Fortify yourself at the Ideas Bar before you check your bags at the cloakroom

John Quiggin spoke today at one of the (free) sessions at the Brisbane Festival of Ideas , a worthy cultural event where, according to Premier Beattie , only Queenslanders are welcome:

"The Queensland Government invites all Queenslanders to take part in the Ideas Festival...
It is an opportunity for Queenslanders to share ideas, celebrate the best of our many thinkers and innovators...The 2006 Ideas Festival will emphasise the sort of practical ideas that can be harnessed as part of our vision to improve life for Queenslanders. "

Phillip Adams was MC of a debate broadcast on ABC RN's Late Night Live last night. Has he been given honorary Queenslander status for the duration (or longer)?

Unlike its Adelaide counterpart, you have to pay to get in to many of the sessions, but at least there is an "Ideas Bar" open all day for those Queenslanders who need to fortify themselves against the barrage of ideas to which they may be subjected if they decide to attend any of the sessions.

On the positive side the Festival website reassures any doubters that high level security measures are in place :

"When planning your visit please be aware that the Queensland Performing Arts Centre has strict cloakroom rules. For Ideas events in the Concert Hall and the Cremorne Theatre, you will have to check all day bags, small backpacks or big handbags into their cloakrooms prior to entering the theatres. Cloakroom facilities are limited in the Conservatorium building. You are best advised to leave bags at home or allow plenty of extra time to make use of cloakroom facilities.

Does this allow you to check your brain in?

Of course the recent London Times report implying that, at least in the northern hemisphere, the further people live from the equator the higher their IQ, doesn't apply here. If it did Tasmanians would be represented disproportionately.