Venom: Killer and Cure
Natural History Museum, 10th November to 13th May 2018
The sting of a large box jellyfish can kill a human within five minutes, giving it a starring role in the Natural History Museum’s new autumn exhibition. Venomous species are distinct from merely poisonous ones: they actively bite, sting or scratch in order to prey on other animals or defend themselves. Today, the toxins are being put to medicinal use too. Pain doesn’t necessarily equate to lethality: the tarantula hawk wasp delivers a kiss that is notoriously excruciating but not murderously so. Passion can also be perilous in the animal kingdom: emperor scorpions engage in stinging behaviour during sex. With live specimens on display, there will be plenty of little horrors to entertain your little horrors.
Festival of Social Science
Nationwide, 4th to 11th November
Do young people care more than older people about climate change? That’s one of the questions posed as part of this festival, an annual invitation for people to consider the important, influential and sometimes overlooked field of social science. As well as the climate event in Bristol, there is a London walking tour themed on the history of longitudinal studies; a Sheffield exploration of how urban planners are using virtual reality technology; an event in Swansea devoted to designing neighbourhoods for healthy ageing; and a discussion in Aberdeen of dating strategies used on the Tinder app. With events happening up and down the country, you’re bound to find a perfect match.
Natural History Museum, 10th November to 13th May 2018
The sting of a large box jellyfish can kill a human within five minutes, giving it a starring role in the Natural History Museum’s new autumn exhibition. Venomous species are distinct from merely poisonous ones: they actively bite, sting or scratch in order to prey on other animals or defend themselves. Today, the toxins are being put to medicinal use too. Pain doesn’t necessarily equate to lethality: the tarantula hawk wasp delivers a kiss that is notoriously excruciating but not murderously so. Passion can also be perilous in the animal kingdom: emperor scorpions engage in stinging behaviour during sex. With live specimens on display, there will be plenty of little horrors to entertain your little horrors.
Festival of Social Science
Nationwide, 4th to 11th November
Do young people care more than older people about climate change? That’s one of the questions posed as part of this festival, an annual invitation for people to consider the important, influential and sometimes overlooked field of social science. As well as the climate event in Bristol, there is a London walking tour themed on the history of longitudinal studies; a Sheffield exploration of how urban planners are using virtual reality technology; an event in Swansea devoted to designing neighbourhoods for healthy ageing; and a discussion in Aberdeen of dating strategies used on the Tinder app. With events happening up and down the country, you’re bound to find a perfect match.
