New Scientist and The Wolven launch ‘Beyond the Delusion’

Visions of top scientists on the new state of the world in one place

Saturday, May 16, “Beyond the Delusion” goes live, an initiative of New Scientist and De Wolven. The scientific magazine and communications agency were missing a place where scientists from different disciplines could give their views on the global developments concerning the coronavirus, but on the long term. These innovators and dissenters look beyond the delusion of the day. They deserve a platform to share their valuable insights. To inspire other organizations, governments, policy makers, people. Beyond the Madness kicks off with an interview with Robbert Dijkgraaf: “Perhaps the most important change is the way we are connected and how we exchange information. When we dive into the virtual world, we are all each other’s neighbors. And yet we’ve never been more isolated.”

How do we get to our “new normal”? What are possible ways or insights that could lead to a new approach? And perhaps to smarter solutions? And if we pool all this knowledge on one platform, how crazy would it be if insights emerged that lead to new solutions? Scientists are asked for their vision, opinion and knowledge. Each time, they look at the situation from a new perspective. The next interview is with Professor Jaap Seidell about our diet. The new interviews are published weekly on the New Scientist website.

Jim Jansen, editor in chief of New Scientist: ‘For two months now we have been living with the delusion of the day. When will the terraces reopen and will children really be able to go back to school for days on end? Of course these are essential and important questions, but there is also a need to look further ahead. Scientists are used to going beyond the hectic pace. They do their research almost in slow motion. Step by step, without letting themselves be driven crazy by questions about whether a festival or vacation will go ahead or not. In this new column, we don’t want to hear from virologists, but from top researchers who can tell us what they think the situation will be like in the hospital, on the street and on public transport in the year 2021.

Leonne van de Ven, owner of De Wolven: “Since the outbreak of the coronavirus the world has been looking at each other and only a few weeks ahead. That can be done differently. After all, there is so much knowledge in the Netherlands and in the world. I missed visions, research and insights that go beyond the virus. That we, together with New Scientist, offer a platform for that is very valuable to me. And I hope for others too.”