How to be long-minded

You probably like the idea of being broad-minded, but are you also committed to taking the ‘long view’? A profound connection to the far future and distant past could help us face global ecological and environmental challenges with renewed agency and hope. Richard Fisher, author and Aeon editor, certainly believes it can: for this evening of music and discussion he will be joined by acclaimed Sámi yoik artist and scholar Ánde Somby. Together we will explore why it’s so difficult to think about deep time, and how both scientific and Indigenous perspectives might help us liberate our temporal imaginations.

What’s it like at the Sophia Club?

You’ll experience spirited conversation between the guest speaker and host alongside captivating artistic performances. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with drinks available for purchase and the freedom to mingle and converse before and after the show.

Richard Fisher

Speaker

Richard Fisher is a writer and lecturer specialising in science and technology and has recently joined Aeon Media as a senior editor. He is the author of the non-fiction book The Long View (2023), which explores the importance of long-term thinking and how we can widen our perception of time. He has written for The New York Times, The Observer, Vox and New Scientist and is an honorary professor of science communication at University College London. Before joining Aeon, he was a senior journalist and managing editor at the BBC, a Knight Science Journalism fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a features and news editor at New Scientist.

Richard can be found on X @rifish

Ánde Somby

Artist

Ánde Somby is a prominent figure in the Sámi cultural world, known for his multifaceted contributions as a yoiker, scholar, and activist. Born in Buolbmát, Norway, Ánde comes from a family deeply rooted in Sámi traditions. He is widely recognised for his mastery of yoik, the traditional vocal expression of the Sámi people, which he has helped bring to international attention. Ánde’s yoiking style is known for its raw, emotional depth, connecting contemporary audiences to ancient Sámi spirituality and worldview. Ánde also holds a PhD in law and serves as an associate professor at the University of Tromsø. His scholarship is deeply intertwined with his activism, where he raises awareness about Indigenous issues, often using artistic expression to convey the importance of Sámi heritage in a modern context.

Ánde can be found on X at @somban

Brigid Hains

Host

Brigid Hains is the editorial director of Aeon Media. An environmental historian by training, she is driven by a deep curiosity about the natural and human worlds. The Sophia Club is a chance for Brigid to express her love of beauty and the arts, and to share the heartfelt dimensions of her intellectual life.