Ideas So Big They Look Like Magic
We have been in this game of seamlessly creating ideas in the minds of our guests for a decade, and have seen so many changes in the way we interact with ideas. Particularly with science and scientists where our expectations seem at odds with what they are offering, to look to them for absolute certainty is to misunderstand what they offer. We want to claim our space on the dance floor, on the main stage at ALSO we want to hear about the work from people who have such big ideas that they almost seem like magic. Our main stage is for those authors, experts, academics who work with ideas and research as their material and are striving to sculpt the best of our human knowledge that exists which is their work in to something so big, so needed and so beautiful that almost seems like it is magic because that’s the easiest way to describe it…..and if they have wrestled with their work enough to be on the ALSO stage then blimey they deserve our attention.
For ten years ago the ALSO main stage has been the place that debated, suggested and explored what we would need in the decade that was coming at us, the way our mental health would change, our relationship with technology get more intense, that AI was stupid yet dangerous, the role of psychedelics in our health, lifestyle and even love lives, cracking consciousness, routes to radical life extension, of our microbiome, of lo and no alcohol, and as much forest bathing and exercise in nature as we can, of reclaiming classical myths for all and promoting those who call for a broader more inclusive society, and of course the need to dance and sing and to come together to hear music and have audio adventures. We have championed the circular economy, sustainable fashion and ungendered brains - are all things we put in the ALSO field years before they became the things we cared about - we were prepared, briefed, ready. Look at where our talent is now compared to ten years ago, Tim Spector, David Nutt, Kate Raworth, Margaret Heffernan, David Speigelhalter, Philippa Perry, Jamie Bartlett, Natalie Haynes, Anil Seth. Come see the interesting thinkers present the ideas we need for the next 10 years.
How will we do it in 23? Our mainstage will focus on this theme - showcasing scientific ideas almost blend into magic, psychological solace for a thriving life, and experts and debates to take you to the edge of what we know as humans on our incredible main stage, flanked by nature and framed by a beautiful wide lake.