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
All episodes (58)
Kate Smurthwaite 23 May 12
Wed, 23 May 12
Duration:
20 minsComedian Kate Smurthwaite argues it's time to stop laughing at sexism and time to stop prejudice against women comedians, because comedy is a key part of UK culture, affecting our opinions and values.
Martin Cassini 16 May 12
Wed, 16 May 12
Duration:
16 minsCampaigner Martin Cassini argues that our system for managing traffic is overdue for radical reform and should be based on trust in human nature rather than an obsession with controlling it. He says a drastic cut in the number of traffic lights would begin the transformation, saving lives, time and money.
Matthew Syed 09 May 12
Wed, 9 May 12
Duration:
21 minsWriter and former England table tennis champion Matthew Syed says we should not overemphasise the importance of talent over effort. Four Thought is a series of talks recorded before an audience at the RSA in London.
Clare Melford 02 May 2012
Wed, 2 May 12
Duration:
19 minsClare Melford, CEO, International Business Leaders Forum, argues that Buddah should be in the boardroom. She explains what CEOs need to learn about the tenets of Buddhism to make their businesses thrive while being sustainable.
June Andrews 25 Apr 2012
Wed, 25 Apr 12
Duration:
20 minsProfessor June Andrews, Director, the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling, argues for a revolution in our approach to dealing with dementia. She outlines immediate low cost changes that would make a dramatic difference to delaying the onset of the illness and caring for people with dementia.
Jules Evans 18 Apr 2012
Wed, 18 Apr 12
Duration:
18 minsJules Evans explores what ancient Greek and Roman philosophy can tell modern society about wellbeing. He celebrates the link between modern psychotherapy and the wisdom of Socrates, the Stoics and other ancient philosophers but warns that the new politics of happiness is in danger of becoming illiberal. Jules is the author of author of "Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations".
Bobbie Cummines 11 Apr 2012
Wed, 11 Apr 12
Duration:
20 minsBobby Cummines, Chief Executive, UNLOCK, the National Association of Reformed Offenders, who served 13 years in high security prisons for robbery and manslaughter, argues if society wants to reduce crime, reformed criminals must be helped to get jobs and discrimination against them needs to stop.
Robin Gorna 22 Feb 2012
Wed, 22 Feb 12
Duration:
19 minsRobin 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.
Rob Hopkins 15 Feb 2012
Wed, 15 Feb 12
Duration:
19 minsRob 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.
Gordon Bridger 08 Feb 2012
Wed, 8 Feb 12
Duration:
20 minsWe 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.
Bali Rai 01 Feb 2012
Wed, 1 Feb 12
Duration:
20 minsAuthor 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.
Gerard Darby 25 Jan 12
Wed, 25 Jan 12
Duration:
17 minsGerard Darby argues that the education system is damaging creativity.
Clare Allen 18 Jan 12
Wed, 18 Jan 12
Duration:
16 minsClare Allan asks why lying gets such a bad press.
Judith Clegg 11 Jan 12
Wed, 11 Jan 12
Duration:
16 minsJudith Clegg argues that start-up culture can make the world a dramatically better place.
Paul Flatters 04 Jan 12
Wed, 4 Jan 12
Duration:
17 minsPaul 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.
Tim Smit 28 Dec 11
Wed, 28 Dec 11
Duration:
17 minsBritain, 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.
James Lange 21 Dec 11
Wed, 21 Dec 11
Duration:
19 minsJames 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.
Anthony McGowan 14 Dec 11
Wed, 14 Dec 11
Duration:
20 minsAuthor Anthony McGowan thinks that the world would be a better place if we cast ourselves as the villains rather than the heroes of our own life stories and he has a personal confession to make. 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.
David Perks 07 Dec 11
Wed, 7 Dec 11
Duration:
20 minsDavid Perks, state school physics teacher and founder of the Physics Factory in London, believes current science teaching is depriving children of the academic science education they deserve. 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 latest thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect our culture and society.
Angela Saini 30 Nov 11
Wed, 30 Nov 11
Duration:
20 minsScience writer Angela Saini confesses that as a late adopter of new technology, she struggles to reconcile a deep human desire to make, mend and recycle with the throwaway culture on which the development of new computers, gadgets and phones seems to depend.
David Bainbridge 23 Nov 11
Wed, 23 Nov 11
Duration:
19 minsDavid Bainbridge, clinical veterinary anatomist at Cambridge University and science writer, celebrates middle age as a distinctive human phenomenon, central to the success of our species.
James Daunt 16 Nov 11
Wed, 16 Nov 11
Duration:
19 minsJames Daunt issues a ringing defence of printed books, and argues that libraries and local bookshops - the 'purveyors of the written word' - are vital social and cultural spaces. Brought in to turn around the Waterstone's chain of bookshops, he argues that book chains should continue to play a vital role in introducing readers to books, but will only succeed if they re-connect with their communities.
Aza Raskin 9 Nov 11
Wed, 9 Nov 11
Duration:
18 minsAza Raskin proposes a design renaissance in healthcare, making it easier and more enjoyable. Whose fault is it that video recorders are hard to programme, he asks? And why do we complete so few courses of antibiotics, with all the terrible individual and social consequences? His answer in both cases is that the products are badly designed, and they don't take into account how human beings actually behave. He argues that by applying cognitive psychology, design, and feedback loops to some of our most intractable medical problems, we can dramatically improve our health.
Dreda Say Mitchell 02 Nov 11
Wed, 2 Nov 11
Duration:
14 minsDreda Say Mitchell argues that the importance of cultural institutions like family, faith and community has been ignored in the debate about social mobility. Born into an extended working class family, she found her own upbringing was influenced by each of these institutions, and she believes their importance in promoting social mobility has been underestimated.
Christie Watson 26 Oct 11
Wed, 26 Oct 11
Duration:
14 minsNovelist and former paediatric nurse Christie Watson asks whether there are some things worse than death. She describes the extraordinary medical breakthroughs which allow children to be kept alive today who previously would have died. But she asks whether community care and medical ethics have kept up with the increasing number of technology-dependent children, that is, children who cannot breathe without life support machines.
Ed Yong 19 Oct 11
Wed, 19 Oct 11
Duration:
14 minsScience journalist and blogger Ed Yong explores the physical and philosophical implications of being host to billions of microbes. He reports the latest science showing how the bacteria we come into contact with can profoundly affect our lives - from the ability to digest different foodstuffs to our susceptibility to asthma, diabetes and even stress and anxiety. And he asks whether he should be seen as a human, or a universe of bacteria in a "human shaped sack"? Four Thought is a series of talks which combine thought provoking ideas and engaging storytelling. Recorded in front of an audience at the RSA in London, speakers take to the stage to air their latest thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect our culture and society.
Kate Fox 12 Oct 2011
Wed, 12 Oct 11
Duration:
15 minsSocial anthropologist Kate Fox argues that we need to re-learn much of our thinking about the effects of alcohol & adapt preconceptions.
Cindy Gallop 5 Oct 2011
Wed, 5 Oct 11
Duration:
14 minsAdvertising guru Cindy Gallop argues that if as businesses and individuals we define what we stand for and stay true to it, we could embrace a world of zero privacy. Cindy describes her own embrace of zero privacy as rather more extreme than most, after a frank admission two years ago which has since gone viral online. She explains why she designed her internet startup to require its users to pause and reflect on what they stand for, and urges people from every walk of life to redesign their lives around what they want to do.
Matthew Goodwin 28 Sept 2011
Wed, 28 Sep 11
Duration:
14 minsMatthew Goodwin says supporters of the far right are generally neither irrational nor isolated, and that a far right party without extremist baggage could be electable in Britain. He has spent much of the last decade with members and supporters of the British far right, examining their hopes and aspirations, what they wish to achieve. As an expert in electoral behaviour and extremism at the University of Nottingham, he has also been carefully studying hundreds of polls to explore whether there is a wider resonance for their message. It is an intensely controversial area of study - particularly in the light of the recent atrocities in Norway.
Russell M. Davies 21 Sept 2011
Thu, 22 Sep 11
Duration:
14 minsAfter the internet and social media, what will be the next technological revolution? Writer, blogger and social entrepreneur Russell M. Davies argues that like the early days of blogging, we are about to witness another flowering of individual creativity. This time, he says, it will unleash "all sorts of interesting gadgety things", and determine our relationships with them. "It's about making your own stuff, which might be a bit silly and a bit trivial and pointless, but you get the satisfaction of making it yourself," he says. This revolution in individual gadgetry - and designing our relationship with them - will prove "exciting, radical, life-affirming stuff". Four Thought is a series of talks which combine thought provoking ideas and engaging storytelling. Recorded in front of an audience at the RSA in London, speakers take to the stage to air their latest thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect our culture and society.
Charles ffrench-Constant 14 Sept 2011
Wed, 14 Sep 11
Duration:
14 minsCharles ffrench Constant explains the promise of regenerative medicine for research into diseases like Multiple Sclerosis.
Jim Crumley 7 Sep 2011
Wed, 7 Sep 11
Duration:
14 minsJim Crumley calls for a "new dance with wolves." He urges us to coexist with wolves and says we might even learn something from them.
Ed Howker 31 Aug 2011
Mon, 5 Sep 11
Duration:
14 minsEd Howker asks whether following the recent riots in England today's younger generation deserve their bad reputation. He is a co-founder of the Intergenerational Foundation and co-author of Jilted Generation: How Britain has Bankrupted its Youth.
Andrew Robinson 24 Aug 2011
Fri, 2 Sep 11
Duration:
14 minsAndrew Robinson asks what can we learn from geniuses?
Owen Hatherley: 17 Aug 2011
Wed, 17 Aug 11
Duration:
15 minsOwen Hatherley deplores the architectural style of recent so-called urban regeneration.
Dominic Hobson: 10 Aug 2011
Wed, 10 Aug 11
Duration:
14 minsWriter and entrepreneur Dominic Hobson explains why he thinks organised competitive games are damaging for players and spectators alike.
Musa Okwonga: 03 Aug 2011
Wed, 3 Aug 11
Duration:
15 minsPoet and musician Musa Okongwa explores the downside of living a life on Twitter and Facebook.
Clare Lockhart: 27 Jul 2011
Wed, 27 Jul 11
Duration:
15 minsClare Lockhart, Director of the Institute for State Effectiveness, calls for a new model of aid for the developing world to reduce dependence and build economic growth.
Hilary Cottam: 20 Jul 2011
Wed, 20 Jul 11
Duration:
15 minsHilary Cottam unfolds her vision for redesigning the welfare state.
Matthew Engel: 13 Jul 2011
Wed, 13 Jul 11
Duration:
15 minsMatthew Engel warns of a new threat to the English language from Americanisms.
Penny Pepper: 06 Jul 2011
Wed, 6 Jul 11
Duration:
15 minsWriter and cabaret artist Penny Pepper gives her perspective on human identity from her personal experience as a disabled person and wheelchair user.
Danny Kruger: 29 Jun 2011
Wed, 29 Jun 11
Duration:
15 minsDanny Kruger, founder of Only Connect, calls for a re-evaluation of the purpose of punishment for crime, treating retribution and rehabilitation as two separate goals.
Ed Smith: 22 Jun 2011
Wed, 22 Jun 11
Duration:
14 minsFormer England cricketer Ed Smith argues that too much professionalism is not a winner.
Professor Steve Jones: 15 Jun 2011
Wed, 15 Jun 11
Duration:
14 minsProfessor Steve Jones reflects on the legacy of the father of eugenics, Francis Galton, and warns against the danger of overstatement by geneticists
Felipe Fernandez Armesto: 8 June 11
Wed, 8 Jun 11
Duration:
14 minsProfessor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto dismisses as nonsense the newly revived concept of the Protestant work ethic.
Anne Applebaum 1 Jun 2011
Wed, 1 Jun 11
Duration:
15 minsAnne Applebaum asks how governments can best compensate victims of former repressive regimes and deal with past injustices to promote future reconciliation. Four Thought features talks delivered to an audience at the RSA.
Philip Cowley 25 May 11
Wed, 25 May 11
Duration:
14 minsPhilip Cowley says today's politicians compare favourably to those of the past.
Jake Wallis Simons 18 May 11
Wed, 18 May 11
Duration:
14 minsJake Wallis Simons explains why he decided to abandon Buddhism.
Johann Hari 11 May 11
Wed, 11 May 11
Duration:
13 minsJohann Hari argues that our demand for gadgets has helped to drive the war in the Congo.
Jonathan Sumption 04 May 11
Wed, 4 May 11
Duration:
14 minsJonathan Sumption argues against apologising today for historical events.
Christina Patterson 27 Apr 11
Wed, 27 Apr 11
Duration:
14 minsChristina Patterson says we should stop making excuses for bad nursing.
Professor Tom Gill 09 March 11
Wed, 9 Mar 11
Duration:
14 minsTom Gill recalls some memorable incidents he witnessed as an anthropologist in Japan and explores their implications.
Naomi Shragai 02 Mar 11
Wed, 2 Mar 11
Duration:
14 minsThe Jewish psychotherapist Naomi Shragai explores the benefits of marriage across religious boundaries
Adhaf Soueif 23 Feb 11
Wed, 23 Feb 11
Duration:
14 minsDr Ahdaf Soueif, one of Egypt's leading intellectuals, reflects on the Egyptian uprising.
David Goldblatt 16 Feb 11
Wed, 16 Feb 11
Duration:
14 minsDavid Goldblatt says Bristol offers a new, and better, model of urban regeneration.
Lord Peter Hennessy 09 Feb 11
Fri, 11 Feb 11
Duration:
14 minsLord Peter Hennessy discusses joining the constitution, which he has spent a lifetime
Baroness Susan Greenfield 02 Feb 11
Thu, 3 Feb 11
Duration:
14 minsBaroness Susan Greenfield discusses her life's ambition, and how stories develop our brains.
Welcome
Mon, 31 Jan 11
Duration:
1 minWelcome to this new BBC podcast. If you subscribe to the podcast feed, you should receive the first episode of this series automatically within the next seven days. To find other podcasts from the BBC, visit www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts.
Terms of Use
The BBC Podcasts are for your personal non-commercial use only.
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Play episodes
- Kate Smurthwaite 23 May 12
- Martin Cassini 16 May 12
- Matthew Syed 09 May 12
- Clare Melford 02 May 2012
- June Andrews 25 Apr 2012
- Jules Evans 18 Apr 2012
- Bobbie Cummines 11 Apr 2012
- Robin Gorna 22 Feb 2012
- Rob Hopkins 15 Feb 2012
- Gordon Bridger 08 Feb 2012
- Bali Rai 01 Feb 2012
- Gerard Darby 25 Jan 12
- Clare Allen 18 Jan 12
- Judith Clegg 11 Jan 12
- Paul Flatters 04 Jan 12
- Tim Smit 28 Dec 11
- James Lange 21 Dec 11
- Anthony McGowan 14 Dec 11
- David Perks 07 Dec 11
- Angela Saini 30 Nov 11
- David Bainbridge 23 Nov 11
- James Daunt 16 Nov 11
- Aza Raskin 9 Nov 11
- Dreda Say Mitchell 02 Nov 11
- Christie Watson 26 Oct 11
- Ed Yong 19 Oct 11
- Kate Fox 12 Oct 2011
- Cindy Gallop 5 Oct 2011
- Matthew Goodwin 28 Sept 2011
- Russell M. Davies 21 Sept 2011
- Charles ffrench-Constant 14 Sept 2011
- Jim Crumley 7 Sep 2011
- Ed Howker 31 Aug 2011
- Andrew Robinson 24 Aug 2011
- Owen Hatherley: 17 Aug 2011
- Dominic Hobson: 10 Aug 2011
- Musa Okwonga: 03 Aug 2011
- Clare Lockhart: 27 Jul 2011
- Hilary Cottam: 20 Jul 2011
- Matthew Engel: 13 Jul 2011
- Penny Pepper: 06 Jul 2011
- Danny Kruger: 29 Jun 2011
- Ed Smith: 22 Jun 2011
- Professor Steve Jones: 15 Jun 2011
- Felipe Fernandez Armesto: 8 June 11
- Anne Applebaum 1 Jun 2011
- Philip Cowley 25 May 11
- Jake Wallis Simons 18 May 11
- Johann Hari 11 May 11
- Jonathan Sumption 04 May 11
- Christina Patterson 27 Apr 11
- Professor Tom Gill 09 March 11
- Naomi Shragai 02 Mar 11
- Adhaf Soueif 23 Feb 11
- David Goldblatt 16 Feb 11
- Lord Peter Hennessy 09 Feb 11
- Baroness Susan Greenfield 02 Feb 11
- Welcome
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