A debate motion for the iPad/Kindle/Twitter/Facebook era.
Intelligence Squared Asia proudly present their next event in Hong Kong, “The Internet Is
Making Us Stupid,” on 28 October 2010.
In a classic analogue face-to-face debate, key figures in today’s new media landscape square off on the issues: How do we define “quality of life” in the Internet age? In what ways does the Internet impact concentration, happiness and real-life social networking? What does the web mean for real innovation and creativity? How does the omnipresence of the web increase personal liberty in countries like China where there is official regulation?
Speakers for the motion “The Internet is Making Us Stupid” are: Jeremy O’Grady (Editor of London’s The Week magazine) and Thomas Crampton (Asia Pacific Director of Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence). Against: Jimmy Wales (Founder of Wikipedia) and Kaiser Kuo (Director of International Communications, Baidu). Joanne Ooi, CEO of Clean Air Network, will moderate the debate.
Deutsche Bank is the lead sponsor of the 2010 IQ2 Asia debate series, consistent with its longstanding global commitment to promoting cultural vibrancy in the markets in which it conducts business.
“The Internet Is Making Us Stupid” will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday, October 28, 2010. For the latest information please check www.intelligencesquared.asia.
Doors will open at 6:00pm and the debate will start at 6.30pm.
Tickets are HK$300 per person, and will be available from 10/09/2010 through HK Ticketing:
+852 3128 8288 / www.hkticketing.com
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FOR THE MOTION:
JEREMY O’GRADY
Jeremy O’Grady is Editor-in-Chief of The Week, one of the most influential subscription and newsstand weeklies to emerge in the UK media for a decade. After studying at Trinity College, Cambridge and Cornell University, he worked as a researcher in local government, before beginning ten years as a senior examiner at the British Board of Film Classification. He launched The Week in 1995 along with Jolyon Connell, and has helped to pioneer its unique style and content. In 2002 he launched Intelligence Squared with fellow media entrepreneur John Gordon.
THOMAS CRAMPTON
As Asia-Pacific Director of 360 Digital Influence for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Thomas Crampton heads a team stretching across 23 cities in 15 Asian territories that helps companies conceive, develop and execute strategies in social media.
Prior to joining Ogilvy, Mr. Crampton spent 18 years as a globetrotting newspaper correspondent, mainly for the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times, reporting from five continents and dozens of countries.
Passionately involved in digital for the last six years, he writes a widely read blog, www.thomascrampton.com , and is a frequent keynote speaker and moderator at high profile conferences around the world, from the World Economic Forum in Davos to Le Web in Paris.
AGAINST THE MOTION:
JIMMY WALES
Jimmy Wales, is an American Internet entrepreneur best known for founding www.wikipedia.org , as well as other wiki-related organizations, including the charitable organization Wikimedia Foundation, and the for-profit company Wikia, Inc.
Wales received his Bachelor's degree in finance from Auburn University and his Master's in finance from University of Alabama. He was appointed a fellow of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School in 2005 and in 2006, he joined the Board of Directors of the non-profit organization Creative Commons.
In 2007, The World Economic Forum recognized Wales as one of the “Young Global Leaders.” This prestigious award acknowledges the top 250 young leaders for their professional accomplishments, their commitment to society and their potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world. In addition, Wales received the “Time 100 Award” in 2006, as he was named one of the world’s most influential people in the “Scientists & Thinkers” category.
KAISER KUO
Kaiser Kuo is Director of International Communications for Baidu, Inc., China’s leading search engine. He is perhaps best known as a writer, rock musician, and commentator on technology, society, and politics. Previously he served as consultant for www.youku.com , China’s largest Internet video site. A 15-year resident of Beijing, he was co-founder of China’s first and most successful heavy metal band, Tang Dynasty, and remains active in the Chinese music scene as lead guitarist of Mandarin metal band Chunqiu (Spring & Autumn).
Kaiser hosts the popular Sinica Podcast, a weekly discussion of current affairs in China featuring leading journalists, bloggers, and academics. He is a frequent guest on China Central Television’s premier English-language news talk show, Dialogue, and speaks frequently on topics related to the Chinese Internet. Kaiser received a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley (1988), and an MA in East Asian Studies from the University of Arizona (1992).
MODERATOR:
JOANNE OOI
As CEO of Clean Air Network, Hong Kong's #1 clean air NGO, Ooi is one of Asia’s most prominent environmentalists and a pioneer of social media in the Asian NGO industry. Before heading up Clean Air Network, Ooi was creative director of Shanghai Tang, the Chinese luxury goods brand owned by the Richemont Group, and credited with turning around its fortunes, thanks to an aggressive revamp of all products and marketing. Having appeared on the cover of Fast Company and been profiled on Good Morning America, among many other international media appearances, she is widely recognized as a global marketing and design expert.
About Intelligencesquared Asia
IQ2 Asia was founded in 2009 as a unique forum for political, economic and cultural debate. The Hong-Kong based media group is a non-profit organisation which promotes creative thought and challenging dialogue in the region. IQ2 Asia presents a range of globally and locally relevant debates that are designed to enlighten and encourage critical thinking and discussion by providing a unique forum for intellectual and cultural discussion.
For more information about Intelligence Squared Asia please visit www.intelligencesquared.asia.
Press enquiries:
Stephanie Poon
+852 9496 1234
info@intelligencesquared.asia
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