ON FRIDAY 29 September at 2 pm, a hush fell over the main stage at 快猫短视频 Live. On the big screen we saw the European Space Agency mission control room near Munich, Germany. A voice came through. 鈥淓uropean Space Agency, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event?鈥� With the legendary words 鈥渢his is Houston鈥�, we knew we were involved in something special. Then the picture cut to astronaut Paolo Nespoli, floating in the International Space Station. There was a collective intake of breath, then cheers and whoops broke out: we were talking to someone in space!
For some, this was the highlight of the four-day event. For others it was seeing a colony of naked mole rats, or Wayne McGregor creating a science-inspired dance. I鈥檒l try to pick just a few others from what was an awe-inspiring experience.
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Doug Turnbull from the University of Newcastle gave a moving presentation on the technology now available to treat mitochondrial disease. Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind revealed the power of artificial intelligence and its ability to unlock human potential. Sean Carroll of the California Institute of Technology spoke about what happened at the origin of the universe, and blew everyone鈥檚 minds. And Margaret Atwood shared her thoughts on science and fiction, and came out with this gem on stage: 鈥淚鈥檓 here,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ecause I read 快猫短视频.鈥�
It was thrilling to see the enthusiasm for science filling the show. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing,鈥� said neuroscientist Adrian Owen. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 great for science, especially at the moment.鈥�
Thanks to the more than 30,000 of you who helped make the show such a success: see you again in 2018.
鈥淚nspiring to see so many children involved. Catching the imagination of the next generation of scientists鈥�
鈥撀�快猫短视频 Live attendee Jane Sill
鈥淲hat a wonderful, inspiring day of discovery!鈥�
鈥� 快猫短视频 Live attendee Charlotte Middlehurst
鈥淚鈥檓 here because I read 快猫短视频鈥�
鈥� Margaret Atwood
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淪how time!鈥�