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11/02/2012 GMT

What awaits us after dark? This week the Forum discusses the hazards and the creative possibilities of the night.

Do we manipulate the darkness, or does it manipulate us?

Oxford Professor of Circadian Neuroscience, Russell Foster, explains his research which shows how the blue-tinged sky of dusk is a trigger that tells our bodies it's time to prepare for bed.

And why it would be good for us to go back to rising with the dawn and going to bed at sundown.

Rut Blees Luxemburg finds surprising richness of night-time colours in her photographs, and historian Craig Koslofsky shows how early modern Europeans first colonised the night by introducing street lighting.

Illustration by Emily Kasriel: conquering our body clocks with light - bringing progress or tyranny?

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Sun 12 Feb 2012 14:05GMT

Chapters

  • Part 1

    Russell Foster

    Duration: 15:39

  • Rut Blees Luxemburg

    Rut Blees Luxemburg

    Duration: 07:21

  • Part 2 60 Second Idea

    Let school lessons start mid-morning.

    Duration: 05:40

  • Craig Koslofsky

    Craig Koslofsky

    Duration: 11:50

Broadcasts

  • Sat 11 Feb 2012 23:05GMT
  • Sun 12 Feb 2012 02:05GMT
  • Sun 12 Feb 2012 09:05GMT
  • Sun 12 Feb 2012 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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