogue on an array of topics, the festival is a must-see for those deeply committed to the free exchange of ideas."
Fredrick C. Harris, professor of political science, Columbia University
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