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Learning to be Human

'Gorillas taught me to be human.' An autistic woman's remarkable story offers insights into how we can hold onto our humanity in an alienating world. With John McCarthy.

What if being human is an act of will? Like many people on the autism spectrum, Dawn Prince-Hughes says she felt like an alien in human society, unable to understand its rules. Until, that is, she found an unusual teacher - a gorilla. By copying him, she 'learnt to be human', and moved from being a stripper to an anthropology professor.

In this programme, John McCarthy explores alternative paths to humanity and what they reveal to us about ourselves.

With words from Albert Camus, Margaret Atwood, Mary Shelley and Edvard Munch, and music from Keeril Makan, Beethoven and Emmanuel Jal.

Producer: Jo Fidgeon
A Whistledown production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 5 Feb 2023 23:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Philip Glass

    Metamorphosis 2

    Performer: Philip Glass

    • Solo Piano.
    • Sony.
    • SMK87976.

  • In Sound (performed by Kronos Quartet)

    • Keeril Makan

      Washed By Fire

      Live Performers: Esther Noh, Pala GarcΓ­a (violins); Erin Wight (viola); Caitlin Sullivan (cello)

      • Tzadik.
      • B0017R1DC4.

  • Enya

    How Can I Keep From Singing?

    Composer: Traditional

    • How Can I Keep From Singing?.
    • WEA.
    • YZ 635 CD.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in A Minor op 132 / 3rd mvt

    Performer: Melos Quartet

    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • DGG 4156762.

  • Lady Gaga

    Poker Face

    Composer: Germanotta/Khayat

    • The Fame.
    • Sony / ATV Music Publishing (UK).
    • 2703458.

  • //www.emmanueljal.org/wefall/

    • Emmanuel Jal, featuring McKenzie Eddy

      We Fall

Broadcasts

  • Sun 11 Aug 2013 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 11 Aug 2013 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 5 Feb 2023 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 5 Feb 2023 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4