The Thought Show

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US Millennials’ Political Engagement, Clashes in America and Serial Killers Oct 26, 2017

Show notes

Did the 2016 US election galvanise young people to become more engaged in politics? Millennial statistician Kevin Lin designed a research project to see if there was evidence to prove this on the website Reddit. Kevin explains his findings and the pitfalls of trying to measure anything on social media.

This year has seen a sharp rise in the number of confrontations in America between far right white supremacists and a group known as antifa – the anti fascists. White nationalists claim they want to protect the right to free speech but their opponents believe it’s an excuse to promote often racist ideologies. The fight that lived online is now being played out on the streets.

Serial killers and their terrible high profile crimes have spawned a massive global industry... feature films, documentaries, TV series, books, magazine profiles, hit podcasts and video games. So why do many of us find serial killers so intriguing? Is it their psychology or the gory details of their murders? Becky Milligan investigates.

(Photo: Students from Los Angeles California high schools gather to protest the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States. Credit: David McNew/Getty Images)

Economists, Selfies and Holding Your Breath Oct 19, 2017

Show notes

Richard Thaler is this year’s recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Sciences. Charlotte McDonald speaks to Tim Harford to get an insight into Thaler’s work and explore the psychological realism of behavioural economics.

The Russian military wants to stop its regular soldiers from posting selfies on social media and an online argument has started between two rival film-makers documenting the life and death of a black transsexual woman. The trending team find out why.

Lucy Ash looks into breath-holding. From those who choose to restrict it to others who do it subconsciously, how does breath-holding affect our bodies and our minds?

(Photo: Prof Richard Thaler standing in front of portraits of previous winners at the University of Chicago: Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Kilobyte to Brontobyte, Sexist Double Standards and Staying Put Oct 12, 2017

Show notes

The numbers we need to describe the world around us are getting bigger. Maths author Rob Eastaway explains the names for successive sizes of computer storage space and makes the case for a new giant unit of measurement: the Brontobyte.

Tales of sexist double standards have become a talking point on social media in Pakistan. We delve into this issue through the lens of three viral stories.

Why, when natural disaster is imminent, do some people ignore all warnings to leave and decide to stay put in their homes? Shivaani Kohok investigates.

(Photo: Journalist working on his computer, August 1980, at the Agence France-Presse. Credit: Getty Images)

Big Polluters: Ships v Cars and the 'Husband-Proof' shopping list. Oct 05, 2017

Show notes

Do the largest container ships emit as much pollution as all the cars in the world? We check out the claims and the different types of emissions produced by container ships and cars.

We hear from the Indian couple behind the viral 'husband-proof' shopping list; and the targeting of a Finnish journalist by pro Russian online trolls.

How easy is it to live in a small space? Is sharing space more important than having space to ourselves? Catherine Carr reports.

(image: the ultra-large container ship MOL Triumph from South Korea, coming in to port. Credit: M.MacMatzen/Getty Images)

Sperm Counts and Deleted Protest Posts Sep 28, 2017

Show notes

A recent study says that male sperm count has declined by 50 per cent since 1973, so how worried should we be?

We investigate claims that posts by Rohingya activists are being unfairly deleted by social media companies.

And, some people condemn surrogacy as a dangerous industry that exploits the vulnerable, while others see it as a welcome solution to the heartache of infertility. Mary-Ann Ochota reports.

(Image: Father with his daughter at breakfast time. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

How To Measure A Hurricane Sep 21, 2017

Show notes

What’s the best way to measure a hurricane? As hurricanes continue to threaten the Caribbean and American East coast, Tim Harford examines the different ways of calculating their respective strengths.

We investigate new German legislation which will force social networks to delete hate speech – or face massive fines. Some support it, and the government is determined to go ahead, but critics say it will restrict free speech.

Red roses, romantic dinners and Valentine's Day might have become the modern expression of romance – but where do its ancient roots lie? And do traditional ideas about romance conflict with today's experience of gender, love and sexuality. Afua Hirsch reports.

(Satellite image showing Hurricane Irma moving towards the Florida Coast on Sept 07 2017. Photo credit NOAA GOES Project via Getty Images)

More Horses than Tanks? Sep 14, 2017

Show notes

Is the UK the only country with more horses than tanks in its army? And what does the number of tanks say about a country’s capacity to fight?

On the face of it, Eduardo Martins had an inspiring story as a young, conscientious photographer working in conflict zones. His images were used on a number of reputable news sites, and his Instagram following reached into the tens of thousands. But a BBC Brasil investigation has revealed Martins to be a fake identity. Martins – whoever he really is – took another man's self-portraits and passed them off as his own, and stole the work of a real war photographer.

When we meet someone and ask them what do you do – what are we really hoping to find out about that person? David Baker explores how much emphasis we place on our jobs as part of our identity.

(image: Members of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Wellington Barracks in London. Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty images)

London's High-rise Death Toll Sep 07, 2017

Show notes

Establishing the death toll in the fire that engulfed Grenfell Tower, a residential block in West London, has proved to be unexpectedly difficult. Commander Stuart Cundy, who oversaw the Metropolitan police operation following the fire, tells Tim Harford why it is has been so challenging.

Hurricane Harvey brought devastating floods to large areas of Texas; and in its wake came a flurry of fake news, much of which went viral - including a picture of a shark on a highway and reports of mass looting. And there’s growing concern in the Gulf States where an illegal market for employing domestic servants is using social media to circumvent the law.

Also, why does new technology often feel so complicated? Kate Lamble asks if stupidity on the users’ part or poor design is to blame? Or is it part of our natural psychological response to artificial devices?

How To Win at Fantasy Football Aug 31, 2017

Show notes

As the world’s most popular football leagues start up again after the summer break, one listener asks how to figure out the best strategy to become a fantasy football champion. How should you spend that £100m budget?

We focus on the social media scene in war-torn Yemen. What does the recent detention of a prominent political analyst reveal about freedom of speech in the country? And, the question of which African country makes the best Jollof rice has been causing heated debate online.

Also, Shivaani Kohok explores why storing and displaying human remains in museums has become so contentious.

(photo: Manchester United player Paul Pogba in action. Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Trump Bump, Free Speech, Pull of News Aug 24, 2017

Show notes

How accurate are President Trump’s claims to have created a booming economy in America? We take a look at the numbers relating to employment, wages and the stock market.

Following the violent clashes in Charlottesville in the US, internet giants have quelled the voice of one notorious neo-Nazi website. We talk to one person who campaigned to have the website shut down, and another who wrote for it. And, a classified ads site accused of facilitating sex trafficking has prompted action for a change in US law. Critics say if the law goes through, it could result in an attack on free speech on the internet.

News has a powerful pull. We spend so much of our time checking it, absorbing it and talking about it. And some of us even claim to be addicted to it. But why, asks David Baker, do we need news in the first place?

(photo: US President Donald Trump speaks to auto workers in Michigan. Credit: Getty Images.)

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