29 May 2024

Up, up and away for the De Beauvoir Balloon Debates

Over 65 people attended the latest De Beauvoir Balloon Debate for an inspired and thought-provoking discussion on three issues chosen by different speakers.

The concept, in which audience members vote for the idea that most appeals – and that they would most like to take away in a hot air balloon – has proved hugely popular, with The Block being the perfect venue to host the debates.

John Armstrong, a Reader in Financial Mathematics at King’s College, London and a campaigner for academic freedom, set the tone for the evening with his amusing wit and charisma and won the audience over with his presentation entitled “In defence of being wrong.”

The other speakers were London-based performance coach L.A. Worley, author of the Healthy High Performance Way, and Lexi Ellingsworth, a co-founder of the campaign group Stop Surrogacy Now UK and a campaigner for women, children and human rights.

The title of L.A. Worley’s talk was “Breathe in to breathe out,” while Lexi spoke out of “Surrogacy at what price?”

The discussions encouraged the engaged audience members to get involved and ask challenging questions to the speakers.

Sarah Dallas, the Debate Organiser, said the debate was one of the liveliest and most thoughtful, with one guest saying that this was her favourite event in London!  

Sarah added: “Dr Armstrong, the maths professor who spoke first, was extremely witty and funny, which set the tone for good vibes and laughter.”  She thanked The Benyon Estate and De Beauvoir Block staff for their support for the evening.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next De Beauvoir Balloon Debate coming this autumn. For more updates, follow @debeauvoir.debates on Instagram.

Don’t forget to check The Block website for the latest updates and events: www.debeauvoirblock.com/.

Photos copyright © De Beauvoir Block // Joel Rodriquez