How To Academy: Richard Dawkins

Presented by How To Academy, in partnership with University Club of Chicago and WBEZ. About the Event: The creator of the word ‘meme’ and of the hugely influential ‘selfish gene’ model of evolution, Richard Dawkins is the epitome of the truly public intellectual, a scientist whose ideas have proven extraordinarily influential both within his own discipline and beyond. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The Selfish Gene,” Dawkins appears for the first time at the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He’ll explore the world-famous ideas that established his name at the age of 35 – and changed the life sciences forever. Drawing on the latest research, he’ll share a new approach to the evolution of life, revealing how every living creature is an archive of the worlds of its ancestors. He’ll also reveal what the ‘gene’s eye view’ tells us about what it means to be human and pose questions to get you thinking about your own genes. This is an unmissable chance to witness a landmark evening: One of the world’s greatest living scientists, on one of the world’s greatest stages, marking 50 years of an idea that changed everything. Copies of “The Genetic Book of the Dead” and “The Selfish Gene (50th Anniversary Edition)” are available for purchase with your ticket and at the event. Limited tickets are available for the VIP experience add-on, which includes a premium reserved First Tier Box seat, access to a VIP lounge with complimentary beer and wine, a copy of “The Selfish Gene (50th Anniversary Edition)” and an exclusive post-show photo op and book signing with Richard Dawkins.\ About the Speaker: Richard Dawkins is one of the world’s most eminent writers and thinkers. He is the award-winning author of “The Selfish Gene,” “The Blind Watchmaker,” “The God Delusion” and a string of other bestselling science books. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Royal Society of Literature. Dawkins lives in Oxford..