Review

25th International
“New Scientific Outlook“ World Congress

Thursday, 20th October to Sunday, 23rd October 2022

Programme Review

The True Science of Life

“God has failed. Long live Science!” This is the tenor that has become louder and louder in recent years. Science has all the answers to our questions and problems, it says, we only have to believe it. But what is True Science? From what source does it originate? Does Science stand in the service of life on this Earth? If not, then who does it serve? And if answers are found, are they always valid from now on?

The Underestimated Giants—How Trees Regulate the Climate

Everyone is talking about climate change, and many consider it to be the most pressing problem of our time. The culprit has long since been identified: it is CO2, and the fact that there is far too much of it is once again the fault of mankind. But hardly anyone talks about the trees in this context. The Earth’s forests play a major role in the sensitive balance of climate, vegetation and water balance: clear the stage for the silent, green giants of the world!

Farmer or Drone—The Future of Agriculture

The world population is growing and growing. Will the Earth still be able to feed people at all in the future? Has the model of small-scale farming finally had its day? Is organic already on its way out? We take a critical look at the promises of recent decades, such as the “Green Revolution” and assess whether their successors, namely Smart Farming, the new genetic engineering or Vertical Farming, will lead agriculture into a an abundant future.

Well Rooted—A Journey to the Inner of the Soil

What we see with our eyes is often only a small section of reality. This also applies to our view of plants. We recognize the apple tree or the sunflower and enjoy its fruit or its colour. But most of the “plant body”—often about eighty percent—is hidden from our view. But it is there, deep in the soil, at the roots, where life pulsates and where a foundation is laid for further processes such as water balance or soil fertility.

Agricultural Forestry—Living the Symbiosis

A century-old practice is currently experiencing a renaissance. Our ancestors knew that everything is interconnected. If these interrelationships are used wisely—in agroforestry, for example, the woody plants, arable crops and livestock—not only do the individual elements benefit, but the entire system grows and thrives. This is a model from nature from which man can learn and which could play an important role in food supply security.

Digital isn’t green—From Ideology to Reality

What’s digital is good for the environment, so the common belief goes. Efficient, cost-effective and sustainable are the buzz words. The reality, however, looks different. Digitalisation not only requires a lot of electricity, it also creates new problems, for example in terms of security, disposal or resource consumption. This puts entire ecosystems, such as the oceans, at risk. We need to take off our rose-tinted glasses and take a hard look at a modern saviour.

The Energy Turnaround—Much Smoke and Mirrors

The much-praised energy turnaround is costing us dearly right now. And is it really true that the Earth will be better off thanks to wind energy and electric cars? Who really profits here? And have we already exhausted all the possibilities that the sun offers us? We show that it is also worth taking a closer look at “clean” energies, and that “ultimate” solutions unfortunately rarely deliver what they promise.

When the Light Goes Out—Recipes Against the Hunger and the Cold

Europe is gearing up for a harsh winter. If the blackout really does happen, it will be cold and uncomfortable—and it may take time before everything runs smoothly again. Are we prepared for this? Are our bodies, accustomed to civilization, fit enough to make do with less and stay healthy? Our grandparents still knew how to provide for times of need. Did you learn from them? If not, don’t panic, you can learn from this lecture.

What Robs us of our Sleep—Turning our Backs on Fear

A quarter to a third of the world’s population suffers from chronic sleep disorders. This is no trivial matter, because sleep problems weaken the immune system, increase the risk of accidents, lead to obesity, mood swings and many other illnesses. Worry and anxiety are among the most common causes of our restless tossing and turning in bed. But nature can provide gentle relief in many ways, so that we can finally find peace again.

My Body, a Machine?—On the Abolition of Spirit

Am I my body? Do I own my body? Our understanding of what a human being is, what our body is, has changed fundamentally in recent years. Today, there are hardly any limits to the modelling and modification of the body. This goes so far that in the future, thanks to artificial intelligence and similar technologies, we should be able to influence our bodies to such an extent that we will be immortal. Is this something worth striving for? And where is the soul in all this?

The Restoration of Natural Order

Man has overcome God, so it seems. Mankind has thrown off the limitations of space and time, is advancing into new universes, is reinventing itself and the world. We can breed meat so that no animal has to sacrifice its life for us anymore. We can soon “manufacture” our own offspring so that disease will be a thing of the past. So have we left the laws of nature behind? Are we free? Or is this just the beginning of the end?

 

Impressions