麻豆约拍

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

Adam Gopnik: Words and Music

Adam Gopnik's casts light on the mysterious relationship between words and music.

• 10 mins

Adam Gopnik: Family Reunions

Adam Gopnik's ten-year family reunion brings into focus the passage of time.

• 10 mins

Adam Gopnik: Power, Persecution and Pluralism

Adam Gopnik wonders why religious people are feeling 'persecuted' by same-sex marriage.

• 10 mins

Adam Gopnik: In Praise of Privacy

Adam Gopnik reflects on the need to protect private communications in the internet age.

• 10 mins

Peter Aspden: In Love with Greece

Peter Aspden reflects on the emotional power of the cultural influence of Greece.

• 10 mins

Adam Gopnik: Role Reversal

A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

• 10 mins

Adam Gopnik: Long-Form Television

Adam Gopnik reflects on the reason for our obsession with long-form television series.

• 10 mins

John Gray: Euro Despair

John Gray sees the euro as a misconceived project with Greece's economy as a casualty.

• 10 mins

John Gray: Recalling Eric Ambler

John Gray frecalls the work of Eric Ambler and finds unsettling contemporary echoes.

• 10 mins

Another Kind of Atheism

John Gray discusses why it's time to rethink today's narrow view of atheism.

• 10 mins

The Abolition of Man

John Gray warns about the dangers of science that promises to enhance human abilities.

• 10 mins

P J O'Rourke: Presidential Candidates

PJ O'Rourke sizes up the candidates aspiring to be President of the United States.

• 10 mins

Will Self: Losing Sleep

Will Self reflects on the various reasons for his inability to sleep soundly any more.

• 10 mins

Will Self: A Life of Habit

Will Self sees a love of habit as a shield against the unexpected in life.

• 10 mins

Will Self: What's in a Name

Will Self reflects on the significance of names, including his own.

• 10 mins

Will Self: Looks Matter

Will Self says people cannot pretend that looks do not matter.

• 10 mins

Will Self: On Gardening

Will Self reflects on our relationship with gardens and gardening.

• 10 mins

Roger Scruton: In Defence of Free Speech

Roger Scruton argues that the law on freedom of speech ought to protect heretical views.

• 10 mins

Roger Scruton: Offensive Jokes

Roger Scruton argues for the freedom to make jokes that others may find offensive.

• 10 mins

Roger Scruton: The Tyranny of Pop

Roger Scruton deplores the tyranny of banal and ubiquitous pop music.

• 10 mins