London events for people with curious minds.
Happy Social Media Week! The worldwide cavalcade of all things digital and sharey has a particularly strong London presence, with over 150 events in the calendar. Many are aimed at those who use social media professionally, but there are also numerous 'how to' events and general booze chats. Go take a gander.
Elsewhere around town this week:
Monday 13 February
SMALL THINGS: Learn about recent improvements in microscopy at the Royal Society. FREE, 6.30pm
BOOKS: Fiction Lab returns to the Royal Institution. Basically, its a book club for people who enjoy novels with a strong science — but not necessarily science fiction — theme, a genre known as LabLit. This month's book is The Fear Index by Robert Harris. FREE, 7pm
Tuesday 14 February
ANIMAL LOVE: The Grant Museum has an adults-only evening devoted to mating rituals in animals. Glass of wine included. £4, 5.30pm onwards.
LOVE BUGS: Head to the Hunterian Museum tonight, where the Science London team present a Valentine's special about microbes and love, including a hands-on session (don't worry, you'll only be making cuddly bacteria dolls). £2 donation, 6pm
THROBBING PISTONS: It's 300 years since the invention of the Newcomen Engine. It's also Valentine's Day. Hey presto, the catchline for this event writes itself. Shunt yourself to the Building Centre (just off Tottenham Court Road) for a talk about Mr Newcomen and his remarkable machinery. FREE, 6.30pm
NEUROLAW: Will developments in neuroscience change the way we view culpability and responsibility? Might 'My brain made me do it' become a criminal defence? London School of Economics brings together scientists and legal experts to explore the area. FREE, 6.30pm
Wednesday 15 February
SURGERY: The Royal Institution mounts the Valentine's wagon, albeit a day late, with a heart-themed panel discussion. Specifically, the past, present and future of heart transplants. Not so romantic, then. Speakers include Kevin Fong (off the tele), Sir Terrance English (the surgeon behind Britain's first successful heart transplant), and Richard Barnett (author of Medical London). £10, 7pm
Thursday 16 February
GAMING: Meet Hironobu Sakaguchi, developer of the Final Fantasy series, at a special Q&A at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly. £5, 7pm
MEDICINE: Join a panel discussion on the history and future of human medicine at the Dana Centre tonight. FREE, 7pm
Saturday 18 February
NONE SHALL PASS! Can you endure the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in one sitting? If so, book for this all-nighter at the BFI IMAX. Then do it all again on 24 March. There's a prize for best fancy dress. £29.50/£21, 11.59pm
Sunday 19 February
APOCALYPSE SOON: The end of the world is coming, for sure. There was a big Hollywood film about it and everything. Prepare for the worst with The Event 2, a repeat of last Sunday's comedic guide to surviving the end of the world. A selection of japesters, scientists and doom-mongers share the stage at The Albany, Great Portland Street. £5, 2pm
Booking Ahead
SPACETACULAR! Probably the world's first variety/comedy/quiz/science/fun night devoted to all things outer space (featuring Londonist editor M@ as well as TV stars Gaz Top (Gareth Jones) and Kevin Fong) is at the Roxy Bar and Screen on 23 February. Tickets here. £5, 7pm
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments. Or tip us off about upcoming events by emailing [email protected]
