The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

I have finished watching the TV series of Christmas Lectures for Young People at the Royal Institution in London, that I recorded during the Chrimbo festivities. This year they were on the subject of The Brain, by Professor Bruce Hood. Not so much on the biology of the brain, but the way it handles and stores information. As usual, they were very entertaining. The lectures were started by Michael Faraday in 1825 and have been a feature ever since.

It was great to see so many young people listening and absolutely fascinated.  Hopefully, many more of them will be tempted into science and engineering than has been the case recently. I know I was lucky enough to go to one when I was at school, on the subject of the chemistry of explosions, and it was really interesting with many spectacular demos. This is what finally persuaded me to study Chemistry at Uni. and set me onto my career of research and then advanced software development.

Long may they continue.

11 thoughts on “The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures”

  1. The subject of chemistry explosions???? sounds like a breeding ground for Muslim fanatics 🙂

    Seriously you are right we need more science and engineers if we are to drag ourselves out of the mire we are in, but alas chemistry in schools now is not hands on, it is sit back all dressed up and watch the teacher in case poor little kiddy get hurts and sues the school.

    On a side issue Feeg, where do you live? (not address just town)

  2. Interesting, FEEG, well yes, it might be, if I had the faintest idea about chemistry, which I sadly don’t!
    I had to live with daughter No.2, who took chemistry A’Level. Gave up and switched her from day girl to boarder after a couple of weeks.

    Sounds a bit dramatic, but well worth it to spare my ignorance. Interestingly there are now courses to help scientists communicate with the rest of the world, but perhaps , and there well be be, an idiots guide for arts graduates to catch up with the scientists, although I gather this is simply not possible. 🙂

    Nothing like the mortification of a QC friend whose son took up astrophysics and pure maths. They were worlds apart.

  4. Hi Feeg, do you remember an American TV series from the 60s called Watch Mr Wizard? We used to watch, mostly because we found his accent and pronunciation hysterical. He said things like ‘glass toob’ and ‘paper sack’. In any event I was recently reminded of these programs when I was reminiscing, following the death of my childhood friend. What is remarkable is the absence of excessive health and safety regulations as Mr Wizard shows Buzz the workings of combustion engines. Programs would never get past the safety elves today. But, I am sure many children had their scientific nterest piqued by the series.

  5. Rick: You are right about elfin safety. M25 Ville is as precise as I am prepared to be.

    Ara: The lectures were not about chemistry but about how the brain processes and stores data. They illustrated why many optical illusions work and how young children learn languages and stuff like that. I am sure you would find it interesting. The audience did. I still think chemistry is interesting, although I have not done any work in it for 30 years or more.

    Sipu: I cannot say I saw that series, but it sounds as if I would have liked it.

  6. FEEG, I believe the revival of interest in science and maths has already begun. More A level candidtaes, more uni places.

  7. I used to love the Christmas Lectures on the BBC when I was a kid, although it got me interested in Science unlike FEEG I did not persue a career in it. But, I did see a lecture very similar to the one Mr Wizard showed the young kid in the clip and from that I learned how to set fire to my farts. So thanks Royal Society, my time was not wasted.

  10. I think I must have missed out, I am ashamed to say that until now I have never heard of the said lectures.

    Thank you, FEEG and others, I think they sound very interesting. I wish I had heard of them before.

Add your Comment