This Book Event has already taken place

Robin Ince – The Importance of Being Interested

At: The Portobello Bookshop

On:29th November 2021, 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Robin Ince – The Importance of Being Interested at The Portobello Bookshop

We are incredibly excited to present an evening event with Robin Ince in celebration of his new book The Importance of Being Interested: Adventures in Scientific Curiosity. In this brilliant book, Robin takes the reader on a journey through science, explaining why it should be for everyone.

The event will be streamed live from the bookshop to attendees viewing from home. We are currently planning for this event to take place in the bookshop with a small in-person audience. However, depending on COVID regulations at the time of the event, those purchasing the book & in-person audience option will also receive the link to watch the event from home, should we be unable to welcome people to the bookshop on the night.

Comedian Robin Ince quickly abandoned science at school, bored by a fog of dull lessons and intimidated by the barrage of equations. But, twenty years later, he fell in love and he now presents one of the world's most popular science podcasts. Every year he meets hundreds of the world's greatest thinkers.

In this erudite and witty book, Robin reveals why scientific wonder isn't just for the professionals. Filled with interviews featuring astronauts, comedians, teachers, quantum physicists, neuroscientists and more - as well as charting Robin's own journey with science - The Importance of Being Interested explores why many wrongly think of the discipline as distant and difficult. From the glorious appeal of the stars above to why scientific curiosity can encourage much needed intellectual humility, this optimistic and profound book will leave you filled with a thirst for intellectual adventure.

Robin Ince is the co-creator and presenter of the BBC Radio 4 show The Infinite Monkey Cage, which has won multiple awards include the Sony Gold and Rose d'Or. In 2019 he played to over a quarter of a million people with Brian Cox on their world tour which has put them in the Guinness Book of Records for the most tickets sold for a science show. He is author of I'm a Joke and So Are You and also won Celebrity Mastermind but forgot that calcium was the dominant element of chalk. He is currently trying to invent an effective satnav for people who believe the world is flat.

When you purchase a signed – and if requested, dedicated – copy of The Importance of Being Interested via the options below, you will also receive access to the livestream of the event. There is also an option to purchase a £3 voucher which provides access to the livestream. The voucher can be used on any item in the bookshop and on our website – including other books by Robin Ince. Following Scottish Government advice and guidelines, in-person audience attendees will be asked to wear a face covering inside the venue unless they are exempt.

Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.

The venue

The Portobello Bookshop

46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA

Telephone: 0131 629 6756

Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com


Wheelchair Access

We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.

Sound

We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.