Thread by @PennyRed

I was honoured to be invited by @theeconomist to speak as part of their prestigious #openfuture convention - but I cannot in good conscience appear at an event which chooses to dignify a neo-nationalist like Steve Bannon. Unless this decision is reversed, I will not be attending.

https://twitter.com/astroehlein/status/1034749083968262144

@TheEconomist It looks like an otherwise wonderful event, and everyone needs to make their own decision, but I strongly encourage other attendees and speakers to consider doing the same. Freedom of speech does not require us to dignify bigots with the honour of a keynote. #OpenFuture

@TheEconomist I apologise to the hard-working team at @TheEconomist -I know how carefully you’ve put the panels together and it gives me no pleasure to make extra work for you like this. I hope you can understand why I felt it was necessary.

@TheEconomist (To clear up any confusion, I will also definitely not be appearing at the
@newyorker
festival. It was easy to take a firm, principled stand on this, as I was not invited to the
@newyorker
festival and will be in a totally different country when it happens)