
Best of the Spectator
Spectator Out Loud: Loyd Grossman, Tanya Gold, Harry Halem, Angus Colwell, Philippe Sands and Michael Simmons
Feb 1, 2025
Loyd Grossman, a cultural figure and heritage advocate, passionately pleads for the preservation of Britain's cathedrals. Harry Halem warns that the country is ill-prepared for AI warfare in light of recent defense reviews. Philosophy meets personal life as Angus Colwell interviews Agnes Callard about her unconventional lifestyle. Philippe Sands examines the challenges of the international criminal justice system in his review of Steve Crawshaw's book, highlighting its foundational issues while defending its purpose.
44:53
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Quick takeaways
- Loyd Grossman stresses the urgent need to preserve Britain's historic cathedrals, emphasizing their cultural significance and the role of effective leadership in their maintenance.
- Harry Halem highlights Britain's military unpreparedness for AI warfare, advocating for a comprehensive Strategic Defence Review to address emerging technological challenges.
Deep dives
The Preservation of Britain's Cathedrals
Lloyd Grossman emphasizes the urgent need to preserve Britain's historic cathedrals, highlighting their significance as cultural treasures. He discusses his participation in Christmas concerts to raise funds for these institutions, specifically crediting the Bristol Cathedral for its efforts in improving conditions despite rising maintenance costs. Grossman raises concerns about the Church of England's capacity to effectively manage and care for these architectural masterpieces, suggesting that leadership plays a crucial role in their future. He draws a parallel between the decay of historical buildings and the decline of long-standing restaurants in London, lamenting the loss of cultural heritage on multiple fronts.
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