RSA Conversations

Stories, Myths and Belonging

Episode Summary

We review a turbulent week in UK politics, plus a new 'theory of everything'.

Episode Notes

It's been a turbulent week in UK politics. What could possibly happen next? Matthew Taylor and Ian Leslie talk Brexit predictions, and whether constant news updates are doing us any good.

That brings us on to a discussion about the stories we tell ourselves – fake news, and the importance of myths – before Matthew tests out his new 'theory of everything', and we ask whether all of our society's problems stem from a yearning for solidarity and belonging.

Links

• Ian Leslie on fake news – New Statesman
• The problem for democracies isn't "fake news" but pathological consumerism – Thomas Wells for ABC
• Matthew Taylor: Reprogramming the future – on hierarchy, solidarity, individualism, and fatalism
• Netflix: The Vietnam War
• Bodyguard (BBC)

Produced by James Shield.

Brought to you by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

www.thersa.org