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22/08/2010

The surprisingly long history of obesity. And do storytelling and science ever meet?

Obesity is often talked of as an ailment of modern affluence. But Bridget Kendall is joined by American cultural historian Sander Gilman who says it's nowhere near as simple as that….

One of the South Africa's most celebrated storytellers, Gcina Mhlophe, casts some of her fairy dust over us, and performs a very short story exclusively for the programme.

And philosopher and biologist Massimo Pigliucci maintains that it’s not so easy to trace the fuzzy line between scientific fact and conjecture. But he also asserts that there are some pressing, practical reasons why we should try to.

Obesity: will science or storytelling help? Illustration by Bridget Kendall.

Available now

55 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 Aug 2010 08:05GMT

Chapters

  • Sander Gilman

    A modern day problem with a long history: obesity.

    Duration: 18:36

  • SIXTY SECOND IDEA TO CHANGE THE WORLD

    Massimo Pigliucci says that we should learn to think more critically.

    Duration: 04:24

  • Gcina Mhlophe

    Storytelling in today’s South Africa.

    Duration: 12:27

  • Massimo Pigliucci

    Traces the fuzzy line between scientific fact and bunk.

    Duration: 10:33

Broadcast

  • Sun 22 Aug 2010 08:05GMT

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’d love to hear your views on charm and charisma for a future Forum.

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