A Point of View Podcast
A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
Episodes to download
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Kim Philby
Fri 26 Aug 2011
John Gray on why Kim Philby, and so many others, have failed to predict the future.
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Greece and the Meaning of Folly
Fri 19 Aug 2011
The celebrated thinker John Gray gives his reflection on the meaning of folly.
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The Advantages of Pessimism
Fri 12 Aug 2011
Alain de Botton on why pessimism is the key to happiness.
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On Social Climbing
Fri 29 Jul 2011
Alain de Botton argues that social climbing is often much more than idle pleasure-seeking.
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What's in a marriage
Fri 22 Jul 2011
Alain de Botton on our extraordinarily high expectations for modern marriage.
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The Art of Conversation
Sun 17 Jul 2011
Alain de Botton with some food for thought for a summer picnic.
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In Praise of the Zoo
Fri 8 Jul 2011
Alain de Botton explores the relationship between humankind and animals.
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On marriage
Fri 11 Feb 2011
Alain de Botton muses on why a bookish life is a poor preparation for marriage!
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In Praise of the Nanny State
Fri 4 Feb 2011
Alain de Botton reflects on why freedom has become our ultimate political ideal.
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The ecological sublime
Fri 21 Jan 2011
Alain de Botton gives a philosopher's take on our ecological dilemmas.
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What humanities should teach
Fri 7 Jan 2011
Alain de Botton with a controversial view of the teaching of humanities in universities.
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A Time for Empathy
Fri 17 Dec 2010
Joan Bakewell wonders how we recover true empathy in a culture of self-regard.
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Talking About Their Generation
Christmas Day 2009
Clive James reflects on the human condition and the need for liberal democracy to spread.
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Clive James: Option Swamp
Fri 18 Dec 2009
Clive James vents his frustration at automated customer systems.
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Hermie's Ghost
Fri 11 Dec 2009
Clive James reflects on the media coverage of man-made global warming.
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Impact
Fri 4 Dec 2009
Clive James warns of the dangers of a new plan for calculating funding for universities.
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Blog de Jour
Fri 20 Nov 2009
Clive James reflects on the revelation of the identity of Belle de Jour.
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The Man on the Fourth Plinth
Fri 13 Nov 2009
Clive James celebrates the honouring of Sir Keith Park with a statue in Trafalgar Square.
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High Road to Xanadu
Fri 6 Nov 2009
Clive James reflects on the seductive allure of illegal narcotics.
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Clive James: The Golf Ball Potato Crisp
Fri 23 Oct 2009
Clive James reflects on the importance of scepticism in every walk of life.
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Newsflash from the Far East
Fri 29 May 2009
Clive James reflects on democracy, MPs' expenses and the Oxford Poetry Professorship.
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Feminism and Democracy
Fri 22 May 2009
Clive James reflects on the global responsibility of feminists in the west.
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Expensive Mistakes
Fri 15 May 2009
Clive James reflects on democracy, MPs' expenses and the Oxford Poetry Professorship.
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Sheer Poetry
Fri 8 May 2009
Clive James wonders what the Poet Laureateship says about the British attitude to poetry.
