Subscribe to the Academy of Ideas Substack for more information on the next Battle and future events: https://clairefox.substack.com/subscribe BALLOON DEBATE: WHAT'S THE GREATEST SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH OF THE PAST 20 YEARS? https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/balloon-debate-whats-the-greatest-scientific-or-medical-breakthrough-of-the-past-20-years/ The Battle of Ideas festival is 20 years old this year. As a festival that has always celebrated scientific progress, we’re marking this anniversary with this special Balloon Debate, which tackles the world’s greatest scientific or medical breakthrough over the lifetime of the festival. Six participants will argue for their choice in a light-hearted debate with a serious intent. Audience participation encourages you to agree, disagree, challenge, assess… and dismiss those arguments and the scientific or medical developments that you find unworthy to wear the crown. The panel will have a few minutes only to convince you of their choice. Could it be CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology? How about Functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)? Maybe it’s the iPhone, artificial photosynthesis to create carbon-neutral fuels, AI and large language models (LLMs), artificial organs, the Higgs Boson discovery, weight-loss drugs or self-driving cars that will win your favour. This balloon debate will be informative and fun. There will be outrage as apparent frontrunners get knocked out and less-obvious challengers make a charge for the podium. The discussion allows just three minutes for each panellist’s defence before you, the audience, takes them to task. You can challenge or reinforce their choice. The audience then votes to chuck three contenders out of the virtual balloon before the remaining candidates make a final plea for your vote. You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to determine the greatest scientific and medical breakthrough of this generation. Come along and make history. Speakers Dr Stuart Derbyshire associate professor, deputy head of psychology, National University of Singapore Dominic Frisby writer; comedian; author, The Secret History of Gold: Myth, Money, Politics and Power Rob Lyons science and technology director, Academy of Ideas; convenor, AoI Economy Forum; author, Panic on a Plate Sebastian Moore national organiser, Social Democratic Party Simon Nash environmentalist; speaker; activist and founder, Green Oil bicycle lubes; chair, Green Drinks London Lauren Razavi executive director, Plumia; author, Global Natives Dr Paul Reeves developer of manufacturing simulation technology Host Andy Shaw co-founder and organiser, Comedy Unleashed