How We Became Postmodern
Postmodernism stood for everything modernism rejected: fun, exuberance, irresponsibility. But beneath its glitzy surface, postmodernism had a dirty secret: it was the fig leaf for a rapacious new kind of capitalism. It was the forcing ground of “post truth,” by means of which western values were turned upside down. But where do these ideas come […]
Mistress Ethics – On the Virtues of Sexual Kindness
Sexual kindness is (sort of) ethical. – Victoria Brooks The figure of the mistress is undoubtedly controversial. She provokes intense reactions, ranging from fear, to disgust and revulsion, to excitement and titillation, to sadness and perhaps to some, love. Of course, she is a woman that you would not have as your friend, and certainly not […]
Losing It – Sex Education for the 21st Century
Clueless about everything from her own anatomy to relationships, Sophia Smith Galer’s sex education classes left her with more questions than answers. But what she didn’t know was that this lack of knowledge was about to turn her life upside down – as it does to countless people in the UK every year. Thanks to inadequate […]
What’s Wrong with the House of Commons?
The House of Commons is increasingly held in contempt by the British public. From attending parties during the Covid-19 lockdown to taking payment for lobbying, MPs undermine their credibility by acting as if the rules they set for others should not apply to them. Still far from representative of the country they govern from the ancient and crumbling Palace […]
Callum Smart, Ben Goldscheider & Richard Uttley
A trio comprising three leading young musicians, this performance culminates in Brahms’ trio for horn, violin and piano, written to commemorate the death of the composer’s mother. Along the way we explore other colourful works for this interesting combination of instruments, including the trio’s own arrangement of the overture from Humperdinck’s fairytale opera. The horn […]
The Generation Myth – Why When You’re Born Matters Less Than You Think
Acclaimed social researcher Bobby Duffy argues we need to drop the stereotypes and focus on more rigorous generational analysis – one of our most powerful tools for understanding how individuals and societies change, and something which is even more important in light of the Covid-19 crisis, a truly generation-shaping event. His book, Generations, draws on data from over 3 million […]
Douglas Stuart: The Exclusive London Launch of Young Mungo
Picador is proud to present this exclusive London event in association with akt and Newham Bookshop. Douglas Stuart’s debut novel Shuggie Bain won the 2020 Booker Prize and has gone on to be a huge global bestseller. At this, the exclusive London event on his UK tour, Douglas will read from and discuss his extraordinarily […]
Compassion in a Time of Covid: Bridging the Gap Between Opposing Viewpoints
Central London Humanists (CLH) are pleased to welcome Dr Rebekah Honey as she attempts to answer the question: Can compassion bridge the gap between opposing viewpoints? Compassion-Focused Therapy is a means to improving mental health and contentment. What can this approach teach us about understanding and persuading others? Dr Rebekah Honey is a Clinical Psychologist […]
Ethical Matters: Losing It – Sex Education for the 21st Century
Clueless about everything from her own anatomy to relationships, Sophia Smith Galer’s sex education classes left her with more questions than answers. But what she didn’t know was that this lack of knowledge was about to turn her life upside down – as it does to countless people in the UK every year. Thanks to inadequate […]