Mike Foster
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The Socialist Party’s Summer School on Technology is to be held over the long weekend 7th – 9th August at Fircroft College in Birmingham. The event will look at technological progress and its application in the past, present and future. Talks will be announced over the coming months.
<p class=”yiv5864204741ydp3fe33764yiv2300308599ydpce81083dMsoNormal”>From the development of the first tools and the wheel through to the invention of the printing press, the steam engine, the microprocessor and beyond, technology has always shaped how we live. Scientific developments take place in the context of the social and economic conditions of the time. In capitalism, technological progress and how technology is used are driven by what is profitable and cost effective more than by what is really needed and wanted. This means that technology is often used in ways which go against our best interests, whether through environmental damage, the development of ever-more destructive weapons or the misuse of data gathered online and through social media. In a future socialist society based on common ownership and democratic organisation of industries and services, technology could really be used to benefit us, in harmony with the environment.</p>
<p class=”yiv5864204741ydp3fe33764yiv2300308599ydpce81083dMsoNormal”>Full residential cost (including accommodation and meals Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) is £100, and the concessionary rate is £50. Day visitors are welcome, but please book in advance.</p>
<p class=”yiv5864204741ydp3fe33764yiv2300308599ydpce81083dMsoNormal”>E-mail enquiries should be sent to spgbschool@yahoo.co.uk. To book a place online, go to spgb.net/summer-school-2020 or send a cheque (payable to the Socialist Party of Great Britain) with your contact details to Summer School, The Socialist Party, 52 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7UN.</p>The link to the footage of Andy doesn’t work now that the programme’s been taken off the BBC iPlayer, unfortunately. Does anyone know another way to watch it?
Just a reminder that voting for next year’s Summer School topic over on the new Spintcom closes at the end of November. Not long left!
I’m still finding my way round it, too!
If you’re on the Home page, click on ‘messages’ on the menu to the left, and you’ll see the threads. On the Summer School poll thread, you just tick whichever box to cast your vote. I hope this helps.
At the EC meeting, the rationale behind this motion was that head office requires more than just a tidy up but a deep clean which an outside agency would be best to do. The motion is only to look into the matter, and not to definitely go ahead with this. I voted against it, for much the same reasons as given by others above.
It’s old news now, but here’s a hustings which was recorded for posterity: Watch “European Movement, Oxford. Hustings for European Parliamentary Elections. Oxford, 17 May 2019” on YouTube
Thanks for the updates and the photos, Dave. I was really happy with how the weekend went, and from what people were saying, it sounds like everyone had an enjoyable time too. There’s always a relaxed and positive vibe to Summer School, and this year was no exception. My thanks go to Edmund, Janet, Howard, Carla and Bill for their thought-provoking presentations, and to everyone who came along. There were around 40 of us there, including quite a few non-members and those for whom this was their first Summer School. Hopefully it won’t be their last! I’ll put together a more detailed report for ADM, and start to look into Summer School 2020…
Bookings for Summer School will close at the end of this coming Saturday (the 20th). So if anyone else wants to come along, make a booking here: https://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/summer-school-2019/
There aren’t many places left at Summer School now, so if you’re thinking of making a booking, best do it soon! To book a place, visit here: https://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/summer-school-2019/Here are the timings for the Summer School sessions:
Friday 2nd August
From 17.00: Arrival
18.30 – 19.00: Dinner
19.45—21.30: Be Realistic: Demand The Inevitable – a talk by Edmund Griffiths
21.30: Social
Saturday 3rd August
7.30 – 8.45: Breakfast
10.00 – 12.00: Living In Capitalism As A Socialist – a talk by Janet Surman
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch
13.45 – 15.45: ‘Team Human’: Can You Live A ‘Socialist’ Life In Capitalism? – a talk by Howard Moss
18.30 – 19.00: Dinner
19.15—20.45: Socialists Synonymous – An Evening Of Personal Stories – facilitated by Carla Dee
20.45: Social
Sunday 4th August
7.30 – 8.45: Breakfast
10.00 – 12.00: Ye Olde Worlde Revolution – a talk by Bill Martin
12.30 – 13.15: Lunch
13.30: Close
People are welcome to just attend the talks, but need to book a visitor place in advance by emailing spgbschool@yahoo.co.uk; there is a charge for any meals.
Bookings will close on 21<sup>st</sup> July, or earlier if all places are filled.
The event will also include an exhibition, exclusive publications and a bookstall.
