Infinite Monkey Cage Chicago: now with more celebrity

March 5, 2015 • 1:15 pm

I’ve been told that although tonight’s show in New York is sold out, there are still some seats left at the Chicago performance of the Infinite Monkey Cage this Saturday (8 p.m. at the Athenaeum Theater, tickets available here). The hosts are physicists Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, the scientists are paleobiologist Paul Sereno and I, and they’ve added the final celebrity guest to join polymath Peter Sagal: I’ve been told that Julia Sweeney will now be participating as well. I’m also told that the general topic will be evolution, with special emphasis on the origin of species (my speciality, thank Ceiling Cat). There will also undoubtedly be some discussion of religion as an impediment to understanding evolution, especially with the outspoken atheist Julia Sweeney on tap. And there will be audience Q&A at the end.

The whole megillah should last about 90 minutes, so if you’re game, I am.

27 thoughts on “Infinite Monkey Cage Chicago: now with more celebrity

  1. Hope they talk about the upcoming extinction of Islam!! 🙂
    Sounds like a great time!

  2. I hope there is at least one crackpot in the Q&A. Nothing is quite so clarifying and entertaining as hearing a good creationist smackdown! If not, then we will have to settle for edifying and entertaining, which will be great, too!

    1. They don’t have crackpots on TIMC. I have listened to every single episode and there’s not been any. I’m sure they wouldn’t consider it appropriate.

  3. You could suggest Diane Morgan and Laurie Santos as future guests on the same programme. Professor Santos researches economics among non-human Primates or, rather, monkeys and money…

  4. I’m a regular listener to TIMC so will be doubly looking forward to the program with Professor Ceiling Cat.

  5. I have a feeling you’ll get along swimmingly with Julia. Judging by her interviews she is a very sweet and down-to-earth person who just sorta accidentally became famous in the 90s and then went back to being ordinary person afterwards. Try to get her to tell you the story about how she met her husband.

    1. Me, too! And Diana and I could go and ask some “Cunkish” questions?? Uh, Mr. Science Man, sir…

  6. That’s my old neighbourhood! If you have time for noms before the event, I’d recommend you stop by Frances’ Deli at 2552 N. Clark St. (corner of Clark and Wrightwood). Amazing classic sandwiches and the absolute best milkshakes (pricey, but worth it).

  7. I’ll be there! As a WEIT lurker and TIMC listener, I’m thrilled to be going.

  8. I’ll be there. I’m taking my creationist father with. I’ll try to encourage him to ask something he’s been struggling with during the Q&A period. Probably something to do with abiogenesis. Don’t be too hard on him! Looking forward to it and see you all there!

    1. I applaud you and your father. You for convincing him. Him for choosing to enter an environment where a fundamental part of his worldview will be comprehensively challenged.

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