麻豆约拍

Thinking the Unthinkable

John Gray argues that 'thinking the unthinkable' means exaggerating fashionable beliefs.

• 10 mins

Faking It

Roger Scruton muses on the difference between genuine art and that based on fake emotion.

• 10 mins

Kitsch

Why the fear of producing kitsch art has led to a new kind of pre-emptive kitsch.

• 10 mins

Art: The Real Thing

What constitutes real art, as opposed to kitsch or that based on fake emotions and cliche?

• 10 mins

Monarch's Message

David Cannadine reflects on the history of the Queen's Christmas message.

• 10 mins

The Pursuit of Happiness

AL Kennedy reflects on what it means to pursue happiness.

• 10 mins

Charlie Hebdo

Adam Gopnick reflects on the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

• 10 mins

Language and Listening

AL Kennedy reflects on the importance of learning languages and listening to one another.

• 10 mins

The Power of Art

AL Kennedy reflects on the power of art to sustain the human spirit.

• 10 mins

Losing Touch

Will Self laments diminishing personal contact as a result of the rise of technology.

• 10 mins

Having Children

Will Self reflects on the growing divide between people with and without children.

• 10 mins

The Purpose of Satire

Will Self finds himself driven to reconsider the nature and purpose of satire.

• 10 mins

The Power of Fiction

Will Self reflects on the power of our relationship with fictional characters.

• 10 mins

Post-Image

A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

• 10 mins

The Nature of Time

Will Self reflects on the unsettling nature of time.

• 10 mins

Cognitive Decline

Tom Shakespeare says wisdom in middle age is some compensation for cognitive decline.

• 10 mins

Trial by Select Committee

Tom Shakespeare thinks that reformed select committees have revitalised Parliament.

• 10 mins

The Price of Independence

Tom Shakespeare says that disabled people's right to independent living is under threat.

• 10 mins

Mankle Image Crisis

Howard Jacobson thinks skimpy suits show men are suffering from a self-image crisis.

• 10 mins

Life's a Selfie

Howard Jacobson explains why he dislikes the narcissism of the selfie.

• 10 mins

Ideology Versus Art

Howard Jacobson explains why he prefers art to ideology, especially at election time.

• 10 mins

Commemorative Style

David Cannadine compares the style of national commemorations in the US and in Britain.

• 10 mins

Leaders Old and Young

David Cannadine reflects on the merits of youth and age in political leaders.

• 10 mins

Election View

A American writer PJ O'Rourke gives his view of the UK election.

• 10 mins

Presidents as Monarchs

David Cannadine says Barack Obama is not the first American president to act like a king.

• 10 mins

Politics of Hope

AL Kennedy says the election results in Scotland reflect a surge in political engagement.

• 10 mins

In Praise of Courtesy

AL Kennedy explores the merits of courtesy, but she points out that it can be complicated.

• 10 mins

AL Kennedy: Creamola Foam remembered

AL Kennedy reflects on how age changes our view of the past and the future.

• 10 mins

AL Kennedy: The Worth of Education

AL Kennedy on the drive to make money out of education.

• 10 mins

Adam Gopnik: Indispensable Man

Adam Gopnik concludes there are no indispensable people in any family or organisation.

• 10 mins