A Point of View Podcast
A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
Episodes to download
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Sweet charity
Fri 21 Sep 2012
Sarah Dunant reflects on the growing importance of charity shops in times of austerity.
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In Search of Prizes
Fri 14 Sep 2012
Sarah Dunant explores the merit of literary prizes as the Man Booker shortlist is revealed
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Policing Sex
Fri 7 Sep 2012
Sarah Dunant looks at attitudes to sexual behaviour from a historical perspective.
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The alchemy of memory
Fri 31 Aug 2012
John Gray explores the role of memory in giving meaning to our lives.
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The trouble with 'freedom'
Fri 24 Aug 2012
John Gray looks at the relationship between freedom and democracy.
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Sherlock Holmes and the Romance of Reason
Fri 17 Aug 2012
John Gray reflects on the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes' powers of deduction.
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Price of a Postage Stamp
Fri 3 Aug 2012
Philosopher John Gray wonders what bulk buying of stamps tells us about economic gloom.
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The Paradox of Immortality
Fri 27 Jul 2012
John Gray reflects on the paradox of immortality as captured by the writer Theodore Powys.
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Keynes' Insights
Fri 20 Jul 2012
John Gray takes a fresh look at the thinking of John Maynard Keynes.
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Why humans are violent
Fri 13 Jul 2012
John Gray reflects on the nature of violence as an inevitable part of the human condition.
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The curse of a ridiculous name
Fri 6 Jul 2012
Adam Gopnik muses on life when - like him - you've been lumbered with a funny name.
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Nazis - Gopnik's Amendment
Fri 29 Jun 2012
Adam Gopnik reflects on our continuing obsession with the Nazis.
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Adam Gopnik: Embarrassing Parents: The Thirteen-Year-Old Truth
Fri 8 Jun 2012
Adam Gopnik reflects on embarrassing, ridiculous and annoying parents - like himself!
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On Bees and Being
Fri 1 Jun 2012
Adam Gopnik muses on why Shakespeare didn't seem to know that the top bee is a girl bee.
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Will Self: A right loyal toast
Fri 25 May 2012
A week before the jubilee, Will Self reflects on the tradition of the Loyal Toast.
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Europe and my quadriga-spotting tour
Fri 18 May 2012
Will Self ponders the future of Europe, as he stands by Berlin's Brandenburg gate.
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Military matters
Fri 11 May 2012
Will Self asks what can drive political leaders into the arms of the military.
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Lords, lordlings and....crumpets
Fri 4 May 2012
Will Self explores Lords reform and the narrowing of the range of British political choice
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The rights of humans... and animals
Fri 27 Apr 2012
Will Self asks whether 'human rights' really exist, when they can so easily be taken away.
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Challenging Intellect
Fri 20 Apr 2012
Will Self says we should embrace the intellectual challenge of difficult books and art.
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Jubilee Celebrations
Fri 13 Apr 2012
David Cannadine reflects on the history of royal jubilee celebrations.
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Cathedral Heritage
Fri 6 Apr 2012
David Cannadine reflects at Easter time on the architectural glories of cathedrals.
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Fat Policemen
Fri 30 Mar 2012
David Cannadine reflects on the changing images of the typical policeman's size and shape.
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The Fashion for Westerns
Fri 23 Mar 2012
David Cannadine recalls the heyday of cinema and television Westerns.
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Power of the Press
Fri 16 Mar 2012
Historian David Cannadine reflects on the power of the press, past and present.
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Churchill's American Speeches
Fri 9 Mar 2012
Prof David Cannadine reflects on the enduring resonance of Churchill's speeches in America
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David Cannadine: Why Wear a Tie?
Fri 2 Mar 2012
David Cannadine compares the traditions of tie-wearing on both sides of the Atlantic.