Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the Octopus Energy Tech Summit during London Climate Action Week — and it left me genuinely inspired.
Now, I’ve attended more than my fair share of conferences over the years. Most are full of good intentions, a few spark interesting ideas, and some blur together by the end of the day. But this one stood out. It wasn’t just about energy or policy or climate; it was about the power of human creativity, the potential of technology, and the responsibility we share to shape the future.
It was also a powerful reminder of why I started Collider Cafe.
Creativity, Curiosity, and the Climate
From astronauts to AI ethicists, physicists to philosophers, the day brought together people who don’t just work in STEM — they use it to challenge the status quo, tell new stories, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Highglights for me were:
- Chris Hadfield reminded us that exploration and progress are driven not just by technology, but by the application of human creativity.
- Al Gore was energising and direct... the science is clear, and we do have the tools to change the world. It’s a question of will, and employing our amazing STEM skills to work on the challenges.
- Brian Cox and Hannah Fry wove science and storytelling with elegance, moving from neutron stars to diagnostic pigeons with ease, proof that science is stranger and more beautiful than fiction.
- And a deeply thoughtful discussion between Stephen Fry and Yuval Noah Harari on AI left many in the room reflecting on both the opportunity and the existential risk ahead.
These weren’t just speeches. They were calls to action.
Where Collider Cafe Comes In
Collider Cafe was always meant to be more than just a business. It's a platform for engaging with ideas, for signposting great content, and for helping people especially those who don’t see themselves as “science people” to feel curious, confident, and included in these conversations.
Events like this remind me how important it is to bridge the gap between expert insight and everyday engagement. Not everyone can spend a day at a summit like this but everyone should feel welcome to explore the ideas discussed there.
That’s why we’ll be sharing more than just products and events through Collider Cafe. We’ll be flagging:
- Books and documentaries that challenge your thinking
- Podcasts and YouTube talks that spark curiosity
- Music, art, and storytelling that build bridges between people and science
