The Truth is in the Stars: a panel on science and creativity

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Live panel discussion webcast: 8:30 PM ET

The webcast will appear on this page

Does our society have the capacity to live up to Star Trek's optimistic, inclusive vision for humanity's future?

That is the central question in The Truth is in the Stars, a feature documentary in which the original Captain Kirk, William Shatner, examines Star Trek's influence on popular culture, human innovation, discovery, and creativity. The film's narrative is driven by exclusive one-on-one interviews with famous innovators, celebrities, and politicians – including Perimeter Director Neil Turok and Perimeter Founder Mike Lazaridis– in an attempt to uncover just how influential the groundbreaking series is for the world's greatest minds.

On June 14, Perimeter Institute will host a special screening of this film for an in-house audience. A live panel discussion will follow the screening, featuring Perimeter's Turok and Avery Broderick, rocket scientist Natalie Panek (a member of the technical staff at MDA), and The Truth is in the Stars director Craig Thompson. This panel will be webcast live on this page. The panel will discuss the influence of Star Trek on science, the role of creativity in research, and the challenges communicating science in accessible ways.

If you're unable to join us in person for the film screening, you can check out The Truth is in the Stars on the Movie Network On Demand, HBO and starting on Netflix internationally starting July 1, 2017. Then be sure to join us for the free webcast of the panel discussion on this page June 14 at 8:30pm.

General information:

Attendance to the lecture is free, but advance tickets are required. Due to the overwhelming response to past lectures, tickets will be honoured until 6:45 pm only. If you have not arrived by 6:45 pm your reservation may be filled by guests in our waiting line, and you may be asked to join the end of the waiting line.

Waiting line experience:

There will be a waiting line for last minute cancelled (or ‘no show’) seats on the night of the lecture. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Come to Perimeter and pick-up a waiting line chit at the Waiting Line sign and then participate in pre-lecture activities – no need to wait in line. An announcement will be made in the Bistro at 6:45pm if theatre seats are available. Note: you must arrive in person to be part of the waiting line and be in the Bistro when the waiting line announcement is made.

No disappointments:

Everyone who comes to Perimeter will be able to participate in the lecture. The public lecture will be shown simultaneously on closed circuit television in the licensed comfort of the Black Hole Bistro for any members of the waiting line who are not able to get a theatre seat.

Live webcast online:

Enjoy the live webcast of Perimeter Institute Public Lectures from the comfort of your own home. Join us at 8:30 pm ET night of the lecture and be part of the online audience.

For most lectures the on-demand playback will be online within 24 hours after the live event. Check our YouTube page for the playbacks.