What happens when reality surprises us? Writer Michael Blastland explores the curious anomalies that our usual modes of thinking struggle to explain.

In a bid to understand the world, we develop theories – in science, medicine, psychology, economics – designed to discern patterns and order. But we encounter mysteries and surprises that these theories cannot explain; curious irregularities that mess up our attempts to comprehend the world. This is down to the ‘hidden half’ – the random, unknowable variables beyond the bounds of our usual reasoning.

This event was recorded live at Thursday 4th July 2019. Discover more about this event here: https://www.thersa.org/events/2019/07/how-the-world-conceals-its-secrets