Nerd Nite London Livestream - October 2020

NERD NITE LONDON, WHERE IT’S HIP TO BE SQUARE.

Please note- We're running this event as a hybrid livestream & in-person event. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter or our mailing list for details on this and future events: https://london.nerdnite.com/contact/.

Nerd Nite London is a monthly event where three speakers give 18-21 minute fun-yet-informative talks across all disciplines, while the audience drinks along. This October we're going to be learning about how to squat a building, what on earth is the US electoral college and why people with red hair are rare but misunderstood.

Be there and be square.

Online and screening at address: The Backyard Comedy Club, 231 Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 0EL

Details: October 21st 2020. The stream will go live at 7pm, with the speakers starting at 7.30pm

Tickets: Early Nerd Tickets £4, General Admission £5, Extra-generous donation to Shine Trust £7.50. All proceeds will be donated to charity. If you would like to attend in person please send us an email at london@nerdnite.com and let us know how many people you will be attending with.

A Guide to Successful Squatting

The law of adverse possession allows for individuals to enter and make use of property but the law changed some time ago so that living in squatted property is now illegal. George's presentation will cover the basics of squatting property, share some lessons learnt and include some anecdotes and laughs.

He hopes that you will learn something, you may decide to have a go yourself, or like his girlfriend, you may end up thinking that this person needs to grow up and do something more productive with their time.

George has been involved in commercial property for 10 years as a side line to a career in corporate communications. He is old enough to remember friends squatting in abandoned buildings in posh parts of London in the 80s, when big houses were often left empty and forgotten - now every square foot of London is extremely valuable and property ownership can seem inaccessible.

For the last 10 years he have been actively looking for buildings in London that are abandoned, in order to make a profit. He has discovered forgotten properties all over London, researched ownership details and gained access to them. He has also been evicted or voluntarily left almost all of them, learning lessons along the way.  

The truth about red hair

Only about two percent of the world’s population have the mutation that gives way to red hair. However, the history of red hair is an interesting mixture of suffering, rumours and stereotypes. This talk will give you an understanding of the role hair can play in identity and how the nicknames and insults are steeped in history. 

As the only red head in her extended family, Susie has always been aware of her slightly usual place in the world and has received her fair share of complements and insults. Her obsession with her red hair became more academic when studying Children’s Literature. Having noticed a range of stereotypes and cliches, she managed to write 20 000 words about it. This specialist subject has so far not some in useful in her general life; not even in the wide range of lockdown quizzes she has taken part in. This talk aims to give her a chance to finally show it off!

So just what on earth is the US electoral college?

There are many bizarre features of US elections but perhaps the most bizarre thing of all is the electoral college.

What is this electoral college? How are its members chosen? Who are these members and what do they do once chosen? What are American voters really doing on November 3^rd (or beforehand) when they vote for a Presidential candidate?

Why was the electoral college created in the first place? How has it changed over time? What are the arguments for and against it and how could it be changed in future? And what does it all mean for this year’s presidential election?

There are many questions to which George hopes to provide at least some of the answers…and within a maximum 20 minute time limit!

George is 27 years old. He previously worked in the European Parliament in Brussels for a British MEP (before Brexit…) and then in Public Affairs and PR, returning to academia to do a Masters in Democracy and Comparative Politics. He is ever so slightly interested (some friends would say overly obsessed) in politics and elections and especially electoral systems.

All proceeds from Nerd Nite London go to charity. this year we are partnering with The Shine Trust to help foster a new generation of nerds.

More information about Nerd Nite London can be found by following us on Twitter @nerdnitelondon, liking us on Facebook www.facebook.com/nerdnitelondon or visiting www.london.nerdnite.com. for more information about The Shine Trust visit www.shinetrust.org.uk