Broadly, the talk covers the first two and may touch on the third category above. The discussion usually centres naturally on the third category.
Whether and how legislation should be used to control the exploitation of such scientific developments is to be avoided in both talk and discussion.
... almost anything really except 'hard' science (since that would make it Café Scientifique!)
The subjects are usually about are topical movements and developments in the arts and society in general. Whilst discussion of political ideologies at a conceptual level is valid, the policies and actions of specific political parties is to be avoided.
Party Politics and hobby-horses
The intellectual and artistic creme de la creme of Nottingham, drinkers, smokers, philistines, mountebanks and brigands, local researchers and students, Radio 4 listeners, Guardian readers, Telegraph readers ... People who like a good meal followed by a Gladiatorial spectacle, MP's, MEP's, actors, screen-writers, musicians, local researchers and students... The 'person on the Clapham Omnibus'
Speaker arrives and is entertained by the Chair (including a free meal)
Chair opens meeting and introduces speaker
Speaker talks for about 25 minutes
Break, chance to get drinks at the bar
Question and Answer Session, discussion, and argument. Chair selects questionners and tries to ensure fairness. Speaker on the rack, intellectually and emotionally.
End of formal part of the evening. Informal discussion continues in bar as long as speaker wishes or can stay.
NB: The format may be varied as appropriate by agreement BUT with the proviso that there is adequate opportunity to get to the bar.