FED – Ideas Worth Sustaining
On July 11, TEDGlobal will host its first conference in Edinburgh. ‘The Stuff of Life’ is the theme: for just $6,000 you can listen to Philip Blond wax lyrical on the Big Society, Niall Ferguson present his version of history and have a chance to grab a drink with Alain de Botton.
But what if you don’t have six grand spare to mingle? Or would rather participate in a space that radically rethinks – and influences – how we live our lives today?
Presented by Realpolitik and Bella Caledonia, ‘FED – Ideas Worth Sustaining’ is a homegrown alternative to the increasingly corporate TED model. This one-day event takes place at Inspace, University of Edinburgh on July 9 and will feature talks, discussions, videos and, most importantly, ideas for a sustainable future for both humans and the planet.
FED is an agora for ideas and debate. The SNP’s landslide election victory last month reflected, in part, the desire for a wider vision of Scottish society: FED is about providing ideas about these futures. Of course, Scotland is not divorced from its wider context and the line-up for FED will reflect this, too.
Speakers on the day will include Gerry Hassan, Robin McAlpine, Lorna Waite and our own Kevin Williamson. There will also be space for the public to pitch ideas and suggestions and a participative section dedicated to play (not to mention tea and cake in the afternoon and drinks at close).
FED will kick off at 1.30pm. A full schedule for the day – and details of how to book tickets – will be on-line shortly but for now mark the date in your diaries. And do spread the word (and follow us on Twitter @unholyrood).
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