Cosmo

Brabus

YouTube version: https://youtu.be/mc-W9IMOv8Y

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Inaugural talk of Modern Dissent series, given by Prof. Eric Kaufmann on Wednesday, 28th February 2024 at Conway Hall in London

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:56 Lecture
01:09:22 Q&A

Apologies for the audio clipping and the last few questions not getting included. We're still learning with AV, and future recordings are sure to be better!

# Speaker

*Eric Kaufmann* is Professor of Politics at the University of Buckingham (formerly at Birkbeck, University of London). He is the author of the acclaimed 2018 book _Whiteshift: Immigration, Populism and the Future of White Majorities_ among others. His upcoming book, _Taboo: How Making Race Sacred Produced a Cultural Revolution_, is due to be published in May of this year. He has also written for The Telegraph, The New Statesman, The Critic, City Journal, UnHerd, and Quillette.

# Topic

*Taboo: Liberalism, not Cultural Marxism, Explains Woke*

_Woke is the sacralisation of historically marginalised race, gender and sexual identity groups, and woke cultural socialism seeks equal outcomes and emotional harm protection for such groups. ‘Microaggressions’, trigger warnings, ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ initiatives – this movement’s many manifestations make it impossible to ignore today. This talk, foreshadowing arguments made in Eric’s new book, Taboo, argues that it is modern liberalism, not post-Marxist radicalism, that holds the key to understanding the woke phenomenon. The ongoing rise of woke is about incremental guilt- and compassion-driven ratcheting, not utopian revolution. For this reason, admonishing elite institutions about cancel culture and neo-Marxist radicalism will not stop the juggernaut. The post-2021 retreat from peak woke has been partial, and if history is a guide, it will be followed by a consolidation phase before the next surge. Woke will be carried forth by indoctrinated new generations and can only be stopped by deconstructing the left-liberal taboos and myths which underpin the hegemonic ideology of our time._

"Taboo: Liberalism, not Cultural Marxism, Explains Woke" – Prof. Eric Kaufmann

YouTube version: https://youtu.be/tXvAwQ3vFZw

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Second talk of Modern Dissent series, given by Prof. Nigel Biggar on Thursday, 27th June 2024 at The Art Workers' Guild in London

00:00:00 Introduction
00:08:53 Talk
00:55:32 Q&A

# Speaker

*Nigel Biggar* is Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford, a post in which he served from 2007 to 2022. He is the author of the acclaimed books _In Defence of War_, _What’s Wrong with Rights?_, and most recently _Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning_. He has also written articles for various newspapers and journals, including The Times, The Telegraph, and The Spectator.

# Topic

*Deconstructing Decolonisation: what it is, why it matters, and why it’s (mostly) wrong*

The ‘decolonisation’ movement assumes that the colonial record of the West is simply a litany of racism, exploitation, and oppression of ‘black’ victims by ‘white’ victimisers. As a matter of historical fact, this is false. But when ‘decolonisers’ are confronted with contrary evidence, they rarely react with sceptical curiosity or robust argument. Instead, anyone criticising the claims of the decolonisers can expect to meet with anger, insults and outrage mobs. Why is this? If the decolonisation movement isn't driven by a rational appraisal of the merits of empire, what is it being driven by?

"Deconstructing Decolonisation" – Prof. Nigel Biggar

Modern Dissent

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