London's High-rise Death Toll

The Thought Show

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?