Weekly reflections on topical issues from a range of contributors including historian Lisa Jardine, novelist Sarah Dunant and writer Alain de Botton.
Episodes available:
Indefinitely 
Fri, 17 May 13
Duration:
10 mins
John Gray finds useful material for pondering the question of evil in the thriller writer Patricia Highsmith’s character Tom Ripley.
Fri, 10 May 13
Duration:
10 mins
John Gray draws on the novels of Mervyn Peake to argue it's a mistake to imagine that modernity marks a fundamental change in human experience. "The modern world is founded on the belief that it's possible for human beings to shape a future that's better than anything in the past. If the Gormenghast novels have any continuing theme, it's that this modern belief is an illusion." Producer: Sheila Cook
Fri, 3 May 13
Duration:
10 mins
John Gray draws on a story by Walter de la Mare to argue that the prevailing creed of scientific materialism is a "simple minded philosophy" too limited for an unknowable world.
Fri, 26 Apr 13
Duration:
10 mins
John Gray wonders what the rise of the cyber currency Bitcoin tells us about our human need for freedom and protection, "The dream of finding some kind of talisman, a benevolent tyrant or a magical new technology, that can shelter us from power and crime and protect us from each other." Producer: Sheila Cook
Fri, 19 Apr 13
Duration:
10 mins
Adam Gopnik on the terrible day when children leave home.
Fri, 12 Apr 13
Duration:
10 mins
What is the difference between magic and science? What is the difference between Galileo and his contemporary, the famous Elizabethan astrologer and alchemist John Dee? According to Adam Gopnik it's the experimental method - the looking and seeing and testing that goes with true science. But when he wrote about this recently he found that fervent members of the John Dee fan club disagreed.
Fri, 5 Apr 13
Duration:
10 mins
Every nation has a core irrationality - a belief about itself which no amount of contrary evidence can shift - says Adam Gopnik.
Fri, 29 Mar 13
Duration:
10 mins
Adam Gopnik presents his formula for a happy marriage - lust, laughter and loyalty.
Fri, 22 Mar 13
Duration:
10 mins
As the world's top chess players battle it out in London, Adam Gopnik reflects on why we overrate masters and underrate mastery.
Fri, 15 Mar 13
Duration:
11 mins
Lisa Jardine reflects on comets and the lessons to be learnt from early astronomers.
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