The truth hurts. We cannot always acknowledge our desires – even to ourselves. So we deny them. And sometimes we go further: The term ‘denialism’ describes a cluster of ‘alternative’ forms of knowledge, including Holocaust denial, global warming denial, anti-vaxxers, 911 conspiracism, creationism and more. Denialism has been part of the political landscape for decades, but now some (like Donald Trump) are going further, transitioning to ‘post-denialism’ in which almost anything goes.

Why do we deny? How does denialism work and why is post-denialism replacing it? And how can they be combatted? In this talk, Keith Kahn-Harris, author of Denial: The Unspeakable Truth, argues that a solution will only be possible when we come to terms with the truth of our darker desires.

£3 donation to cover speaker expenses and sundries. 

The bar is reserved from 5pm for SitP attendees to buy food and drinks well in advance of the talks