HowTheLightGetsIn returns to The Globe at Hay for 2012 (From Hereford Times)

HowTheLightGetsIn returns to The Globe at Hay for 2012

1:10pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Hay-on-Wye

IT’S festival time again, with booking open for all the major events taking place locally over the next few months.

Among them is the unique art and philosophy festival HowTheLightGetsIn at The Globe at Hay.

On this year’s packed programme of thought-provoking debates and discussions, from May 31 to June 10, are events featuring some of the most renowned thinkers of the day.

Independent scientist James Lovelock will be making a powerful case for freedom of scientific speech, while technology is taken to task by world-leading cybernetics expert and cyborg Kevin Warwick, Cambridge professor of mind and metaphysics Tim Crane, journalist, author and BBC broadcaster Angela Saini, and Oxford philosopher of information Luciano Floridi. Is it mankind’s salvation, or has a technological arms race taken the place of meaningful human goals?

The limits of science will be considered by controversial biologist and author of The Science Delusion, Rupert Sheldrake, physician and historian of science James Le Fanu and Think editor Stephen Law.

“Science is poetic, ought to be poetic and has much to learn from poets” said Richard Dawkins. But can poetry really contribute to the progress of science? Or is the poet’s eye, “in fine frenzy rolling”, no more than an imaginative flourish?

The nature of science and art come under a rigorous philosophical microscope.

Eminent moral philosopher Mary Midgley investigates the quest for immortality, asking whether attaining biblical lifespans, as scientists claim will soon be possible is plausible, or even desirable.

From love and language to death and DNA, more than 400 events ensure that there is a dizzying array of food for thought on offer during the 10 days of the festival.

Among others on the line-up are radical lawyer and advocate Polly Higgins, eminent diplomat and government advisor Crispin Tickell, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson, Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis, politician and broadcaster Diane Abbott, former Home Secretary David Blunkett and artist Stella Vine.

But as the sun goes down thinking caps will be exchanged for dancing shoes with a themed party every night, from the Sunday Special to the Saturday Shindig, and a great range of live events that includes maverick singer-songwriter Cosmo Jarvis, legendary chanteuse and Nancy Sinatra favourite Anne Pigalle, ‘carnivalesque kings’ Man Like Me, Shona Foster – widely heralded as the new Kate Bush – and band of the moment, Kites.

For more details and bookings, visit howthelightgetsin.org.