A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
Radio 4,·839 episodes
Writer Helen Macdonald confesses to an obsession with the recent Star Wars movie.
05 Feb 2016,·10 mins
Tom Shakespeare reflects that personal experience is the most powerful form of expertise.
29 Jan 2016,·10 mins
Tom Shakespeare is concerned by what the rise of cosmetic surgery says about society.
22 Jan 2016,·10 mins
Tom Shakespeare argues that the country needs a new national anthem.
15 Jan 2016,·10 mins
Tom Shakespeare suggests ways to shrink and completely reform the House of Lords.
08 Jan 2016,·10 mins
Howard Jacobson does not feel complimented when someone describes him as 'wise'.
01 Jan 2016,·10 mins
Howard Jacobson would sooner see Radio 4's Thought for the Day more, not less, religious.
25 Dec 2015,·10 mins
Howard Jacobson recalls a mongrel mix of traditions in his family's Christmas festivities.
18 Dec 2015,·10 mins
Howard Jacobson reflects on his lifelong passion for buying second-hand books.
11 Dec 2015,·10 mins
Sarah Dunant reflects on the links between protest, terrorism, climate change and Paris.
04 Dec 2015,·10 mins
Sarah Dunant welcomes Canada's plans to fully legalise marijuana.
27 Nov 2015,·10 mins
Sarah Dunant sees a new crisis in the Catholic Church as a result of unchanged policy.
20 Nov 2015,·10 mins
Roger Scruton deplores the tyranny of banal and ubiquitous pop music.
06 Nov 2015,·10 mins
Roger Scruton argues for the freedom to make jokes that others may find offensive.
30 Oct 2015,·10 mins
Roger Scruton argues that the law on freedom of speech ought to protect heretical views.
23 Oct 2015,·10 mins
Will Self reflects on our relationship with gardens and gardening.
16 Oct 2015,·10 mins
Will Self says people cannot pretend that looks do not matter.
09 Oct 2015,·10 mins
Will Self reflects on the significance of names, including his own.
02 Oct 2015,·10 mins
Will Self sees a love of habit as a shield against the unexpected in life.
25 Sep 2015,·10 mins
Will Self reflects on the various reasons for his inability to sleep soundly any more.
18 Sep 2015,·10 mins
PJ O'Rourke sizes up the candidates aspiring to be President of the United States.
11 Sep 2015,·10 mins
John Gray warns about the dangers of science that promises to enhance human abilities.
04 Sep 2015,·10 mins
John Gray discusses why it's time to rethink today's narrow view of atheism.
28 Aug 2015,·10 mins
John Gray frecalls the work of Eric Ambler and finds unsettling contemporary echoes.
21 Aug 2015,·10 mins
John Gray sees the euro as a misconceived project with Greece's economy as a casualty.
14 Aug 2015,·10 mins
Adam Gopnik reflects on the reason for our obsession with long-form television series.
07 Aug 2015,·10 mins
31 Jul 2015,·10 mins
Peter Aspden reflects on the emotional power of the cultural influence of Greece.
24 Jul 2015,·10 mins
Adam Gopnik reflects on the need to protect private communications in the internet age.
17 Jul 2015,·10 mins
Adam Gopnik wonders why religious people are feeling 'persecuted' by same-sex marriage.
10 Jul 2015,·10 mins
