Four Thought Podcast
Series of thought-provoking talks in which the speakers air their thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect culture and society
Episodes to download
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Clare Lockhart: Rethinking Aid and the Developing World—Series 2
Wed 27 Jul 2011
Clare Lockhart calls for a new model of engagement for the developing world.
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Hilary Cottam: Redesigning Welfare—Series 2
Wed 20 Jul 2011
Entrepreneur Hilary Cottam unfolds her vision for redesigning the welfare state.
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Matthew Engel: An Invasion of Americanisms—Series 2
Wed 13 Jul 2011
Matthew Engel warns of a new threat to the English language from Americanisms.
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Penny Pepper: Disability and Identity—Series 2
Wed 6 Jul 2011
Writer Penny Pepper gives her perspective on human identity as a disabled person.
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Danny Kruger: The Purpose of Punishment—Series 2
Wed 29 Jun 2011
Danny Kruger calls for a re-evaluation of the purpose of punishment for crime.
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Ed Smith: Professionalism in Sport—Series 2
Wed 22 Jun 2011
Former England cricketer Ed Smith argues that too much professionalism is not a winner.
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Steve Jones: The Legacy of Eugenics—Series 2
Wed 15 Jun 2011
Biologist Steve Jones reflects on the legacy of the father of eugenics, Francis Galton.
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Felipe Fernandez-Armesto: The Myth of the Protestant Work Ethic—Series 2
Wed 8 Jun 2011
Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto explodes the myth of the Protestant work ethic.
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Anne Applebaum: Repressive Regimes—Series 2
Wed 1 Jun 2011
Anne Applebaum asks how governments can best compensate victims of repressive regimes.
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Philip Cowley: Politicians and Pogo Sticks—Series 2
Wed 25 May 2011
Philip Cowley says today's politicians compare favourably to those of the past.
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Jake Wallis Simons: Buddha vs Buddha—Series 2
Wed 18 May 2011
Writer Jake Wallis Simons explains why he decided to abandon Buddhism.
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Johann Hari: Dying for a New Phone—Series 2
Wed 11 May 2011
Johann Hari argues that our demand for gadgets has helped to drive the war in the Congo.
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Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise—Series 2
Wed 4 May 2011
Jonathan Sumption argues against apologising today for historical events.
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Christina Patterson: Care to be a Nurse?—Series 2
Wed 27 Apr 2011
Christina Patterson says we should stop making excuses for bad nursing.
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Tom Gill: Homeless in Japan—Series 1
Wed 9 Mar 2011
6/6 Tom Gill recalls some memorable incidents he witnessed as an anthropologist in Japan.
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Naomi Shragi: Fusion and Confusion—Series 1
Wed 2 Mar 2011
5/6 Naomi Shragai on how her beliefs were challenged only after she left moved neighbourhood.
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Ahdaf Soueif: The Egyptian Uprising—Series 1
Wed 23 Feb 2011
4/6 Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif discusses what the protests mean for Egyptian culture.
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David Goldblatt: Guerilla Urbanism Comes to Town—Series 1
Wed 16 Feb 2011
3/6 Photographer David Goldblatt argues that we need a new model for urban redevelopment.
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Peter Hennessy: On Joining the Constitution—Series 1
Wed 9 Feb 2011
2/6 Peter Hennessy discusses joining the constitution, after a lifetime writing about it.
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Susan Greenfield: Once Upon a Future—Series 1
Wed 2 Feb 2011
1/6 Scientist Susan Greenfield discusses her life's ambition & how stories develop our brains.
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