The Wire’s David Simon Headlines Festival Of Dangerous Ideas 2013

Rhetoric renegades and philosophical provocateurs collide in the impressive group of speakers attending this year’s Festival Of Dangerous Ideas at the Sydney Opera House. Of most interest and excitement to us here at Pedestrian HQ is the announcement of The Wire and Treme creator, showrunner and writer David Simon, who will look at the “reality of American life” and offer his thoughts on why some people are more equal than others.

Other highlights include sage Savage Love sex columnist Dan Savage, Belurusian technology savant Evgeny Morozov and environmental and anti-globalisation activist Vandana Shiva. Local speakers include Melbourne comedian and professional envelope pusher John Safran, The Slap author Christos Tsiolkas and local journalists Joe Hildebrand and Annabel Crabb.

Over 80 speakers from 10 countries will discuss topics such as our exponential reliance on modern technology, the war on drugs, the justice system, The Death of Journalism, the rise of women and the death of the American dream. Lots of talking about the death of stuff, apparently. I guess that’s why it’s so dangerous.    

The event takes place from November 2 – 4 at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney.

Multipack tickets go on sale Monday 2 September, 8am. Single tickets go on sale Wednesday 4 September, 8am. Bot can be purchased via sydneyoperahouse.com/FODI or 9250 7777.

FODO will also host a satellite event in Melboure at the Wheeler Centre with appearances by Savage and Simon as well as  sociologist Arlie Hochschild, the Atlantic’s Hanna Rosin and writer, director and producer Kirby Ferguson.

The Wheeler Centre presents The Pop-Up Festival of Dangerous Ideas Sunday
3 November, Sessions from 11.30am, Princess Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets $100 festival pass (all sessions) or $20 per session (David Simon $35) at wheelercentre.com  
Savage Advice: Dan Savage: 11:30pm – 12:30pm
We Have Outsourced Ourselves: Arlie Hochschild: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
This Is Not a Conspiracy Theory: Kirby Ferguson: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
The End of Men: Hanna Rosin: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Some People Are More Equal Than Others: David Simon: 8:00pm – 9:15pm

FESTIVAL OF DANGEROUS IDEAS 2013
DAVID SIMON
HANNA ROSIN
EVGENY MOROZOV 
VANDANA SHIVA
LAWRENCE KRAUSS
PETER ROLLINS
PETER HITCHENS
ARLIE HOCHSCHILD
DAN SAVAGE
KIRBY FERGUSON
JOHN SAFRAN
ERWIN JAMES
PETER MOSKOS
MUSTAFA BARGOUTHI
CONRAD BLACK
MALCOLM KNOX
CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS
PATRICIA EDGAR
DENNIS ALTMAN
JAMES FALLOWS
JOE HILDEBRAND
JAMES O’LOGHLIN
JULIAN BURNSIDE
CHRIS BERG
EMILY MAGUIRE
SIMRAN SETHI

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