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 大象传媒 Radio 4
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Music Played
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Philip Glass
Metamorphosis 2
Performer: Philip Glass
- Solo Piano.
- Sony.
- SMK87976.
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In Sound (performed by Kronos Quartet)
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Keeril Makan
Washed By Fire
Live Performers: Esther Noh, Pala Garc铆a (violins); Erin Wight (viola); Caitlin Sullivan (cello)
- Tzadik.
- B0017R1DC4.
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Enya
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Composer: Traditional
- How Can I Keep From Singing?.
- WEA.
- YZ 635 CD.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet in A Minor op 132 / 3rd mvt
Performer: Melos Quartet
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- DGG 4156762.
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Lady Gaga
Poker Face
Composer: Germanotta/Khayat
- The Fame.
- Sony / ATV Music Publishing (UK).
- 2703458.
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//www.emmanueljal.org/wefall/
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Emmanuel Jal, featuring McKenzie Eddy
We Fall
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Broadcasts
- Sun 11 Aug 2013 06:05大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 11 Aug 2013 23:30大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 5 Feb 2023 06:05大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 5 Feb 2023 23:30大象传媒 Radio 4