Great minds head to Ilkley Literature Festival

Wednesday, 25 September 2024 23:38

AC Grayling: Who Owns the Moon? is 17 Oct at the Kings Hall

Ilkley Literature Festival brings some of the UK’s leading minds to town this October.

2024’s programme features over 90 author events, with inspiring talks and big ideas.

Renowned philosopher AC Grayling returns with an out-of-this-world question as he discusses his latest book, Who Owns the Moon?

As Earth’s superpowers and wealthiest corporations turn their eyes to the stars, Grayling considers the future of space and the history of the places which no one owned and everyone made a grab for, from feudal common land, through the rules of the sea, to the vast, nationless expanse of Antarctica. Can we avoid repeating the competition and conflicts of the past in this new space race? Join Grayling as he confronts frontiers, past, present, and future.

Professor Grayling, a regular attendee at the Ilkley Literature Festival, said:

“I'm a big fan of the Ilkley Literature Festival, I love being there, always go for a walk up on the moor - and indeed, my father was a Yorkshireman and I support the county cricket team, I love all aspects of the county: the moors, dales, the coast, York, Harrogate, and much else - and feel an affinity with the place in general.”

Presented in partnership with Leeds Philosophical & Literary Society, space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock brings her passion and expert knowledge for an evening of wonder, celebrating the groundbreaking James Webb Space Telescope.

Aderin-Pocock, one of the British scientists who worked on the telescope, demystifies its stunning images of space, and decodes the secrets written in the stars. She’ll break down the essential science to show clearly what we’re seeing and learning from the most powerful space telescope mankind has yet created.

Erica Morris, director of Ilkley Literature Festival, said:

“Our festival has a legacy of bringing great thinkers, designed to challenge and inspire audiences. Join us for a series of events exploring critical insight into big concepts and issues, such as space, politics, and the future of humanity.”

Other mind-expanding topics the festival delves into this year include the rise of AI.

From Chat GPT to uncannily realistic chatbots, artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly prominent part of our daily lives. But is it helping or hindering humanity? Join leading international human rights lawyer and digital rights pioneer Susie Alegre for a timely conversation on what it means to be human in the age of AI.

Europe’s leading futurist Patrick Dixon also brings his insights into the future of AI, and mankind, to the people of Ilkley in a punchy, thought–provoking event. Hear Dixon – one of the most influential business thinkers alive today – assess the existential threats and tremendous benefits – from health and education to cybersecurity, the world of work, and humanity itself.

Tickets available via the Ilkley Literature Festival website www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk

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