London events for people with curious minds.
Monday 9 January
BOOKS: Fiction Lab returns to the Royal Institution (check out their new website...nice). It's basically a book club for people who enjoy science depicted in fiction (but, not necessarily, science fiction). Today's book is The Sky's Dark Labyrinth by Stuart Clark. FREE, 7pm
Tuesday 10 January
TECH EXCESS: If you're drowning in digital devices and spending far too much time titting about on Twitter, techspert Daniel Sieberg, speaking at LSE, will share tips on reclaiming your life and using technology more sensibly. FREE, 6.30pm
SKEPTICISM: This month's Skeptics In The Pub (Monarch, Camden) features well-regarded science journo Martin Robbins, who lifts the lid on homeopathy and other 'bad science' in the developing world. £2, 7.30pm
SPOOKY STUFF: Treadwell's Bookshop plays host to Sarah Sparkes who talks about famous ghost hunter Harry Price. £7, 7.30pm
Thursday 12 January
SPACE ROCKS: Colin Pillinger, he of the luxuriant mutton chops and stray Beagle, entertains the Royal Society crowds with a talk about meteorites. FREE, 5.30pm
ENGINEERING: A slightly odd venue-subject pairing sees Robert Hulse, Director of the Brunel Museum, talking about his hero (Brunel) at the German Lutheran Church on Alie Street. £5, 6pm
Saturday 14 January
MORE SPOOKINESS: An all-day conference at Conway Hall takes a closer look at spirits, mediums and ghosts. But this is no den of woo. The programme includes noted skeptics Richard Wiseman and Chris French among many other thoughtful speakers. £10, 10.30am
SCI-FI: It's the first meeting of the year for the London Sci-Fi/Fantasy Group. Mad Hatter pub as always. All welcome. FREE, 5pm
Booking Ahead
- Tickets are now on sale for the Kinetica Art Fair, the hugely popular mart for smart art. If you enjoy 'the convergence of kinetic, electronic, robotic, sound, light, time-based and multi-disciplinary new media art, science and technology', you'll be in digital heaven. The fair also includes talks, performances and exhibitions. It's at Ambika P3 on Marylebone Road, 9-12 February. £8-£15.
- Having sold out the Bloomsbury Theatre for their January gig, Festival of the Spoken Nerd will retread those same boards on 22 May. Best book now for an evening of geeky entertainment. £12
