1999
Scientific Imperialism
Jan 19th
Mary Midgley (Newcastle)
Author and philosopher Mary Midgley argued that science was only one form of organised knowledge. Experience should be thought of as a mountain which can be approached from different angles, and does not just have one face.
Why Intelligent Machines will Have Emotions
Feb 4th
Professor Aaron Sloman (Birmingham)
Aaron Sloman believes that once intelligent machines have to operate in the real world, the different kinds of choices open to them will create problems and produce emotional responses.
The Science of Human Ageing
Feb 16th
Professor Thomas Kirkwood (Manchester)
Thomas Kirkwood believes that many of the ills associated with old age can be overcome, and that it should be an enjoyable, creative and productive time of life.
The Science of Free Will
Mar 16th
Matt Ridley (author)
Matt Ridley provided insights into information coming from the Human Genome Project, and commented on what genes couldn't do.
The Meme Machine
Mar 22nd
Susan Blackmore (UWE)
Susan Blackmore championed Richard Dawkins' idea that what genes are to nature, memes are to culture. She thinks humans are excellent mimics, and this is how memes are transmitted.
The Rise of the Superbug
May 4th
Martin Westwell (Oxford)
Martin Westwell was a researcher in biomedicine and he described the dangers of the over-use of antibiotics in medicine.
Rethinking the Emotions
May 25th
Dylan Evans (LSE)
Dylan Evans believes that evolutionary psychology provides the key to understanding our emotions and moods.
The Campaign against GMOs
Jun
Genetix Snowball
Genetix Snowball were very active in the anti-GMO campaign and the speaker provided insights into the motives and tactics of the campaigners.
Controversy, Catastrophe and Evolution
Nov 16th
Prof Trevor Palmer
Trevor Palmer argues against the prevailing gradualist view of evolution, and thinks that disaster and catastrophe played a much larger part that is at present thought.
Science Fact Meets Science Fiction
The Monster and the Mad Scientist
Sep 27th
Paul McAuley (author)
Why has science been linked to the Frankenstein myth, from Mary Shelley to GM crops? Does it deserve this label?
How to Build a Conscious Machine
Sep 28th
Steve Grand
Steve Grand developed the CD-Rom 'Creatures', such that the internet it is now populated by thousands of 'cybercreatures'. He is now developing a conscious machine.
Doctors, Drugs and Depression
Sep 29th
David Healy (UNW)
Anti-depressants are big business for the pharmaceutical industry. But David Healy believes that commercial pressures are undermining the trust between patients, doctors and the drug companies.
Are GMOs Immoral?
Sep 30th
Professor Alan Ryan (Oxford)
'GM crops have replaced paedophilia as the focus for public panic', says Alan Ryan, the philosopher and chairman of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. He believes that neither the government, nor the press nor the environmental lobby have emerged with any credit from the present debate.
Does Science Need Science Fiction?
Oct 1st
Professor Ian Stewart (Warwick)
In recent years science fiction seems to have been writing the script for scientific progress - cloning, head transplantation, time travel and warp drives. Are there closer links between the two than many scientists would like to admit?
The Making of Intelligence
Oct 2nd
Ken Richardson
With the idea of the brain as a computational machine, and the prospect of genes for intelligence, are we in danger of short changing the complexity of the human mind?
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