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Show time!
S H OW T I M E ! With 140 talks, six stages and hundreds of exhibitors showcasing everything from giant insects to next-generation robots, our festival of ideas was packed with high points – and attracted 30,000 visitors. Rowan Hooper attempts to summarise the New Scientist Live experience
ON FRIDAY 29 September at 2 pm, a hush fell over the main stage at New Scientist Live. On the big screen we saw the European Space Agency mission control room near Munich, Germany. A voice came through. “European Space Agency, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event?” With the legendary words “this is Houston”, we knew we were involved in something special. Then the picture cut to astronaut Paolo Nespoli, floating in the International Space Station. There was a collective intake of breath, then cheers and whoops broke out: we were talking to someone in space! For some, this was the highlight of the four-day event. For others it was seeing a colony of naked mole rats, or Wayne McGregor creating a science-inspired dance. I’ll try to pick just a few others from what was an awe-inspiring experience. Doug Turnbull from the University of Newcastle gave a moving presentation on the technology now available to treat mitochondrial disease. Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind revealed the power of artificial intelligence and its ability to unlock human potential. Sean Carroll of the California Institute of Technology spoke about what happened at the origin of the universe, and blew everyone’s minds. And Margaret Atwood shared her thoughts on science and fiction, and came out with this gem on stage: “I’m here,” she said, “because I read New Scientist.” It was thrilling to see the enthusiasm for science filling the show. “It’s amazing,” said neuroscientist Adrian Owen. “And it’s great for science, especially at the moment.” Thanks to the more than 30,000 of you who helped make the show such a success: see you again in 2018. Rowan Hooper was creative director of New Scientist Live 2017
“Inspiring to see so many children involved. Catching the imagination of the next generation of scientists" New Scientist Live attendee Jane Sill
“What a wonderful, inspiring day of discovery!" New Scientist Live attendee Charlotte Middlehurst
“I'm here because I read New Scientist ” Margaret Atwood
ON FRIDAY 29 September at 2 pm, a hush fell over the main stage at New Scientist Live. On the big screen we saw the European Space Agency mission control room near Munich, Germany. A voice came through. “European Space Agency, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event?” With the legendary words “this is Houston”, we knew we were involved in something special. Then the picture cut to astronaut Paolo Nespoli, floating in the International Space Station. There was a collective intake of breath, then cheers and whoops broke out: we were talking to someone in space! For some, this was the highlight of the four-day event. For others it was seeing a colony of naked mole rats, or Wayne McGregor creating a science-inspired dance. I’ll try to pick just a few others from what was an awe-inspiring experience. Doug Turnbull from the University of Newcastle gave a moving presentation on the technology now available to treat mitochondrial disease. Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind revealed the power of artificial intelligence and its ability to unlock human potential. Sean Carroll of the California Institute of Technology spoke about what happened at the origin of the universe, and blew everyone’s minds. And Margaret Atwood shared her thoughts on science and fiction, and came out with this gem on stage: “I’m here,” she said, “because I read New Scientist.” It was thrilling to see the enthusiasm for science filling the show. “It’s amazing,” said neuroscientist Adrian Owen. “And it’s great for science, especially at the moment.” Thanks to the more than 30,000 of you who helped make the show such a success: see you again in 2018. Rowan Hooper was creative director of New Scientist Live 2017
“Inspiring to see so many children involved. Catching the imagination of the next generation of scientists" New Scientist Live attendee Jane Sill
“What a wonderful, inspiring day of discovery!" New Scientist Live attendee Charlotte Middlehurst
“I'm here because I read New Scientist ” Margaret Atwood