A Point of View Podcast
A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
Episodes to download
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When fiction comes to the historian's rescue
Fri 5 Sep 2014
Lisa Jardine on how fiction can be more useful than fact in helping us understand the past
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Why Orwell Is the Supreme Mediocrity
Fri 29 Aug 2014
Will Self takes on one of the nation's best-loved figures, George Orwell.
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The Affliction of Consumption
Fri 15 Aug 2014
Will Self reflects on the power of modern-day consumption and the effect it has on us.
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The Changing Nature of Utopias
Fri 1 Aug 2014
Will Self reflects on what the changing nature of utopias says about us.
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Is patriotism the last refuge of the scoundrel?
Fri 25 Jul 2014
Will Self reflects on what really lies behind our sense of patriotism.
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Believing in reason is childish
Fri 18 Jul 2014
John Gray argues that the belief in human reason is more 'childish' than religious faith.
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Isis: A modern revolutionary force?
Fri 11 Jul 2014
John Gray argues that the Sunni extremist group Isis is revolutionary, not reactionary.
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To See Ourselves
Fri 4 Jul 2014
AL Kennedy explores the downsides of personal and national introspection.
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Battling the Botnets
Fri 27 Jun 2014
AL Kennedy asks if it is time for us to rethink our devotion to computers.
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If You Haven't Got Anything Nice to Say...
Fri 20 Jun 2014
AL Kennedy argues for a world with less gossip.
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No Burning Required
Fri 13 Jun 2014
As libraries close, AL Kennedy argues that we must reassess the importance of books.
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Bring Back the Heptarchy!
Fri 6 Jun 2014
Tom Shakespeare asks if England should consider returning to an earlier order.
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Should we be frightened of disability?
Fri 30 May 2014
Tom Shakespeare argues that we have nothing to fear from disability.
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Why we should be religious but not spiritual
Fri 23 May 2014
Tom Shakespeare argues that we should be religious but not spiritual.
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The Paradox of Growing Old
Fri 9 May 2014
Mary Beard argues that our view of dementia is a sanitized one which needs to be rethought
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Digging Digitally
Fri 2 May 2014
Mary Beard reflects on the new face of archaeology, of the virtual kind.
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Mile Milestone
Fri 25 Apr 2014
Mary Beard looks forward to the 60th anniversary of the first 'four-minute mile'.
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Travel Writing Giants
Fri 18 Apr 2014
William Dalrymple celebrates the writing of Peter Matthiessen, who died this month.
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A Tale of Two Elections
Fri 11 Apr 2014
William Dalrymple reflects on the current pivotal elections in India and Afghanistan.
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A Lenten Reflection
Fri 4 Apr 2014
For Lent, William Dalrymple compares Eastern and Western views of self-discipline.
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A Disease Called Fame
Fri 28 Mar 2014
Sarah Dunant reflects on fame and the cult of celebrity, following 20 Feet From Stardom.
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Heavy Weather
Fri 21 Mar 2014
Sarah Dunant compares our reaction today to climate change with historic responses.
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The Time Warp
Fri 14 Mar 2014
Sarah Dunant reflects on our changed perceptions of the sexual attitudes of the 1970s.
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Free the Schools
Fri 7 Mar 2014
Roger Scruton believes the way to improve schools is through middle-class volunteers.
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Our Love for Animals
Fri 28 Feb 2014
Professor Roger Scruton warns against favouring pets at the expense of wild animals.
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United We Fall
Fri 21 Feb 2014
Roger Scruton argues for a vote for the English in the debate over Scottish independence.
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Money Matters
Fri 14 Feb 2014
Adam Gopnik explains why he thinks the pictures on our banknotes matter.