Abstract: Violence is the leitmotif of the universe. It was born in a big bang. Its fundamental structure was forged in a searing maelstrom of unimaginable ferocity, at temperatures exceeding a trillion degrees. Its history is one of cataclysmic explosions, implosions and collisions of literally astronomical proportions. Yet amid this cosmic mayhem, life has not only emerged, but flourished. How has something so delicate and elaborate as life made a home amid the chaos of a violent universe? Paul Davies shall examine three threats to life of increasing severity—the impact of comets and asteroids, the explosion of stars, and the big bang itself—and argue that each has a creative as well as a destructive aspect in the story of life. Indeed, it seems to some as if the universe is unreasonably bio-friendly.
Biographical note: Paul Davies is theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, author and broadcaster. He currently holds the position of Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University. His previous academic appointments were at the Universities of Cambridge, London, Newcastle upon Tyne and Adelaide. His research has ranged from the origin of the universe to the origin of life, and includes the properties of black holes, the nature of time and quantum field theory. Davies is well known as the winner of the 1995 Templeton Prize—the world's largest annual prize—for his work on science and religion. In addition to his research, Professor Davies is well known as an author, broadcaster and public lecturer. He has written over twenty-five books, both popular and specialist works, which have been translated into many languages. He writes regularly for newspapers, journals and magazines in several countries, and has been a longstanding contributor to The Economist, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Bulletin and New Scientist. He was for two years a weekly opinion columnist for the Adelaide Advertiser. Among Davies's better-known media productions were a series of 45 minute BBC Radio 3 science documentaries. Two of these became successful books and one, Desperately Seeking Superstrings, won the Glaxo Science Writers Fellowship. In early 2000 he devised and presented a three-part series for BBC Radio 4 on the origin of life, entitled The Genesis Factor. His television projects include two six-part Australian series The Big Questions and More Big Questions and a 2003 documentary on BBC4 about his work in astrobiology entitled The Cradle of Life. This media work was recognized by the award of the 2001 Kelvin Medal by the UK Institute of Physics and the 2002 Michael Faraday Prize by the Royal Society for his contributions to promoting science to the public. In April 1999 the asteroid 1992 OG was officially named (6870) Pauldavies in his honour. Paul Davies has achieved an international reputation for his ability to explain the significance of advanced scientific ideas in simple language. He has written over 25 books which have been translated into more than 20 languages. Among his better known works are God and the New Physics, The Cosmic Blueprint, The Mind of God, and Are We Alone? His latest book, The Fifth Miracle, is about the origin of life and the possibility of life on Mars. This event is free and all are welcome, but TICKETS ARE ESSENTIAL to gain entry. Tickets are available from the Octagon Theatre box office, t: 6488 2440, Mon-Fri 12:00-4:15pm. Early bookings are advised, limit of 6 tickets per customer applies.
|
|
© 2001-2010
The University of Western Australia Questions? Mail [email protected] |
