Unable to travel, Professor Stephen Hawking delivers his lecture on the future of humanity via live link from Cambridge, England, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
The third day of Starmus IV, Tuesday June 20, 2017, began as they all did, with some scattered morning programs. Some of these included on various days informal talks and lectures, and panel discussions. I participated in one at the Kaspersky Lab centering on what Earth will be like in 2050. I’ve never considered myself a strong futurist, but it was really fun talking about — and hearing from the crowd over — what life in the future may be like. And almost every day, in the same area, the Starmus staff held a book signing. Along with Garik Israelian, Bob Williams, Jill Tarter, Jim Al-Kalili, Bob Wilson, and others, we must have autographed 300 or 400 books.
Rainer Bock, Sergey Novikov, Dave Eicher, and Bob Williams discuss what Earth will be like in 2050, Kaspersky Lab, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 19, 2017.
Bob Williams, Dave Eicher, and Jill Tarter at a Starmus book signing, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 19, 2017.
Starmus book signing featuring Garik Israelian, Michel Mayor, Jill Tarter, Dave Eicher, and Bob Williams, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 19, 2017.
After the major ceremonies began, Professor Stephen Hawking delivered a substantial address on the future of humanity, via live link. He was originally expected to travel to Trondheim to physically attend the Festival, but health concerns kept him in England, so the talk came via live video from Cambridge. It was a call to arms to understand science and to get the planet in order, as for now it’s the only home we have.
Garik Israelian at Starmus book signing, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 19, 2017.
Next, we were treated to a moonwalkers panel discussion featuring Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, and Jack Schmitt, with Neil deGrasse Tyson moderating. Buzz was also feeling under the weather and so could not come but joined us via live video link from his home in Florida.
Jack Schmitt and Charlie Duke discuss their Apollo experiences with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
Next, an awards ceremony followed with the Stephen Hawking Medals for Science Communication, which were given to Neil deGrasse Tyson for his superb science writing, television presenting, and inspirational skills; the creators of The Big Bang Theory TV series; and the influential electronic musician and composer Jean-Michel Jarre.
Under the weather and so joining us via live link from his home in Florida, Buzz Aldrin appeals to the audience to “get your *** to Mars,” Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
We then went straight into an amazing concert, with Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist May-Britt Moser explaining her cutting edge research on the brain and its positional system, accompanied by a haunting musical score from the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra.
Nobel Prize winner May-Britt Moser describes her research on the brain, accompanied by a unique musical presentation, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
Brian Greene then narrated a musical story focused on the idea of Icarus, and musician Ane Brun joined the orchestra for some amazing music. The amazing Steve Vai, master of the sonic spaceship guitar — I closed my eyes and thought I was hearing Jimi Hendrix! — joined the orchestra for a blistering show. He was also joined by friends Nuno Bettancourt and Devin Townsend.
Norwegian singer Ane Brun joins the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra for evening entertainment, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
Steve Vai joins the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra to crank up the level with supersonic guitar, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
American singer-songwriter Grace Potter joins Steve Vai’s band and the orchestra for some energized tunes, Spektrum Hall, Trondheim, Norway, June 20, 2017.
Again, exhausted, we were at the end of a long day and ready for more tomorrow!