Sir Martin Rees, UK Astronomer Royal

Description

PI Public Lecture Series:

Title: Surviving the Century

 
Abstract:

Advances in biotech, cyber-technology, robotics, and space exploration could, if applied wisely, allow a bright future - even for 10 billion people - by the end of this century.

But there are dystopian risks we ignore at our peril.

These risks are of two kinds: those stemming from our ever-greater collective “footprint” on the Earth, and those enabled by technologies so powerful that even small groups can, whether by error or design, cause global catastrophe.

Martin Rees, the UK Astronomer Royal, will explore this unprecedented moment in human history during his Perimeter Institute public lecture on October 2, 2019. A former president of the Royal Society and master of Trinity College, Cambridge, Rees is a cosmologist whose work also explores the interfaces between science, ethics, and politics.

In his October 2 talk - which kicks off the 2019/20 season of the Perimeter Institute Public Lecture Series - Rees will discuss the outlook for humans (or their robotic envoys) venturing to other planets. Humans, Rees argues, will be ill-adapted to new habitats beyond Earth, and will use genetic and cyborg technology to transform into a “post-human” species.

Rees’ talk at Perimeter will cover themes from his 2018 book, On the Future: Prospects for Humanity. Rees is an acclaimed thinker, author, and speaker who belongs to numerous scientific academies around the world. His past books include Before the Beginning, Our Final Century?, Just Six Numbers, Our Cosmic Habitat, and Gravity’s Fatal Attraction.

Attendance to the lecture is free, but advance tickets are required. Our lectures consistently sell out. As a courtesy to our waiting list guests your ticket will be honoured until 6:45 PM only. If you have not arrived by 6:45 PM your reservation will be filled by another guest, and you will be asked to join the end of the waiting line.


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Doors open at 5:30 pm

Pre-Lecture Activities (tickets not required):

Black Hole Bistro - dinner and/or drinks:

RESERVATIONS ARE required for food service in the Black Hole Bistro and can be made at bistro@pitp.ca. Dinner reservations will be scheduled between 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm for those with tickets and later for those watching the lecture in the Bistro.

Ask a Scientist?

Perimeter scientists will be on hand to answer physics questions from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

WAITING LINE EXPERIENCE:
There will be a waiting line for last minute cancelled (or ‘no show’) seats on the night of the lecture. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Come to Perimeter and pick-up a waiting line chit at the Waiting Line sign and then participate in pre-lecture activities - no need to wait in line. An announcement will be made in the Bistro at 6:45 pm if theatre seats are available. Note: you must arrive in person to be part of the waiting line and be in the Bistro when the waiting line announcement is made.

NO DISAPPOINTMENTS:
Everyone who comes to Perimeter will be able to participate in the lecture. The public lecture will be shown simultaneously on closed circuit television in the quiet of the Time Room or the licensed comfort of the Black Hole Bistro for any members of the waiting line who are not able to get a theatre seat.

LIVE WEBCAST ONLINE:

For most lectures the on-demand playback will be online within 24 hours after the live event. Check our YouTube page for the playbacks.