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16/08/2009: Part 1

Biologist Bert H枚lldobler on the workings of ants; sociologist Richard Sennett on the economy driving changes in work practice; curator Rose Issa on the loopholes Iranian artists find.

THE FORUM, the ideas programme with BRIDGET KENDALL.

Pulitzer prize winning German biologist BERT H脰LLDOBLER explores the astonishing ability of ant colonies to work together as a single unit, a Superorganism. Ants co-operate and communicate collectively, dividing labour to benefit the whole group with no need for an overseer. What are the evolutionary lessons for humanity?

The role of collaboration in human society fascinates Anglo-American sociologist RICHARD SENNETT. From new research he detects that the current financial crisis will produce a change in work/life practices as ex-Wall Street workers hanker for more co-operation and less cut-throat competition. When it comes to business, will it continue to be down to the survival of the fittest?

Testing the borderline between co-operation and being co-opted, curator of Middle Eastern art ROSE ISSA explores the ways in which Iran鈥檚 young artists are evading censors. She reveals how they use loopholes in the system to defy authority and still manage to say the unsayable.

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25 minutes

Last on

Mon 17 Aug 2009 00:05GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Aug 2009 08:05GMT
  • Sun 16 Aug 2009 19:05GMT
  • Mon 17 Aug 2009 00:05GMT

Do you think political or business leaders need to be charismatic? Or do you prefer highly competent but somewhat stern people?

Do you think political or business leaders need to be charismatic? Or do you prefer highly competent but somewhat stern people?

We鈥檇 love to hear your views on charm and charisma for a future Forum.

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