Four Thought

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  Weekly

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Recent episodes (10)

• Robin Gorna 22 Feb 2012

  Wed, 22 Feb 12

  Duration:
  19 mins

  Robin Gorna fears we are losing the global battle against AIDS, owing to a lack of political will and ongoing social stigma, at a time when we have the solutions to deal with it.

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• Rob Hokins 15 Feb 2012

  Wed, 15 Feb 12

  Duration:
  19 mins

  Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the Transition Culture movement, believes that "engaged optimism" is the best way to face the global challenges of the future, be it climate change, dwindling oil supplies or the economic downturn. He believes initiatives enabling people to produce their own goods and services locally - from solar powered bottled beer to micro currencies like the Brixton pound - are the best way to build community resilience. Four Thought is a series of talks in which speakers give a personal viewpoint recorded in front of an audience at the RSA, the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in London.

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• Gordon Bridger 08 Feb 2012

  Wed, 8 Feb 12

  Duration:
  20 mins

  We need a radical rethink of aid spending, argues Gordon Bridger. He draws on a lifetime's experience as an economist in developing countries to suggest that we should spend overseas aid differently to stop it doing more harm than good. He urges an end to direct transfers of money to governments as he fears inadequate audit can too easily allow misuse of funds. Four Thought is a series of talks which combine thought provoking ideas and engaging storytelling. Recorded live in front of an audience at the RSA (the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) in London, speakers air their thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect our culture and society.

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• Bali Rai 01 Feb 2012

  Wed, 1 Feb 12

  Duration:
  20 mins

  Author Bali Rai thinks we should stop talking about "race" as the best way to deal with "racism" and sees pride in our own racial identity as part of the problem.

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• Gerard Darby 25 Jan 12

  Wed, 25 Jan 12

  Duration:
  17 mins

  Gerard Darby argues that the education system is damaging creativity.

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• Clare Allen 18 Jan 12

  Wed, 18 Jan 12

  Duration:
  16 mins

  Clare Allan asks why lying gets such a bad press.

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• Judith Clegg 11 Jan 12

  Wed, 11 Jan 12

  Duration:
  16 mins

  Judith Clegg argues that start-up culture can make the world a dramatically better place.

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• Paul Flatters 04 Jan 12

  Wed, 4 Jan 12

  Duration:
  17 mins

  Paul Flatters argues that childhood today is better than ever before, and he explains why (wrongly) thinking the reverse is bad for us as individuals and as a society.

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• Tim Smit 28 Dec 11

  Wed, 28 Dec 11

  Duration:
  17 mins

  Britain, says Tim Smit, is very far from broken. In fact, he argues, we are a really good country, and if we learn to trust one another again, we could be wonderful.

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• James Lange 21 Dec 11

  Wed, 21 Dec 11

  Duration:
  19 mins

  James Lange describes how YouTube videos of drug use have improved the speed and quality of his research, and argues that they can be a vital tool for scientists.

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