Great Exhibition Road Festival: What Is the Weirdest Thing in the Universe?

Exhibition Road closes for the Great Exhibition Road Festival this weekend. Researchers from Imperial College London will debate the weirdest thing in the universe. Topics include black holes, quantum physics, and human consciousness as audiences vote for their favourite. The event aims to engage all ages through science and creativity.

This weekend, London’s Exhibition Road transforms, closing to traffic for the Great Exhibition Road Festival. The renowned institutions of South Kensington are joining forces, and at the heart of the festivities, researchers from Imperial College London (ICL) will dive into a particularly peculiar question – what’s the weirdest thing in the universe?

Among those presenting is ICL research fellow Mariana Carrillo Gonzalez, who boldly suggests that black holes hold this title. These enigmatic regions of space have such immense gravity that not even light can unleash itself from their grasp. Mariana highlights the conundrum scientists face: “We still have no clue how they work. We can prove they are there; we just have no idea what’s inside.” The quest for knowledge is ongoing, and Mariana finds the mystery of black holes profoundly strange.

Then, postdoctoral researcher Rita Ahmadi takes the conversation in a different direction, asserting quantum physics is even more bizarre. This area of study focuses on subatomic particles and reveals a world governed by rules that defy classical physics. Rita explains that particles can exist in a state of superposition, which means they can be observed in two different states simultaneously. Figuring out quantum systems, however, is tricky as any interference alters their state. Despite their baffling nature, Rita believes this research is crucial for the future, saying, “I’m building devices out of quantum computing even without understanding if it makes sense.”

Lastly, Fernando Ernesto Rosas De Andraca brings a unique perspective, naming human consciousness as the oddest phenomenon. He notes the irony in how consciousness seems to arise from non-conscious neurons. “The only thing you cannot doubt is your consciousness, but it’s invisible to others, so they can doubt it,” he remarks, highlighting the conundrums of understanding consciousness. Fernando also expresses a fascination with artificial intelligence, pondering whether AI might one day attain consciousness, which raises ethical questions for humanity.

The Great Exhibition Road Festival, boasting various activities from insect yoga to robotics, aims to engage all ages in science and the arts. Festival organiser James Romero believes these presentations bring a creative edge to research discussions. “It’s challenging researchers to tweak the public lecture format,” he mentions, noting that a competitive element is introduced as the audience will vote for the oddest phenomenon presented.

Indeed, there’s a playful yet serious tone to the debate, with the researchers ready to defend their claims. “I take debates very seriously,” Rita states, hinting that perhaps the stakes are higher than mere curiosity.

The Weirdest Object in the Universe debate will be held in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building at Imperial College London at 15:30 BST on Saturday and is free to attend. Join the fun as these academic minds battle it out over the quirks of the cosmos!

Keep up with the festival and catch highlights from the event through BBC Radio London.

The Great Exhibition Road Festival showcases science’s most perplexing mysteries. Researchers from Imperial College London present their thoughts on black holes, quantum physics, and human consciousness. The festival not only engages audiences with science but also provides a platform for lively debates among researchers. Ultimately, attendees can vote on what they think is truly the weirdest thing in the universe during the event, blending fun with learning.

Original Source: www.bbc.com