London events for people with curious minds.
Monday 20 February
BRAIN STUFF: Novelist Matthew De Abaitua, Alok Jha from the Guardian's science desk and Will Self from...Will Self's house are at the Monday Club (The Assembly, Elder Street) to enquire as to how London affects your brain. A bit of oddness with food is also expected. The Assembly's website isn't working, and Time Out's description lacks a link or ticket price...maybe it's a test of your brain power. 7pm
POLICE NINJAS: Stevyn Colgan founded an experimental Scotland Yard unit that used creative thinking to solve crimes. He now writes for QI. That makes him doubly interesting, and you can hear more from the former sleuth at Skeptics in the Pub, tonight in the Monarch, Camden Town. £2, 7.30pm
Tuesday 21 February
CLIMATE CHANGE: Could Earth's rising temperatures lead to a more geologically active planet? Bill McGuire is on hand at the Royal Institution to monger some doom. £10, 7pm
ENERGY: If the RI's event sounds too gloomy, perhaps try the Dana Centre, where a panel will tonight discuss how engineering could help solve future energy problems. FREE, 7pm
Wednesday 22 February
DR SALTER: A few months ago, a much-loved sculpture of Dr Alfred Salter was stolen from Bermondsey riverside. But the theft can't diminish the achievements of Salter and his wife Ada, who championed public health improvements in Bermondsey from the 1920s. A new exhibition, called Here Comes Good Health, about his work opens at Wellcome Collection today. FREE, until 3 June
TUBE: A double-feature event at the Canal Museum, where Christopher Wolmar ponders "How the Tube Created London", followed by Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers who'll field a Q&A session about the future of the Underground. £10, 7pm
Thursday 23 February
SPACE: Londonist's M@ and comedian Helen Keen enthuse about space travel in Spacetacular! at the Roxy, with help from Gareth Jones (formerly known as Gaz Top), Kevin Fong and others. Expect science, comedy, quizzing, a short movie, fancy dress (optional), and lots of fun if you're passionate about space. £5, 7pm
ALT.MEDICINE: Natural remedies and herbal pills are sold to the public with very little medical testing compared to pharmaceuticals. Should we care? A panel at the Dana Centre tonight debates the dangers, perceived and real, with alternative therapies. FREE, 7pm
TECHBIZ: Are new tech startups driven more by the tech, or the imagination of the entrepreneur? A panel including TechHub founder Elizabeth Varley assembles at the Royal Institution to get to the bottom of it. £10, 7pm
LACK OF DOOM: When the world doesn't end in 2012, how will the believers cope? What makes people believe in prophecy, second comings, Armageddon and the like? David V Barrett offers his opinions upstairs at The Bell, Spitalfields in this month's London Fortean Society meeting. £3/£2, 7.30pm
Friday 24 February
ANTARCTICA: Discover why the frozen continent is of huge value to scientists and geologists at a special Natural History Museum talk. £10, 7pm
LATE DINOSAURS: Connected to the event above, the Natural History Museum will remain open late for anyone who favours dinosaur viewing at a nocturnal hour. FREE, till 10.30pm
Saturday 25 February
COMICS: The London Super Comic Convention is on at Excel all weekend and, get this, Stan Lee himself will be in attendance. Ticket price varies, 10am
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below. Or email us at matt-at-londonist.com to alert us to future events.
