Somerset ‘festival of ideas’ to measure whether its talks change people’s outlook

Attenders will be asked to take part in tests to see if they have become more open to views they do not agree with

Festivalgoers sometimes report feeling they have a fresh perspective of the world when they make their weary way home after a stimulating cultural gathering.

A new “festival of ideas” in Somerset is aiming to measure whether the beliefs and ideas of attenders and speakers really are changed by their event.