*apologies for x-posting*
Please see below for details of events on Science and Society.
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From: Social-Policy is run by SPA for all social policy specialists
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Sent: 18 May 2011 16:37
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Subject: The Future: Science and Society series of debates
* Apologies for x-posting *
Members of the list may be interested in the British Library's
forthcoming series of discussions:
'The Future: Science and Society', to be held between the 24 May - 3
June 2011.
This short series is part of the events programme attached to the
exhibition 'Out of this World: Science Fiction but not as you know it'
and aims to explore the cutting edge scientific research and ideas that
may determine the kind of future we will have on earth. This is the
thinking that may seem like science fiction but will be revolutionary in
our lifetimes; although it is not without controversy. Leading
scientists, theorists and writers including Cory Doctorow, David
Deutsch, William Gibson, Michael Mosley, Craig Sams and Sherry Turkle
share their thoughts. All the events will take place in the BL
conference centre. Full details of each event or to book tickets please
visit www.bl.uk/whatson
Who owns the story of the Future? Tuesday 24 May 18.30 - 20.00
Will the future be better or worse? - and does the story we are telling
ourselves help or hinder us? Can we make the right choices, and deal
with the grand challenges ahead or will our ambitions and lack of
political will get in the way. Jon Turney (The Rough Guide to the
Future) chairs a panel including economist Diane Coyle (The Economics Of
Enough), technology and SF writers Cory Doctorow and William Gibson, and
Mark Stevenson (An Optimists Tour of the Future)
Compared to this, the Industrial Revolution was nothing! Wednesday 25
May 18.30 -20.00
Is the 'ultimate reboot' is coming as the Genetics, Nanotechnology and
Robotics/AI revolutions intertwine and pick up speed? Are we heading
toward a radically different society where our notions of old age,
scarcity and our institutions have to be radically rethought? Or have we
heard it all before? Speakers include Richard Jones (University of
Sheffield, author of Soft Machines; Nanotechnology and Life) Robin
Lovell-Badge (Head of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics at
the National Institute for Medical Research) science journalist,
producer and presenter Michael Mosley and Anders Sandberg (Future of
Humanity Institute). Chair. Jon Turney.
Fixing the Planet: have we finally got some concrete options? Friday 27
May 18.30 -20.00
From carbon scrubbing, to 4th generation bio-fuels, to biochar, to
improved grassland management - we have the tools to deal with the
climate change crisis in short order. So why don't more of us know about
them - and what can we do to start putting them into action? Speakers
include climate change activist and writer Claire Fauset (Technofixes: A
Critical Guide to Climate Change Technologies); Chris Goodall (Ten
Technologies to Fix Energy and Climate), Craig Sams co-founder of Whole
Earth Foods, Green & Black's and now Carbon Gold, and Professor Chris
Turney a global climate specialist and Director of Carbon Watch. Chair:
Mark Stevenson.
The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations that Transform the World.
Tuesday 31 May 18.30 - 20.00
David Deutsch, the acclaimed physicist and author of The Fabric of
Reality explores the big issues that inform our understanding of how the
physical world works. His much awaited new book, The Beginning of
Infinity reaches some startling conclusions about the nature of human
choice, scientific explanation and the evolution of culture. Chaired by
Graham Lawton, Deputy Editor, New Scientist.
The Age Of Entanglement: are we too intertwined with technology? Friday
3 June 18.30 - 20.00
"As technology infiltrates every aspect of our lives it's become a life
support system without which we can't survive" (James Burke). Are we too
dependent on our technologies, or are they the key to a bright future?
Are we subjugated or emancipated by them? Speakers include technology
writer and broadcaster Aleks Krotoski; Sherry Turkle (Professor of the
Social Studies of Science and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and author of books including Alone Together: Why We
Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other) and Nick Tyler,
Chadwick Professor of Civil Engineering, UCL. Chaired by John Naughton,
The Observer's technology columnist and Professor of the Public
Understanding of Technology at the Open University.
With kind regards,
Robert
Robert Davies
Engagement Support Officer, Social Sciences
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
+44 (0)207 412 7318 twitter: @BLRobertDavies
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