This House Would Embrace Nuclear Energy As A Renewable Resource

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 19h Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Embrace Nuclear Energy As A Renewable Resource."

Speeches begin at 00:35:15.

This House Believes Thatcher Saved The Economy

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 18th Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THB Thatcher Saved The Economy."

Speeches begin at 00:29:25.

This House Would Abolish The Monarchy

 Hello! Here is the recording of the sixteenth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Abolish The Monarchy"

Speeches begin at 00:35:35.

This House Believes Technology Will Destroy The World

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 15th Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THB Technology Will Destroy The World."

Speeches begin at 00:37:20.

This House Would Decriminalise All Drugs

 Hello! Here is the recording of the 14th Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Decriminalise All Drugs."

Speeches begin at 00:35:50.

This House Believes The Oscars Are Rigged

 Hello! Here is the recording of the twelfth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THB The Oscars Are Rigged".

Speeches begin at 00:49:10.

This House Believes Liberal Feminism Never Ditched Its Racist Roots

 Hello! Here is the recording of the twelfth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THB Liberal Feminism Never Ditched Its Racist Roots".

Speeches begin at 00:41:15.

This House Would Make Language Learning Compulsory

Hello! Here is the recording of the eleventh Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Make Language Learning Compulsory".

Speeches begin at 00:38:10.

This House Regrets The Enlightenment

Hello! Here is the recording of the tenth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THR The Enlightenment".

Speeches begin at 00:37:10.

 

This House Would Unite Ireland

Hello! Here is the recording of the First Joint Debate of the 174th Session of QUB Literific. The House gathered in the Debating Chamber at Trinity College Dublin, with the University Philosophical Society, for the motion "THW Unite Ireland".

Speeches start at: 15:10

This House Would Leave The European Convention On Human Rights

Hello! Here is the recording of the ninth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Leave The European Convention On Human Rights"

Speeches begin at 00:39:10

This House Would Rather Live in '1984' Than 'Brave New World'

Hello! Here is the recording of the eighth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Rather Live in '1984' Than 'Brave New World'."

Speeches begin at 00:27:45.

This House Believes Biden's Presidency is a Failure

Hello! Here is the recording of the 7th Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THB Biden's Presidency is s Failure."

Speeches begin at 00:39:50.

This House Would Abolish Mandatory Coalition

Hello! Here is the recording of the 6th Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Abolish Mandatory Coalition."

Speeches begin at 00:28:20.

This House Believes the Protocol has Negatively Impacted N.I.

Hello! Here is the recording of the First Great Debate of the 174th Session of QUB Literific. The House gathered in the Senate Chamber at Stormont for the motion "THB the Protocol has negatively impacted Northern Ireland."

Guest speakers included Diane Dodds MLA, Kate Nicholl MLA, Jim Allister MLA, Emma DeSouza, Robbie Butler MLA and Matthew O'Toole MLA.

This House Regrets Deposing Boris Johnson as Prime Minister

Hello! Here is the recording of the 5th Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THR Deposing Boris Johnson as Prime Minister."

Speeches begin at 00:37:00.

This House Would Ban Street Preachers from Pride

Hello! Here is the recording of the fourth Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THW Ban Street Preachers from Pride."

Speeches begin at 00:40:30.

This House Supports a General Strike

Hello! Here is the recording of the third Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THS A General Strike."

Speeches begin at 00:34:00.

This House Believes Marriage is an Outdated Concept

 Hello! Here is the recording for the second Ordinary Meeting of the 174th Session of QUB Literific, where this week the House gathered for the motion "THB Marriage is an Outdated Concept."

Speeches begin at 00:42:30.

THW Ban Segregated Education

THW Support Mandatory Vaccination

THW Create Designer Babies

THR Coronavirus Lockdowns

THB Sex Work is Not Real Work

THW Re-Elect Donald J. Trump

THW Judge Historical Figures by Modern Standards

THB the Arts are a Luxury, Not a Necessity

THW Defund the Police

THB Billionaires Should Not Exist

THB Religion is a Force for Good

Literific Stormont Debate 2019

Dufferin Competition 2020

THW Disband NATO

THB China Threatens Western Democracy

THB Pride Should Focus on Protest over Celebration

Literific 170th Birthday

THW Abandon Retributive Justice

THB The Breakup of the United Kingdom is Inevitable

THB Young People Have No Future in Ireland

THW Bring Back New Labour

Literific Christmas Party 2019

THB Populism is a Force For Good

TBH Today's Government Has Failed the Planet

THR the Arab Spring

This House Supports National Security Over Individual Liberty

THR Rainbow Capitalism

THW Date a Vampire

THR The Romanticisation of the Past

THB in Objective Morality

THB Mainstream Feminism Fails Minorities

This House Does Not Want Stormont Back

THB Muggles are Better Off

THW Have Children

Literific AGM 2019

Well, my last recording for the Society before I head off to Belgium. It's been a ride folks. See you in a year!

On 12 March 2019 our members gathered in the Senate Room to amend the Constitution, elect the new Council and reflect on the quality of the 170th Session. 

Elections start at 01:08:29. 

THW Create an EU Superstate

At the beginning of April over 50 members of the society gathered in the Great Hall to send it off for the year and to discuss the issue of Europe and Brexit, the great cloud hanging over our heads. It was a right corker. 

Sorry if the audio's a little hazy in places. The Great Hall echoes like hell. And also sorry this is so late. Exams and every got in the way, but it's here now. My last debate as Tech Officer. Wow...

I'll have the AGM up in a day or two and I'll get all mushy and sentimental then. Stay tuned. 

THR Internet Pornography

Last week 40 Literificans gathered in the Senate room for the penultimate debate of the year. Please enjoy:

"This House Regrets Internet Pornography."

Tune in next week for our final debate on the EU and its policy of "ever-closer union". 

THB Cuba has been a Success

Hello, all! Listen in to the twenty-third debate of our 170th Session - THB Cuba has been a Success!

The Annual Dufferin Best Speaker Competition 2019 - TH Supports No-Platforming

So, we gathered this last week for the Annual Dufferin Competition - the internal competition where we decide the best speaker of the year! The British Parliamentary style is used, so it's a 4v4 debate, and the speakers are only told the motion 15 minutes in advance. You get to hear it though. Please enjoy:

"This House Supports No Platforming"

Tune in next week for our debate on the success of Cuba. 

THW Invade Earth

This week 40 members gathered in the Senate Room to discuss whether, should aliens ever come across us and possess the power to do so, it would be in their best interests to invade our dear earth and overthrow humanity. Please enjoy:

"This House Would Invade Earth."

Speeches start at 00:46:03. 

Don't forget to tune in next week for the AGM on Tuesday and our Annual Duffering Competition on Thursday. 

THW Legalise Euthanasia

Here is the recording of the twentieth Ordinary Meeting of our 170th Session: "This House Would Legalise Euthanasia"

THR Disaster Tourism

Welcome all! This week we gathered in the Senate Room to debate whether "Diaster Tourism" - the practice of visiting places where a disaster either or happening or has happened - is worth it. Should we laud it for helping communities or regret it for monetising suffering? Please Enjoy:

"This House Regrets Disaster Tourism."

Speeches start at 00:49:14. 

Tune in next week for our debate on euthanasia.

The E. L. Godkin Anniversary Gala

The year is 1860 A.D. The Literific gathers to celebrate its 10th Anniversary in its usual meeting place, Kingod Manor. It's a big event. even E. L. Godkin, the founder of the society is present. It's shaping up to be a night of merriment and copious alcohol consumption.

However, shortly into the proceedings of the Anniversary Gala L. E. Kingod, the host, collapses and dies. Now, it's up to Detective Hughronymous DuBois to find out who was responsible. 

Please enjoy: The E. L. Godkin Anniversary Gala

Speeches start at 00:37:38. 

Join us next week for our debate on the ethics of disaster tourism. 

THR The Gig Economy

This week, we gathered in the Senate Room to debate the Gig Economy. For those who do not know, the gig economy refers to companies like Deliveroo and Uber. Or, for an actual definition: "labour market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs." (Google) Some feel it has brought workers and consumers unprecedented freedom, while others feel they threaten to set workers back decades. Let's find out who's right.

Speeches start at 00:46:32. 

Make sure to tune in next week to the E.L. Godkin Anniversary Gala! What is that? Tune in or better yet, come along to find out. 

THB The Famine Was a Genocide

This week 50 members gathered in the Senate room to discuss the Great Irish Famine of 1845-49, when the potato crop failed and roughly 1,000,000 people died, with millions more emigrating. Ireland's population still hasn't recovered. In this debate, we discussed whether or not this was a natural disaster or whether it was a more malicious and negligent effort. Please enjoy:

"This House Believes The Famine Was a Genocide."

Speeches start at 00:41:39.

Please tune in next week for our debate: "This House Regrets the Gig economy."

THB Some Sins Should Not Be Forgiven

Hello Everyone! Welcome to the 16th Ordinary Meeting of the year. 60 members gathered in the Senate Room to discuss the issue of unforgivable sins. Please enjoy: 

"This House Believes Some Sins Should Not Be Forgiven"

Speeches start at 00:38:35. 

Tune in next week for our debate: "THB the Famine was a Genocide"

THW Censor Historical Works

Happy New Year everyone! We're back for another semester's worth of debates for you, the people. Last Thursday 45 members gathered in the senate room to discuss censorship and whether it's ever justified. Also Mr Hubble read us a very rude poem about Brexit. Please enjoy:

"This House Would Censor Historical Works"

Speeches start at 00:49:16.

Join us again next week for a nice, spiritual debate about sins and whether we should forgive them or not. 

THW Introduce a Universal Basic Income

Hello once more! Welcome to the penultimate debate of the year! This week, 45 members gathered to debate the issue of the Universal Basic Income policy which has been increasingly discussed in recent years. Please enjoy this week's motion: 

"This House Would Introduce a Universal Basic Income"

Speeches start at 00:42:24.

THW Ban Autonomous Weapons

Hello again to everyone!

This week we gathered in the Senate Room with Queen's Computing Society, and to an audience of over 45 people we debated the issue of killer robots and whether they're good or not. Please enjoy:

"This House Would Ban Autonomous Weapons"

Speeches start at 00:43:23.

Make sure to join us next week for a discussion of the merits of Universal Basic Income. 

THW Separate Art From the Artist

Hello all! This was a very special debate this week. This week we had 8 speakers, all of whom only started speaking this term, come together and debate in order to discover which of them is the best Maiden Speaker of the 170th Session. Who will live up to the name of the founder, E.L. Godkin? 

Now, enjoy the motion: 

"This House Would Separate Art From the Artist."

Speeches start at 00:31:57. 

Join us next week for our joint debate on autonomous weapons with QCS. 

THB Children are the Property of The State

Hello again! The Literific met once again this Thursday, gathering over 50 members in the Senate Room to discuss the issue of children and to what extent we hate the wee oiks. Then, we realised the Children's Commissioner for NI, Koulla Yiasouma, was our guest chair and settled on the motion:

"This House Believes Children Are the Property of the State"

Speeches start at 00:47:16. 

Join us again next week for our special Godkin debate. 

THB Sex Positivity Has Gone Too Far

Well, isn't this a naughty little debate. On Thursday 8 November over 80 people gathered in the Senate Room to discuss the motion: 

"This House Believes Sex Positivity Has Gone Too Far."

Speeches Start at 00:33:22

THB Remains Have No Rights

Hello again! Welcome to our first joint debate of the year, co-hosted by the lovely folks over at the QUB Archaeology Society. We gathered as usual in the Senate Room to discuss whether the dead have rights worth considering. Folks, I introduce you to:

"This House Believes Remains Have No Rights"

Speeches start at 00:41:04.

Join us next week for our debate on sex positivity and whether or not is has outstayed its welcome. 

THW Create Life (Halloween Debate)

Welcome, one and all, to our spooky Halloween debate! Contort in terror as we discuss the dilemma of Frankenstein! Should we create life artificially? Or not do that? Find out in our Sixth Ordinary Meeting: 

"This House Would Create Life!"

Speeches start at 00:46:25. 

Join us next week for our joint debate with QUB Archaeology Society!

THB Christianity Is A Valuable Part of Our Culture

Welcome back once more to our fifth debate of the year! Meeting in the Senate Room we discussed the pressing issue of religion's place in our culture. Please enjoy: 

"This House Believes Christianity Is A Valuable Part of Our Culture"

Speeches start at 00:49:27

Enjoy the debate and we'll see you next week for THW Create Life, our Halloween debate. 

THW Fear Zuckerberg

Hello to all! Our fourth debate of the year took place on 11 October 2018 in the Senate Room. It was an absolute corker this time (not least because yours truly spoke in it ;), as we debated the motion: 

"This House Would Fear Zuckerberg"

Speeches start at 00:51:26. 

THR The Easter Rising

Do you want a debate? Boy, we've got a spicy one for you this time! For the Third Ordinary Meeting of the 170th Session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society, we gathered in 0G/074 to debate the motion: "This House Regrets the Easter Rising". 

I like the Third Ordinary Meeting. I call it TOM. 

Speeches begin at 00:36:54.

THW Rather Have Fun Than Get a 2:1

This House Believes Prostitution Should be Legalised

Hello there! Give this a listen: the First Ordinary Meeting of the 170th Session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened in tour usual Senate Room to debate the motion, "This House Believes Prostitution Should Be Legalised"!

Q-Con Debate 2018: Dubs V Subs

Greetings, one and all! Here is the recording of the first special meeting of our 170th Session! Hosted at Q-Con, this debate asked the ultimate anime question: Dubs V Subs!

2018 Literific AGM

Greetings, one and all! As we hit the first of June it is my pleasure to release the recording of the 2018 Literific AGM! At this meeting, various changes were made to the Society Constitution, members of the 169th Council gave their Annual Reports and the 170th Council was elected! I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes the ROI has Sold Out NI

Good day, good day, one and all and listen to this: the twenty-fourth and final Ordinary Meeting of the 169th Session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened in the beautiful Great Hall to debate the motion, "This House Believes the ROI has Sold Out NI"!

Speeches start at 00:31:45.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes Antifa Are More Dangerous Than The White Nationalist Movements (Dufferin Debate)

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the twenty-second Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened for our annual Dufferin Competition. The motion, released to speakers fifteen minutes before the start of the debate, was "This House Believes Antifa are More Dangerous Than The White Nationalist Movements".

Speeches start at 00:45:10.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Would Repeal the Eighth

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the twenty-second Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Repeal the Eighth", co-hosted with QUB Law Society and QUB Amnesty! We would like to thank all our speakers for an engaging and civil debate, and one of the best debates of the year so far!

Speeches start at 00:41:45.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Would Rather be in Slytherin

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the twenty-first Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Rather be in Slytherin", co-hosted with QUB Sci-Fi Society! The Literific would also like to thank President Emeritus Tara Pouryahya HLM for Guest-Chairing this meeting!

Speeches start at 00:49:00.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Would Invade the Soviet Union (1945)

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the twentieth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Invade the Soviet Union (1945)".

Speeches start at 00:39:15.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes Big Pharma has Done More Harm than Good

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the nineteenth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes Big Pharma has done More Harm than Good".

Speeches start at 00:46:32.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Would Be in an Open Relationship

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the eighteenth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Be in an Open Relationship". This post-Valentine's Day debate was particularly humorous, so please give it a listen!

Speeches start at 00:43:20.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Regrets The Reformation

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the seventeenth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Regrets the Reformation".

Speeches start at 00:42:53.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes Allies Have no Place in Queer Spaces

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the sixteenth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes Allies have No Place in Queer Spaces", held in conjunction with QUB LGBT+ Society. 

Speeches start at 00:34:34.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Would Support the Israeli Government

Greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the fifteenth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Support the Israeli Government". 

Speeches start at 00:41:45.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy! 

This House Would Experiment With Drugs

Greetings, greetings, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the fourteenth Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Experiment With Drugs". 

Speeches start at 00:46:00.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy! 

This House Would Seize the Means of Production

Hello, hello, one and all! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the thirteenth Ordinary Meeting of the Society, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Seize the Means of Production". 

Speeches start at 00:45:09.

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy! 

This House Believes Western Politics Is Inherently Sexist (Stormont 2017)

Good evening, good evening, ladies and gentlemen and listen to this - the debate we held at our fourth Special Meeting - the 2017 Stormont Mixer. The House convened in the Long Gallery of Parliament Buildings, Stormont to debate the motion, This House Believes Western Politics is Inherently Sexist.

I hope you enjoy!

Literific Christmas Mini-Debates 2017

Good evening, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and listen to this - the very Christmassy (and bawdy) twelfth Ordinary Meeting of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society!

For our Christmas debate this year, we had three mini-debates:

This House Would Be Dramatic

This House Believes The Literific is an Old Boys' Club

This House Would Be Naughty Rather Than Nice

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes Free Will Does Not Exist

Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Literific! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the eleventh Ordinary Meeting of our 169th Session,  "This House Believes Free Will Does Not Exist". 

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes Trump Will Destroy the Planet

Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Literific! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the tenth Ordinary Meeting of the Society,  "This House Believes Trump Will Destroy the Planet". 
As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Regrets the Rise of Positive Discrimination (Godkin Debate)

Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Literific! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the ninth Ordinary Meeting of the Society, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Regrets the Rise of Positive Discrimination". However, to call this an Ordinary Meeting is to diminish its importance, as this week, eight speakers competed to be crowned champion of the Godkin Novice Debate 2017!

As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Would Stop Funding for Mars Exploration

Hello, hello, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Literific! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the eighth Ordinary Meeting of the Society, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Stop Funding for Mars Exploration". 
As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

This House Believes NI Can Have a Post-Sectarian Election

Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Literific! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the seventh Ordinary Meeting of the Society, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes NI Can Have a Post-Sectarian Election". 
As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

Speaking for the Proposition were Mr Kilian Thornton, Mr Fionnbharr Rodgers and Mr Edmund Doherty, with Mr John McDonald, Mr Ciaran Gallagher and Mr Hugh Dobbin speaking for the Opposition.

This House Would Blaspheme

Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Literific! It is my pleasure to present to you the recording of the fifth Ordinary Meeting of the Society, where the House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Would Blaspheme". 
As always, you can download the recording from here, or subscribe to our podcast via iTunes. I hope you enjoy!

Speaking for the Proposition were Mr Ryan Neill, Mr Scott Moore, Mr Conor Lockhart and Mr Liam Mackle, with Ms Erin Burnett, Ms Sarah Gallen, Mr Daniel Lowe and Mr Morgan Hickman speaking for the Opposition. We would also like to thank the Reverend Dr Paul Bailie for guest-chairing the debate!