Four Thought

Four Thought

Four Thought talks include stories and ideas which will affect our future, in politics, society, the economy, business, science, technology or the arts. Recorded live, the talks are given by a range of people with a new thought to share.

  • Updated:
    Weekly
  • Episodes available:
    Indefinitely help

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Recent episodes (10)

  • Emma Byrne: Swearing is Good For You 15 May 13

    Wed, 15 May 13

    Duration:
    18 mins

    The science writer Emma Byrne argues that, far from tuning out, we should listen carefully when people swear, because they often do so for good reasons.

    Download 9MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Stewart Henderson: Poetry in Politics 8 May 13

    Wed, 8 May 13

    Duration:
    19 mins

    Stewart Henderson argues that a lack of poetry in politics is fuelling disengagement, and makes the case for putting poetry back in political rhetoric.

    Download 9MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Daniela Papi: Volunteering 1 May 13

    Wed, 1 May 13

    Duration:
    17 mins

    Daniela Papi explores the dark side of volunteering overseas, and asks how local people and wealthy 'voluntourists' alike can ensure a positive experience.

    Download 8MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Mat Paskins: Future Possibilities 24 Apr 13

    Wed, 24 Apr 13

    Duration:
    18 mins

    Historian Mat Paskins argues that history can be made real when we bring back to life the excitement which previous generations felt at new developments

    Download 8MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Emma Woolf: Eating Disorders 17 Apr 13

    Wed, 17 Apr 13

    Duration:
    20 mins

    Emma Woolf explores how people suffering from eating disorders might now have a proper explanation for the condition.

    Download 9MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy: Forget Impartiality 10 Apr 2013

    Wed, 10 Apr 13

    Duration:
    14 mins

    William Dalrymple introduces the Oscar-winning documentary-maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, in Four Thought at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

    Download 7MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Four Thought: Ranjini Obeysekere: Lost in Translation? 03 Apr 2013

    Wed, 3 Apr 13

    Duration:
    15 mins

    Ranjini Obeyesekere - the Sri Lankan translator and thinker - argues that a bad translation is better than no translation.

    Download 7MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Anwar Akhtar: The Meaning of Pakistan 9 Jan 13

    Wed, 9 Jan 13

    Duration:
    19 mins

    Anwar Akhtar, Director of The Samosa, argues that Pakistan should think of itself as an Asian nation, not as an Arab one. And after years of working between Britain and Pakistan, he says British Pakistanis are uniquely placed to help Pakistan embrace its multicultural history - and to create a prosperous and peaceful future with India.

    Download 9MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Sally Kettle: Does hope help? 2 Jan 13

    Wed, 2 Jan 13

    Duration:
    19 mins

    Adventurer Sally Kettle argues that hope is not helpful, and suggests some alternative strategies.

    Download 9MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

  • Tom Armitage: The Coded World 26 Dec 12

    Wed, 26 Dec 12

    Duration:
    19 mins

    Designer and technologist Tom Armitage argues that learning to write computer code means learning to think in a modern way, and that it should spur creativity: the possibility of doing entirely new things.

    Download 9MB (right click & "save target as / link as")

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