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In Praise of the Nanny State

Alain de Botton reflects on why freedom has become our ultimate political ideal.

• 10 mins

On marriage

Alain de Botton muses on why a bookish life is a poor preparation for marriage!

• 10 mins

In Praise of the Zoo

Alain de Botton explores the relationship between humankind and animals.

• 10 mins

The Art of Conversation

Alain de Botton with some food for thought for a summer picnic.

• 10 mins

What's in a marriage

Alain de Botton on our extraordinarily high expectations for modern marriage.

• 10 mins

On Social Climbing

Alain de Botton argues that social climbing is often much more than idle pleasure-seeking.

• 10 mins

Modern Parenting

Alain de Botton takes a witty look at modern parenting.

• 10 mins

The Advantages of Pessimism

Alain de Botton on why pessimism is the key to happiness.

• 10 mins

Greece and the Meaning of Folly

The celebrated thinker John Gray gives his reflection on the meaning of folly.

• 10 mins

Kim Philby

John Gray on why Kim Philby, and so many others, have failed to predict the future.

• 10 mins

John Gray: The revolution of capitalism

John Gray on why an increasing number of people believe that Karl Marx was right.

• 10 mins

Cats, birds and humans

John Gray considers why the human animal needs contact with something other than itself.

• 10 mins

Believing in Belief

John Gray argues that the scientific and rationalist attack on religion is misguided.

• 10 mins

Churchill, chance and the black dog

John Gray reflects on the chance encounters that made Churchill wartime Prime Minister.

• 10 mins

Political party membership

Will Self attacks political party members as 'donkeys led by donkeys'.

• 10 mins

Why Prisons Fail

Will Self sees an urgent need to reform the prison system.

• 10 mins

In praise of wind turbines

Will Self praises the beauty of wind turbines.

• 10 mins

Class, race and social mobility

Will Self reflects that racism is rarely a sole cause of social injustice.

• 10 mins

The Arms Trade

Will Self deplores the arms trade, Britain's role in it and the euphemisms around it.

• 10 mins

Mary Beard: On Tyrants

Mary Beard on the uncanny similarities between Colonel Gaddafi and tyrants in ancient Rome

• 10 mins

On Age and Beauty

Mary Beard takes a peek at Miss World 2011 and ponders the upsides of middle age.

• 10 mins

Reflections on Monetary Union

Mary Beard reflects on the very first monetary union, two and a half thousand years ago.

• 10 mins

The Oxbridge Interview

Mary Beard reflects on the purpose of the much-maligned 'Oxbridge interview'.

• 10 mins

Lisa Jardine: Finding Family History

The historian Lisa Jardine finds herself converted to family history.

• 10 mins

Beware the Experts

Lisa Jardine recalls CP Snow's lessons on the dangers of government by experts.

• 10 mins

Climate Change Belief

Lisa Jardine thinks selective hearing skews the debate over climate change.

• 10 mins

Carols at Christmas

Lisa Jardine reflects on the power of music to move, especially at Christmas.

• 10 mins

The End, yet again?

The author and philosopher John Gray on the merits of living for the present.

• 15 mins

The Meaning of Debt

Sarah Dunant looks at different aspects of debt.

• 15 mins

Media Malpractice

Will Self reflects on the new landscape for the press.

• 15 mins