This September, a group of Upper School Academic Scholars had the opportunity to take part in the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival, a philosophy and music festival with over 300 talks, debates, workshops and events. Designed to spark conversation and curiosity, the festival offered our students a wonderful chance to explore some of the biggest questions shaping our world today.
Over the course of the weekend, students immersed themselves in thought-provoking debates and discussions, covering topics as wide-ranging as the origins of the universe, the future of artificial intelligence, the limits of human language, and the ethics of transhumanism.
“The HowTheLightGetsIn Festival was a wonderful opportunity to deepen our curiosity on topics ranging from the Big Bang to the future of AI, while also providing us with intriguing arguments on current affairs and economics. Initially, I thought I might be out of my depth, but I soon realised what a fantastic event it was and how much I enjoyed it.” – Tom H, Upper School Scholar
A highlight for many was discovering how to engage meaningfully with perspectives they might not have encountered before. Whether listening to opposing opinions on whether philosophy should be considered a science, or debating whether technological progress represents opportunity or risk, students practised the vital skill of disagreeing agreeably, listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and refining their own views in the process.
“We were truly encouraged to think about the fine line between whether technological advancement in the future brings opportunity or danger, and to question how greatly transhumanism might impact our lives; turning what was once science fiction into reality,” – Nefeli M, Upper School Scholar
Students also appreciated the chance to explore how seemingly separate issues, from politics and economics to science and ethics, are deeply interconnected, and how understanding one area can shed light on another, revealing the complexity of the world’s challenges and opportunities.
“I never realised what a diverse range of opinions and issues could stem from just one topic! From future political outlooks to the limiting reality of language in trials, HowTheLightsGetIn allowed me to understand perspectives I had never considered before and experience the interconnected nature of the world’s issues,” – Millie M, Upper School Scholar
The festival provided an inspiring reminder that curiosity is at the heart of scholarship. By engaging with leading thinkers and peers in open discussion, our scholars returned not with all the answers, but with even better questions, and a renewed sense of excitement about the intellectual challenges ahead.
“The HowTheLightGetsIn Festival was a hugely fulfilling and enjoyable experience that deepened my love for learning. I explored topics from physics and philosophy to politics and more, and found it a truly rewarding weekend that broadened my understanding and strengthened my academic curiosity.” – Tom M, Upper School Scholar