Rounding up the best of science, technology and general geekdiness from around town.
Monday
SCI-FI: The Sci-Fi London festival comes to a close today with a trio of screenings including (remember this?) Escape to Witch Mountain. There's also a sci-fi 'pub' quiz to tackle, 2pm at the Apollo Cinema.
Tuesday
MEETUP: Are you a scientist or like hanging out with scientists? Enjoy booze? Then head along to the Brixton Ritzy tonight (8pm) for the first ever Science In The Pub. FREE
TECH: 'The Smart Urban Stage & Future Minds Exhibition' has to be the most off-putting name we've ever heard, but dig into the blurb and some promising themes emerge. The exhibition, based in Doon Street car park, looks at how ideas and innovation will shape the future of life in the city. Expect zero-emission cars, creative fashion, and gadgets galore. Curated by Jo Whiley, Lauren Laverne, Ortis Deley, Tom Dyckhoff and William Tempest and open 8am to 8pm until 16 May.
Wednesday
AI: Brian Christian, author of The Most Human Human, will be at LSE's Wolfson Theatre to ponder what it means to be human in a world of increasing computer sophistication. It's FREE, and you just need to turn up for a 6.30pm start.
Thursday
ANIMATION: Fancy starring in an animated music video? If so, drop in to production company Atticus Finch’s Open Studio from 2pm to have your movements captured and turned into some kind of crazy cartoon. Rather sinisterly, we don't know what it's for. Could be the next The Vaccines video, could be the next Tesco advert.
NEURO: How we perceive pleasure and pain are intimately connected. Just ask a QPR fan. Scientists are beginning to unravel how the nervous system relays these seemingly opposite sensations. At the Royal Institution tonight, the beautifully named Dr Morten Kringlebach gives pleasure while Prof Irene Tracey talks pain. 7pm, £10, prebook.
SCI-FI: The Science Fiction Book Club host award-winning novelist China Meiville for a talk in Foyles gallery. The talk begins at £6.30 and attendance costs just £1 (though you should join the meetup group and prebook).
Booking ahead
TECH: Which Way To Techno-Utopia?, asks a special event at the Free Word Centre (Farringdon Road) on 23 May. Speakers include tech writer Gia Milinovich, science journo Angela Saini, and chronicler of weird things Ken Hollings. The panel will be debating how technology is changing society and whether we are the slaves or masters.
SCIENCE: The London Science Festival takes place 19-26 October. The organisers are still looking for people or groups interested in running an event during the festival, but the deadline for application is almost here (13 May). If you'd like to get involved, you can apply here.
Have we missed anything? Let us know before and we'll update the listings.
