Do come and join us to watch and discuss the Blackham Lecture, which Humanists UK are putting out online. Psychologist and world renowned autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen will be talking about ‘The pattern seekers: a new theory of human invention’. In his lecture, he’ll put forward a bold new theory relating to our ability to identify patterns, specifically if-and-then patterns. Simon argues that the genes for this unique ability overlap with the genes for autism and have driven human progress for 70,000 years.

From the first musical instruments to the agricultural, industrial, and digital revolutions, Simon Baron-Cohen links one of our greatest human strengths with a condition that is so often misunderstood and challenges us to think differently about those of us who think differently.

We’ll be meeting on the premises of Birmingham Friends of the Earth, in Allison Street off Digbeth, as we’ve been unable to book our usual venue for that night. If you’re coming by car, you’ll find that there are parking meters nearby, which are free after 6.00pm. There are also several car parks close by.

The lecture starts at 6.00pm, but we’ll be there from 5.30 onwards. The transmission of the lecture finishes at 7.30. We’ve listed the end time for our meeting as 8.30, but it’s entirely up to those present how long they want to go on with the discussion.

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Please use the form below to book your place.