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

The ideas shaping our lives today - with artists and thinkers in debates and interviews.

The ideas shaping our lives today - with leading artists and thinkers in extended interview and debate.

Free Thinking: 2012 Festival

Free Thinking: 2012 Festival: Aliens: The Ultimate Them and Us

Aliens: The Ultimate Them and Us

21/11/2012

2012 Festival

BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking, 2012 Festival, Aliens: The Ultimate Them and Us

From the 2012 Free Thinking festival, Matthew Sweet chairs a debate on aliens.

From the 2012 Free Thinking festival, Matthew Sweet chairs a debate on aliens. With a panel including science-fiction writer Stephen Baxter and space scientist John Zarnecki.

Another chance to hear Matthew Sweet debating how the discovery of alien life might change the way we think about humanity.

Scientists have now detected distant planets that may contain life. If we are not alone in the Universe, will this fundamentally affect how we understand ourselves and should we prepare for the consequences? Ought we to begin work on a set of truly "universal" rights or prepare to take arms against the greatest threat to our existence?

Debating how the discovery of alien life will impact our moral and philosophical universe are the best-selling science-fiction writer Stephen Baxter, whose books include the latest Doctor Who novel, the science broadcaster and journalist Sue Nelson, the futurist and neuroscientist Anders Sandberg, and one of our leading space scientists, John Zarnecki, Professor of Space Science at the Open University.

The event is chaired by Night Waves presenter Matthew Sweet and was recorded as part of Radio 3's Free Thinking Festival 2012.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Series of events from the 2012 Free Thinking festival. The theme is 'them and us'

Series of events from the 2012 Free Thinking festival. The theme is 'them and us': exploring whether the world is becoming a more divided place, and how we define ourselves in relation to others

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