... are the
guest speakers scheduled for the 143rd meeting of the Karl Hess Club, to
convene on May 15, 2006.
Brad Linaweaver & Thomas
M. Sipos on "The Libertarian Effect on Culture: How Influential Are We?"
Brad Linaweaver and Thomas
M. Sipos agree: Politics is rooted in culture.
People's values and beliefs affect
how they vote and which leaders they trust. And those values and
beliefs are influenced by culture. By the film, TV, theater, books,
music, and art that people consume. It's fruitless to try and influence
politics if one ignores culture.
But how effective have libertarians
been in influencing culture?
Brad Linaweaver believes the glass
is half full. He will relate the significant progress libertarians
have made over the years in the media and arts, including his own experiences
in the effort.
Thomas M. Sipos believes the glass
is half empty. He will argue that influencing culture is more challenging
than merely inserting libertarian messages into a work, because (1) people
interpret art according to their own beliefs, and (2) filter out messages
hostile to those beliefs.
After their presentations, this
debate will likely devolve into a discussion on how libertarians can influence
culture, and the obstacles they face in the effort. Audience suggestions
are welcome.
Club members seeking an advance
peek at some of the issues in the upcoming May meeting may wish to read
Sipos's article: The
Need for Conservative & Libertarian Arts Funding.
About Brad Linaweaver
& Thomas M. Sipos
These two longtime KHC attendees
likely need no introduction.
Brad Linaweaver is one of the
original founders of the Karl Hess Club. He's a prolific writer,
probably best known for his Prometheus Award winning alternate history, Moon
of Ice. He's also a screenwriter and actor, and has recently
written
an alternate history of the Spanish Civil War, Anarquia. He publishes Mondo Cult.
Thomas M. Sipos is the author
of the anti-Communist satire, Vampire
Nation and publisher of the Hollywood
Investigator. He's performed comedy improv and appeared in dozens
of films as a SAG extra. His essays on horror film aesthetics appear
in Halloween
Candy. He's founder of horror film's Tabloid
Witch Awards.
ADDENDUM: David Harmon
took these photos at the above meeting.
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