Why is the world the way it is? How did we get here? Join the award-winning scientist and filmmaker for a rollicking, awe-inspiring story of the surprising power of chance in our lives.

“Fascinating and exhilarating—Sean B. Carroll at his very best.”—Bill Bryson

Does everything happen for a reason or are some things left to chance? Philosophers and theologians have pondered these questions for millennia, but startling scientific discoveries over the past half century are revealing that we live in a world driven by chance.

In this talk tells, acclaimed biologist and science storyteller Sean Carroll tells the story of the awesome power of chance and how it is the surprising source of all the beauty and diversity in the living world.

Like every other species, we humans are here by accident. But it is shocking just how many things—any of which might never have occurred—had to happen in certain ways for any of us to exist. From an extremely improbable asteroid impact, to the wild gyrations of the Ice Age, to invisible accidents in our parents’ gonads, we are all here through an astonishing series of fortunate events. And chance continues to reign every day over the razor-thin line between our life and death.

Drawing inspiration from Monty Python, Kurt Vonnegut, and other great thinkers, this livestream event will offer an irresistibly entertaining and thought-provoking account of one of the most important but least appreciated facts of life.

The event takes place at 6:30pm BST and includes access to a replay video available 48 hours after the event to enjoy forever with no time limit.