Early booking discount ends today | Reality+ from the Matrix to the Metaverse with philosopher David Chalmers

The new 2022 Big Thinkers series

THURSDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2022 | 6-7pm GMT | 1-2pm EST | ON-DEMAND   EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT ENDS TODAY! Virtual reality technology is advancing fast. Many predict that a virtual-reality “metaverse” will be the next stage of the internet, and that we may eventually have complete simulated universes as in The Matrix films. Some even contend we live in such a world already. In this talk, philosopher David Chalmers looks at these claims, and draws on science, technology and science fiction as well as philosophy to argue that worlds generated by computers need not be fake or fictional realities. They will no doubt bring many wonderful and terrible things, but they will offer the full range of the human condition – and the lives we live in them can be just as meaningful as in the real realities. FIND OUT MORE | REGISTER NOW ALSO IN THE BIG THINKERS SERIES WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT GRAVITY 31 March 2022 | 6pm - 7pm BST | 1-2pm EDT | On-demand We are all familiar with the concept of gravity, from the force that keeps us firmly on the ground, to the phenomenon that explains the orbits of the planets in the Solar System and the whole structure of our Universe. But what exactly is gravity? Is it a force? Is it the manifestation of the Curvature of spacetime? In this talk, Claudia de Rham will explore how much we actually know about gravity and how much more there is left to uncover. Claudia de Rham, Professor of Physics, Imperial College London FIND OUT MORE | REGISTER NOW Facebook Twitter Instagram This email has been sent to submitpostforlive@gmail.com UNSUBSCRIBE from the New Scientist Events emails   MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT to select which emails you receive PRIVACY POLICY CONTACT US   Disclaimer This message is intended only for the use of the person(s) ("Intended Recipient") to whom it is addressed. It may contain information which is privileged and confidential. Accordingly any dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of this message or any of its content by any person other than the Intended Recipient may constitute a breach of civil or criminal law and is strictly prohibited. If you are not the Intended Recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible.   We and our third party service providers may use cookies and other web technologies in conjunction with this email. These technologies are used to understand activity with this email and on certain portions of our website. This enables us to improve our site, your experience on our site, and the offerings that we may provide to you. If you do not want these technologies placed on your device, please opt-out of receiving emails from us. Copyright New Scientist Registered Office: New Scientist, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, Kensington, London, W8 5TT Registered in England under Company No. 10644366 Australian mailing address: PO Box 2315, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia Registered in Australia under ABN 22 621 413 170