Furnace

From the host of Atom and The Secret Life of Chaos

furnace — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:47:51 +0000

comes a new mini-series exploring Physics. This time Professor Jim Al-Khalili goes on the ultimate brain-melting adventure, an epic journey from infinity to nothing and back. In the first film Jim investigates whether or not the universe is infinitely large and in the second, he investigates what the vacuum consists of.

Strange as it sounds, these two questions allow Jim to explore the key discoveries and ideas in modern physics, and in a playful and entertaining way report from the frontline of modern science as well as encountering some amazing events and characters from the history of mathematics and physics.

Over the course of two episodes Jim will meet the world’s leading scientists, and the films will also be a visual treat, visiting stunning locations and deploying inventive and innovative filming techniques.

Reporting from the Frontline of Genetic Science

furnace — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:39:22 +0000

Evidence from the frontline of genetic science provides fascinating insights into how humans tick, what kills us and what doesn’t, as well as into our evolutionary history. It also opens up intriguing possibilities for our future – this science may transform everything, from the medicines we take to what we are. In two 60 minute films Me and My Genes will delve deep into all this.

The science does not definitively reveal which is more important, nature or nurture, genes or environment. It offers no magical way of predicting the future of any individual human. It starts with the humble acknowledgement that the way in which the bare genetic code we inherit turns into a living, breathing person is perhaps one of the most complex processes human science has ever tried to untangle.

These films will report with great clarity what we know about this process. They will also celebrate the enormous mysteries that remain unsolved.

Sometimes, as Douglas Adams showed, the question is more interesting than the answer.

Everything and Nothing

furnace — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:10:13 +0000

Prepare yourselves for a helter-skelter ride through some of the most exhilarating scientific and philosophical ideas the human race has ever encountered. We will discover what happened before the Big Bang, peer into the impossible centre of a Black Hole, find out how big the universe really is, that some infinities are bigger than others and reveal the seething intensity of activity that takes place in the sheer nothingness. And we shall also find out why the Vacuum Cleaner is the most significant discovery in the history of the human race.

2 x 60 minutes for BBC4

Me and My Genes

furnace — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:52:38 +0000

Are we defined by our genes? Or can we transcend them? Is our fate determined by the particular variant of the DNA molecule we inherit or can we break free of genetic code? Is there such a thing as ‘genetic determinism’ or are we in control of our lives?

This two part series will seek answers to all these questions and more on both a personal and public level.

2 x 60 minutes for BBC4 and the Open University

scienceblog.com/notrocketscience

furnace — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:14:30 +0000

The RI Lectures were beautifully delivered, wonderfully interactive and incredibly informative, even for a professional science writer.

The Guardian

furnace — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:00:06 +0000

This crash course in chaos theory was brilliant – although I did have to watch it twice. Jim Al-Khalili is a brilliant presenter, clear and engaging… the science was beautifully woven in with the human stories of pioneers such as Alan Turing

Time Out

furnace — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:17:28 +0000

Never let it be said that BBC4 documentaries don’t aim high. This approachable and fascinating film… which over the course of an hour bowls along far more merrily than the subject matter suggests it has any right to… sees Professor Jim Al-Khalili addressing the biggest questions of all: how did we get here? And where are we going?

Radio Times

furnace — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:11:44 +0000

Jim Al-Khalili delivers a mind-blowing examination of the weird relationship between order and chaos in the natural world. It’s a terrific mix of vivid storytelling, big ideas and stunning visuals. It’s only the second week of January and already here’s a candidate for science documentary of the year.

The Guardian

furnace — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:57:14 +0000

The Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures almost make the festive season bearable.

Sales & Licensing

furnace — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:50:55 +0000

For further information about these programmes, please contact the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS

Tel: +44 (0)20 7409 2992
Fax: +44 (0)20 7670 2920