Slugger online debate: What’s Eating Ardoyne?

There’s lots of comment on last night’s rioting in Ardoyne (which is becoming less of a news event more part of the cultural calendar, in north Belfast at least).

There seems to be a remarkable degree of unanimity amongst mainstream politicians that further and renewed levels of engagement must begin now, and not wait for three months out from next year’s parade.

To that end, Slugger is hosting a panel debate on Google Plus next Tuesday lunchtime (starting at one, so you can hear most of Talkback) called, What’s eating Ardoyne?

It’s far enough ahead to have let local passions subside but not so far that the memory has softened too much. We’ll have a limited number of spaces for people to take an active part and for the rest of you we will be ‘broadcasting’ live via YouTube.

If you want to take part you will need:

– A Google Plus account. If you already have Gmail and/or YouTube this will be relatively easy affair.

– A microphone and webcam that works with your own computer.

– Some real knowledge of the problem, and a temperament that enables you to discourse civilly with people with whom you do not agree.

If you want some help or have a query, or want to share videos, pictures, or links to other online material that can feed into the event itself, post here, or on the Google Plus Event page here.

If you are a new entrant to G+ (as its known ‘on the inside’) you can find me at gplus.to/mickfealty. Put me in one of your circles and I’ll circle you back. Ping me any direct or specific queries about how G+ works in there.

I’ll be dipping into this thread trying to set an agenda for Tuesday’s discussion from the issues people raise here, as well as bringing a few ideas of my own to the table… Don’t stint.. (but DO remember that the usual rules apply).

There’s more on the Slugger Consults blog on Hangouts and realising their potential (which is huge)!

Mick Fealty

Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty