The Why Factor

The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions

World Service,408 episodes

Episodes

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Why Do we Want or Need Heroes?
Angie Hobbs asks why do we want or need heroes?
15 Jan 2016,17 mins
Hypocrisy: Why do People Often say One Thing and do Another?
Is hypocrisy part of the human condition?
08 Jan 2016,17 mins
Hunting
Why do we hunt? Why kill animals when we no longer need to do so to eat?
01 Jan 2016,17 mins
Group Thinking
Why do we succumb to 'Groupthink' and how do we overcome the urge to be part of a crowd
25 Dec 2015,12 mins
Why Do We Make Lists?
From shopping lists to to-do lists – why do we make lists and what do they say about us?
18 Dec 2015,17 mins
Why Do We Wear Skirts?
Author Jung Chang explains how the skirt was dangerous during the cultural revolution
11 Dec 2015,17 mins
Why Do We Wear Ties?
Why does the tie symbolise a desire to belong and conform as well as individuality?
04 Dec 2015,17 mins
Why do we wear Suits?
The suit, it’s survived for the three centuries. But what’s its appeal?
27 Nov 2015,17 mins
What Makes us Want to Wear T-Shirts?
Mike Williams asks why these simple garments are so appealing
20 Nov 2015,17 mins
Tutoring
Why is private tutoring becoming so commonplace? And what impact does it have?
13 Nov 2015,17 mins
Why Can’t Some People Eat Certain Foods?
Why are food allergies increasing in the rich world?
06 Nov 2015,17 mins
Why Do We Love the Bicycle?
How did the bicycle change the world?
30 Oct 2015,17 mins
Why Does Everyone Wear Trainers?
How did the trainer become an acceptable item of clothing?
23 Oct 2015,12 mins
Why Do we Support Sports Clubs?
Why do sports fans follow club teams, even when they may live thousands of miles away?
16 Oct 2015,17 mins
Why Does Commuting Make us the Way we Are?
Why does commuting make us the people we are and how?
09 Oct 2015,12 mins
Graffiti: Why do we do it?
Graffiti is both an ancient and modern activity, but why do we do it?
02 Oct 2015,17 mins
Why Do We Love Dolls?
Despite all the new entertainments on offer, dolls endure. Why?
25 Sep 2015,17 mins
Why Does the World Love Drinking Tea?
Why tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water.
18 Sep 2015,17 mins
Why do Humans Need so Much Space?
Why do we have such a complicated relationship with the space we live in?
11 Sep 2015,17 mins
Why do we have Human Rights?
Where do Human Rights come from and how are they used?
03 Sep 2015,17 mins
World War One: Sacrifice
An exploration of the meaning of sacrifice to mark the centenary of World War One
29 Aug 2015,49 mins
Why do people sacrifice their lives?
Why do people give their lives for a nation? For a cause?
28 Aug 2015,17 mins
Talking about Death
It’s something that will come to all of us. So why is it so hard to talk about death?
21 Aug 2015,17 mins
Why Do We Need Diaries?
They hold our secrets, and preserve our memories, but why do we need diaries?
14 Aug 2015,12 mins
Why do we travel?
Mike Williams asks why do we leave the comfort of our homes to go travel?
07 Aug 2015,17 mins
What is a Home?
Why is a home so important and how does it shape us?
31 Jul 2015,17 mins
Encryption
What is encryption and why do we do it?
24 Jul 2015,17 mins
Why do Top Sportsmen and Women Choke?
Why do we lose the ability to do routine tasks under pressure?
17 Jul 2015,17 mins
Nationality
How would you define yours and how much does it matter?
10 Jul 2015,17 mins
Why Do We Need Cash?
We have all used cash but what exactly is it and do we still need it?
03 Jul 2015,17 mins