A show about Quantum Physics? "It's a lot less scary than it sounds" says Jon Spooner of his new show Ethics Of Progress (From Haringey Independent)

A show about Quantum Physics? "It's a lot less scary than it sounds" says Jon Spooner of his new show Ethics Of Progress

2:42pm Wednesday 7th March 2012 in Theatre By George Nott

Jon Spooner has just put the phone down on a conversation with NASA. They called him for advice. I can't tell you what about, it's top secret.

Needless to say he's a very clever man, but enjoying his one-man show doesn't require a doctorate or Mensa membership - just an open mind.

Ethics Of Progress is a whistle-stop tour of cutting edge Quantum Physics covering the concepts of Superposition, Wave Particle Duality, Quantum Entanglement and Teleportation.

"It's a lot less scary and lot less complicated than it sounds," says Jon, who insists he is not a scientist. "It's not difficult, it's just unfamiliar."

It was while seeking expert knowledge for another show, that Jon met Professor Vlatko Vedral, a leader in the field of Quantum mechanics, and became hooked on its possibilities.

"Once I understood it I thought 'why didnt anyone tell me this when I was seven rather than 33?' Because at 33 I've got an understanding, a whole set of rules that aren't the only rules.

"If someone had told me about it at the same time I was told about gravity, which is also wierd, it would just be another piece of information I had. It's wierd at first, but really fun to think about."

Putting the concepts into straight-forward, jargon-free terms, Jon explores the potential ethical dilemmas that Quantum Physics presents in practice.

"Teleportation is already happening at a molecular level. We don't have the technology yet to scale it up," explains Jon, "but theoretically there's no reason why we can't.

"If all we are is atomic information then you should, with teleportation, arrive in exactly the same space as you were when you were scanned. That's all well and good but what happens to your thoughts and feelings and emotions? Can you recreate a soul just by putting lots of atoms in the right order?"

Despite the at-first complicated subject matter, Ethics Of Progress is suitable for ages eight and above.

"After I met with Professor Vedral," adds Jon, "the world was a slightly different colour. I hope audiences will feel the same way."

Ethics Of Progress is at Jacksons Lane, Archway Road from March 7 to 10 at 8pm. Professor Vedral will be joining Jon for a post-show discussion on March 8. Details: 020 8341 4421