Peter's Blog

Visitors to this website will know the dry, analytic style with which I approach the Great Problems of the Day. It’s OK for fellow geeks and it certainly keeps the Trolls at bay. But how do we get the ideas more generally discussed? There has to be a story, some element of drama, strong feelings, tension, perhaps blood on the carpet.

This is why we put a cow on trial. She represented the global livestock industry, accused of serious crimes against the biosphere. Some people think livestock are responsible for a quarter of global warming, more than all the transport, not to mention other environmental effects on biodiversity, water supply and so on. Others vigorously dispute this, even arguing that correctly managed livestock can solve the climate problem all on their own. So, much to argue about.

The Trial took place at the Shambala Festival in Northamptonshire, in August. We rigged up a Crown Court inside a large marquee. There was a judge, real lawyers, nationally-respected expert witnesses, a jury, and in the dock, Daisy the Cow. Moo! On this occasion Daisy was a pantomime cow: a real cow required too much paperwork.

The trial took about two hours, and finally the Jury retired to consider its verdict, which was arrived at by secret ballot. Much to everybody’s surprise, Daisy was found Guilty, although the Judge was not severe; he sentenced her to community service. Moo! A report of the Trial can be found here.

Naturally Daisy’s lawyers have mounted an appeal, and if this is successful Daisy will reappear for a retrial at the same Festival in 2018, and perhaps in other places too. Watch this space.

Britain is famous for its festivals, usually in places where huge crowds gather and enjoy themselves. But some festivals are smaller events happening in different places at the same time. “Pint of Science” is like this (https://pintofscience.co.uk) with scientists in pubs up and down the country talking about their research. This year it was all on-line, a different kind of experience. My daughter and I wanted to contribute to our local presentation in the city of Bath, and to try something new. We came up with a chat-show interview in which the Guest was a water molecule from Wales. Plenty of gags. It’s on YouTube: the link is https://youtu.be/GE1SmTrEbPs

This joins other attempts to combine science with theatre, see previous blogs on this site

The Trial of Daisy the Cow

Another Piece of Political Theatre