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12/11/2011 GMT

The unintended consequences of what we do, in economics, geo-engineering and on stage.

How far can we control the outcomes of our actions?

Economist Robert Frank says that competition is not always benign and that if we want to understand some of its negative results we should look to Charles Darwin for explanation.

Soprano Claron McFadden discusses how far she can control audience reaction when she is performing on stage.

And environmental scientist Peter Liss says we need a lot more data before we can decide whether pumping chemicals into the skies and oceans can really help solve global warming or just creates a new host of environmental problems.

Illustration by Emily Kasriel: the monied hand of the individual controlling the life of the planet, to the sound of music.

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Nov 2011 14:05GMT

Chapters

  • Part 1

    Robert Frank

    Duration: 13:28

  • Claron McFadden

    Claron McFadden

    Duration: 09:32

  • Part 2 60 Second Idea

    People of the world to start a meal at the same time to give us a moment of global peace.

    Duration: 04:48

  • Peter Liss

    Peter Liss

    Duration: 12:41

Broadcasts

  • Sat 12 Nov 2011 23:05GMT
  • Sun 13 Nov 2011 02:05GMT
  • Sun 13 Nov 2011 09:05GMT
  • Sun 13 Nov 2011 14:05GMT

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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