Bias in AI

4th March 2022

As some of you might have heard in assembly last week, we have been discussing 41 Questions surrounding technology (we’d love for you to have a look – feel free to contact us about your thoughts!), particularly whether technology can empower us. We think that technology can always be used for good in the right hands; as with everything, if we have good intentions these resources can be valuable for us all. But, in the same way, technology can also harm us if misused.

Bias in AI

A brief history of the term ‘sex worker’

4th March 2022

The term ‘sex worker’ was coined by Carole Leigh in the late 1970’s. Before this, sex workers, who have historically been overwhelmingly women, were referred to as prostitutes, which means ‘to put to an unworthy use’ or ‘to expose to public shame.’ Although the term ‘sex worker’ is relatively new, it has since, through activist work, been adopted as the official term to describe the act of sexual service for money and is used by leading organisations – such as the Joint United Nations programme on HIV/Aids, and the World Health Organisation.

A brief history of the term ‘sex worker’

Houseplants for president

25th February 2022

Although you will not be able to tell on the Unconquered Peaks website, I’ve written this article in a gorgeously stylish font (Goudy Old Style, if you must know), in a feeble attempt to convey the beauty and the sophistication of what we mortals call Houseplants. They say sharing is caring, and so today I would like to share with you my reasoning as to why we should all idolise houseplants, put them on a pedestal (literally and figuratively – go get your Monstera one of those three-legged metal stands), and generally surround ourselves with them. If you’re in desperate need of hoarding something – hoard plants.

Houseplants for president

In defence of the BBC

25th February 2022

The question of the BBC’s legitimacy as a tax-funded, public broadcasting service has been frequently asked over the past few years, especially by this government. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, considering that it is us, the British people, who pay for it. Yet, I think the government has got it wrong regarding their treatment of the BBC, with worrying implications. On 18th January, Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, announced that the BBC’s licence fee will be frozen over the next two years – meaning it will not rise with inflation. With inflation at a 6 year high of 6% or more, this leaves a £285 million funding gap for the BBC, which is huge. Her argument was that the raise in licence fee could not be justified due to the cost-of-living crisis, yet the government’s rhetoric (which should not be underestimated in importance) also very much portrays a distaste for this sacred institution.

In defence of the BBC