Debates

Debates at HowTheLightGetsIn London 2023 will challenge the status quo and push forward the boundaries of knowledge.

Exploring the theme Dangers, Desires, and Destiny our speakers interrogate modern moral dilemmas, timeless scientific mysteries and pressing political crises to unpick the dangers the future holds and what we desire to change.

Our carefully curated programme fuses cutting edge debate with an entertaining, accessible format, for a truly mind-expanding experience.

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An abstract representation of a brain with interconnected wires and roots, symbolizing neural connections and technological integration.

Rationality in the Dock

Kathleen Stock, Carol Gilligan, Michael Shermer
Two hands reaching toward each other against a bright, sunlit sky, symbolizing connection and unity.

A Rule to Live By

Daniel Markovits, Carol Gilligan, Peter Singer (zoom)
A tank adorned with a bouquet of pink roses positioned on a solid teal background, symbolizing peace amidst conflict.

In Pursuit of Peace

Richard Wolff, David Omand, Inna Sovsun
A red and gray robotic figure stands in a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape, surrounded by debris and emerging flames amidst a foggy atmosphere.
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The AI Apocalypse

Timothy Nguyen, Liv Boeree, Michael Wooldridge
An abstract illustration featuring colorful geometric shapes, with various hands in different skin tones interacting with the pieces, suggesting collaboration and creativity.

The Economics of Almost Everything

Martin Wolf, Daniel Markovits, Angela Eagle, Madeleine Pennington
A fragmented clock surrounded by colorful smoke, symbolizing the passage of time and its ephemeral nature.

The Trouble With Time

Avshalom Elitzur, Michio Kaku, Tim Maudlin, Jimena Canales

Naming and Shaming

Peter Tatchell, Sophie Scott-Brown, Joanna Kavenna
A weathered and rusted surface with splashes of red and blue paint, featuring a partially obscured number "21" and hints of abstract figures.

Being Good and Being Bad

Hilary Lawson, Kathleen Stock, Hilary Greaves
A stunning nighttime view of Hong Kong's skyline, featuring brightly lit skyscrapers and vibrant colors reflecting on Victoria Harbour.

Speaking for the Future

Jonathan Sumption, Sophie Howe, Hilary Greaves
A hand holds a flaming piece of newspaper, with bright orange flames and smoke rising from it.
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The Impartiality Illusion

Matthew Goodwin, Philip Colins, Sophie Scott-Brown
U.S. and Chinese banknotes displayed with their respective flags on a colorful world map background, symbolizing economic rivalry.
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Redrawing the Global Order

Bill Browder, Yuan Yang, Sergei Guriev
A vibrant abstract illustration of diverse human figures in various colors and shapes, representing inclusivity and community.

The Dream of Democracy

Susan Neiman, Nadhim Zahawi, Philip Collins
A hand holding a smartphone with heart reaction icons floating above it, set against a pink background, symbolizing social media engagement and appreciation.
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The Politics of Desire

Maya Oppenheim, Zoe Strimpel, Jess Carbino
A close-up of various stages of plant growth, featuring small seedlings and a prominent sprout with green leaves emerging from rich brown soil.
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The Origin of Life

Kate Adamala, Matthew Powner , Eörs Szathmáry
A digitally rendered globe surrounded by glowing grid lines and bar graphs, representing global data and analytics in a futuristic setting.
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Capitalism, Big Tech and the Nation State

Zephyr Teachout, Kenneth Cukier, Aaron Bastani
Model houses of various sizes are stacked on coins, symbolizing the concepts of real estate investment and wealth accumulation.
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Homes and Hierarchy

Kristen Ghodsee, Tom Copley, Liam Halligan, Anna Minton
A close-up of a broken mirror reflecting distorted human eyes, suggesting themes of perception and fragmentation.
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Fragments and Reality

Michael Della Rocca, Tim Maudlin, Kathleen Higgins
An illustration depicting two human profiles; one side shows a chaotic, tangled brain, while the other features a clear, organized brain structure.
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Making Sense of Mental Health

Simon Wessely, Praveetha Patalay, Aaron Bastani
A vibrant and intricate illustration of various microorganisms and cell structures viewed through a microscope, featuring bacteria, protozoa, and cellular components in a dark background.
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The Reality of Living Forever

Sunetra Gupta, David Gems, Nolen Gertz
Abstract image of a human head in profile, with a black geometric shape resembling a box positioned in front of the face against a red background.

In Search of Oneself

Frank Furedi, John Vervaeke, Isabel Millar
A dynamic, vibrant abstraction of swirling lights in blue, purple, pink, and orange, creating a sense of movement and depth against a dark background.

Gravity and the Universe

Sabine Hossenfelder, Priya Natarajan, Erik Verlinde
A glowing blue exclamation mark made of connected geometric lines and points against a dark background, suggesting emphasis or alertness.

Danger, Safety and the Future

Frank Furedi, Paul Dolan, Carol Gilligan
An anatomical illustration of the human body, showcasing muscle structure and organ systems, surrounded by pages of text from a medical or biological book.

A Radical Step to Gender Equality

Anders Sandberg, Kristen Ghodsee, Mary Harrington
A vibrant explosion of orange and blue colors, featuring dynamic splashes and textures resembling paint, creating an artistic and abstract visual effect.

Particles, Physics and Fairy Tales

Sabine Hossenfelder, Gavin Salam, Hilary Lawson
A close-up of a curled fern frond with a blurred green background, highlighting the intricate spiral pattern of the unfolding leaves.

The Mystery of Emergence

Phillip Goff, Hilary Lawson, Suchitra Sebastian
An abstract underwater scene featuring colorful paint swirls and a shadowy figure, creating a sense of depth and artistic expression.

Creativity and Freedom

Myriam Francois, Jolyon Maugham, Joanna Kavenna
A darkened sky during a solar eclipse, showcasing a ring of light surrounding the moon as it partially obscures the sun.

The Shadow of Spirituality

Michael Shermer, John Vervaeke, Sophie-Grace Chappell
A digital collage featuring philosophers Fyodor Dostoevsky and Friedrich Nietzsche, set against a vibrant purple background.

Dostoevsky vs Nietzsche

Oliver Ready, Janne Teller, Kathleen Higgins