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The Reith Lectures

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Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

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The Reith Lectures: Martin Rees: Scientific Horizons: 2010

The Reith Lectures: Martin Rees - Scientific Horizons: Episode 4: The Runaway World

Martin Rees - Scientific Horizons

Episode 4

Episode 4: The Runaway World

The Runaway World

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Martin Rees - Scientific Horizons, The Runaway World

Prof Rees calls for the UK to stay at the forefront of scientific research and discovery.

Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society and Astronomer Royal, calls for the UK to stay at the forefront of scientific research and discovery.

THE REITH LECTURES 2010
4. The Runaway World 

In the last Reith Lecture of 2010, Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society and Astronomer Royal, explores how fast our world is moving in the 21st century. Speaking at the Open University in Milton Keynes, the home of online learning, he acknowledges how the internet and other technologies have transformed our lives. Now he calls on politicians and other authorities to provide the funding that will keep the UK among the world's front runners in scientific research and discovery. Without money and without education to attract young people into science, the UK is in danger of falling behind China and other countries in the Far East that are investing heavily in their science and technology sectors. Professor Rees ends his series of lectures evoking memories of the 'glorious' Ely Cathedral, near Cambridge, a monument built to last a thousand years.  If we, like the cathedral builders, redirect our energies and focus on the long-term, he believes together we can solve the problems that face our planet, and secure its future for billions of people worldwide and for generations to come. 
Producer: Kirsten Lass
Editor: Sue Ellis.

The Reith Lectures: Martin Rees - Scientific Horizons

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Prof Martin Rees on the challenges facing science in the 21st century.

Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, Master of Trinity College and Astronomer Royal, delivers four lectures exploring the challenges facing science in the 21st century.

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Episode 4: The Runaway World

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