Anvil Discussion Group

I will give a talk entitled: “Emergent infections: we’ve had Covid, what can we expect next?”, followed by the usual discussion, during which I hope people will air their views on the measures that were taken during the last pandemic and how they may be improved to deal with future pandemics.

Anvil is a discussion group held in Martock. We discuss serious, sometimes controversial, issues of current importance, in the areas of philosophy, science and current affairs (although the latter will not be party political). We aim to be intellectually stimulating and relevant to important issues rather than just entertaining. We meet from 10am to 12noon on the fourth Friday of the month in the Function Room of The George coffee shop. There is no subscription, committee, nor any other type of cumbersome bureaucracy, and our organisation is gender balanced, but we intend to levy a charge of £3 to £5 at each meeting to cover room rental and refreshments, depending on attendance. We aim for understanding and education in its broadest sense, rather than just social interaction.

The format in all cases will be a talk during the first period, followed by a short refreshment break, then a discussion period which should be non-confrontational and aimed at understanding arguments even if you disagree, and expressing your own opinions in a tolerant manner.

Our future programme is as follows:
October 31st – Artificial Intelligence – Mark Regal. (Note change to 5th Friday).
November 28th – The Golden Rule: Lessons in living from a geriatrician – Lucy Pollock. Based on her recent book on healthy ageing.
December: no meeting.

To join, come to a meeting (advertised in Martock Chat on Facebook and the Nextdoor app) or contact Prof Greg Atkins by email (we do not use paper posters).

gatkins@tcd.ie

to be put on the mailing list.

More information regarding past meetings and our current and past programme can be obtained on our website:

http://www.johnbaxter.org/