The Why Factor Episodes Episode guide
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Cookery
Why do we cook food rather than just eat it raw?
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Letters
The disappearing art of the hand-written letter and three stories of love
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Poetry
Why do we read, or write poetry, as opposed to prose?
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Memorialisation
How we remember the dead, and why does it matter?
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Memorialisation
How do we remember the dead and why does it matter?
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Chess
How has the 1500-year-old game mirrored politics and changes in society?
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Embarrassment
What is embarrassment, why do we feel it and is it a good thing? Mike Williams finds out
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Karma
Is Karma fatalism or guidance on how to improve your life?
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Brands
Why do we place so much trust in brands? And who benefits from them?
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What is Charisma?
Why is it so hard to pin down what we mean by charisma?
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The Rivals
History’s greatest rivals, and the creative and destructive sides of rivalry
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Risking Life For Strangers
Would you risk your life for a stranger?
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Protest
What brings people out into the streets to take direct action against the powerful?
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The 100th Programme: The Life of Why
Celebrating the 100th edition of The Why Factor
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Gardens
Why do people have gardens and do gardening?
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Gossip
Why do we like to gossip – and is it good for us?
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Ghosts
Why do so many people claim to see ghosts?
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Chastity
Associated with morality, modesty, politics and religion why is chastity so complicated?
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The Pilgrimage
Why do we go on pilgrimages?
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The Walk
Why do we go on long walks? Mike Williams finds out
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The Moon
Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?
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The Apology
Why do we say sorry – and what do we really mean by it?
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Coincidence
What is coincidence and why do we attach meaning to it?
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World War One: National Pride
Why are we so drawn to symbols of statehood, and how can leaders use that loyalty?
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World War One: Patriotism
The power of patriotism from WW1 to today and truths and myths of the modern nation state
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Accents
What do our accents say about us? Why do they matter?
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Why Eye Contact is Important
Why is making eye contact so important?
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The Fool
Mike Williams asks why the fool or jester has been an important figure in many cultures
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Diplomacy
How to get ahead in diplomacy, from negotiations to polite language and secret code words
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Competition
Why are we competitive? Is it a natural instinct?