Sideways podcast

#BBC #BBC Radio 4 #Philosophy #Society #A Miniseries

1:08

Join us each week as celebrity guests pitch an idea for a film based on one of the SUPER niche sub-genres on Netflix. From ‘Steamy Crime Movies from the 1970s’ to ‘Australian Dysfunctional Family Comedies Starring A Strong Female Lead’, our celebrity guests will pitch their wacky plot, their dream cast, the marketing stunts, and everything in between. By the end of every episode, Jimmy Carr, Comedian by night / “Netflix Executive” by day, will decide whether the pitch is greenlit or condemned to development hell! New episodes on Wednesdays starting May 28th! Listen on all podcast platforms and watch on the Netflix is a Joke YouTube Channel . The Big Pitch is a co-production by Netflix and BBC Studios Audio.…

Sideways

Series home•Feed

Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives with stories of seeing the world differently.

101 episodes

Sideways

588 subscribers

updated about a year ago

Series home•Feed

Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives with stories of seeing the world differently.

101 episodes

#BBC #BBC Radio 4 #Philosophy #Society #A Miniseries

All episodes

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73. Reliving History 29:07

11 weeks ago29:07

29:07

In a theatre in Buenos Aires, six veterans from opposite sides of the Falklands War united to re-enact their experiences of the conflict in front of hundreds of people. The play was called Minefield, and it was an ambitious experiment by the Argentinian theatre director, Lola Arias. Former Royal Marine Dr David Jackson was one of the veterans who flew across the world to act out his memories of war alongside men he’d fought against over three decades earlier. There were hundreds of people watching, including mothers who had lost their sons in the conflict. The play took a risk - it was opening up a part of history that people still didn’t agree on. But in the process, it ended up forging connections between groups that had once been divided. Matthew Syed explores the power and potential of re-enactment, and asks what happens when we try to bring the past back to life. With veteran, counsellor, and academic Dr David Jackson; director and writer Lola Arias; researcher, educator and humanitarian aid worker Dr Nena Močnik; and Professor of Modern Culture and Media at Brown University, Rebecca Schneider. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Caroline Thornham Editors: Georgia Moodie and Hannah Marshall Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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72. Limitless Love 28:49

12 weeks ago28:49

28:49

After the break up of the Soviet Union in the 90s, the problem of street children in Ukraine began to grow. Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko started taking them off the streets in the now devastated city of Mariupol and adopting them. The 56 year-old is now father to over 40 kids, serves as a military chaplain on the frontline and continues to adopt throughout the war. Matthew Syed asks whether it’s possible to truly love so many children. He hears from a biologist about the scientific limits of love and an anthropologist about the unique ways in which humans can grow and flex their love, almost like a muscle. He also delves into his mother’s deeply personal experience of raising a non-biological child, relates expert analysis to her complex emotions and questions whether human beings really do have the capacity for limitless love. With Ukrainian pastor and military chaplain Gennadiy Mokhnenko, anthropologist and author Dr Anna Machin, biologist Dr Liat Yakir and Matthew’s mum, Dilys Syed. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Vishva Samani Editor: Georgia Moodie Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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71. Tempting Fate 29:27

13 weeks ago29:27

29:27

Tempting fate is often seen as a fine line between courage and foolishness. It’s rooted in the belief that pushing certain boundaries or showing too much confidence might invite some kind of cosmic retribution. Even those who don’t believe in fate hesitate to take chances, driven by an instinctual fear of what might go wrong. Matthew Syed explores why we’re both drawn to and wary of tempting fate, and why our minds often trick us into a bit of magical thinking. By unpacking the dynamics of hubris, overconfidence, and the possibility of universal retribution, we explore whether challenging fate is a self-defining act - or a dangerous game. With pilot Amelia Rose Earhart, professor of Behavioural Science Jane Risen and philosopher Simon Critchley. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten Series Editors: Georgia Moodie Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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70. Digital Ghosts 28:48

14 weeks ago28:48

28:48

Amy Kurzweil’s dad is a famous inventor, futurist and pioneer in the field of AI. In 2015, she discovers his aspiration to make an AI chatbot of her late grandfather, Fred. Fred was a musician who dramatically escaped the Holocaust, but he died before Amy was born. Matthew Syed delves into Amy’s fascinating journey with her father to build the ‘Fredbot’ and have an online conversation with the grandfather she never met. He also hears from Lynne Nieto, who worked with her late husband to make an interactive AI video of him before he passed away. Today, she struggles to engage with it. The idea of using AI to simulate conversations with the dead troubles Matthew and raises all sorts of ethical questions. With the help of experts, he discovers how similar concepts were once debated by ancient Chinese philosophers and explores how digital ghosts could affect the grieving process. With cartoonist and writer Amy Kurzweil; Alexis Elder, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota Duluth and author of the forthcoming book The Ethics of Digital Ghosts: Confucian, Mohist, and Zhuangist Perspectives on AI and Death; grief therapist and author of The Loss Prescription, Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell; and Lynne Nieto. Featuring references to the graphic novel Artificial: A Love Story by Amy Kurzweil, published in 2022 by Catapult Books. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Vishva Samani Series Editor: Georgia Moodie Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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69. Memento Mori 29:07

15 weeks ago29:07

29:07

The passing of time brings inevitable change - corrosion, disintegration and, eventually, disappearance. While the certainty of this process may seem like cause for despair, Matthew Syed explores the beauty that can be found in the process of decay. American composer William Basinski, watching his old reel-to-reel tapes disintegrate into a masterpiece of ambient music, discovered how even decay can lead to something unexpectedly profound. In Detroit’s abandoned neighbourhoods, the ruins tell a story of transformation, where the decline of once-thriving industry serves as both a stark reminder of impermanence and a catalyst for reflection and artistic expression. With composer William Basinski, cultural historian Professor Dora Apel, Detroit artist Scott Hocking, and religion professor Ankur Barua. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten Series Editors: Georgia Moodie and Max O'Brien Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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68. Bliss in Suffering 29:24

16 weeks ago29:24

29:24

When David Wright went to Iraq as an 18-year-old soldier - he had no idea the battlefield would become a place where he’d enter deep states of bliss. For decades, David remained silent about the intense joy he experienced alongside the horrors of war. Matthew Syed ponders the extraordinary possibility of experiencing joy while suffering and hears more about the remarkable potential of the brain to respond to trauma in unexpected ways. He discovers how others too, like actor Renu Arora, experienced something similar when she was hit by a bus - and considers how such stories might help us shift our perspective on pain. With ex-soldier David Wright, actor/singer/writer Renu Arora, neuroscientist Dr Andrew Newberg, Director of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia and Dr Steve Taylor, lecturer at Leeds Beckett University in transpersonal psychology and author of the book Extraordinary Awakenings. Featuring an excerpt sung by Renu Arora from the RSC Enterprise performance recording of Anything Could Happen from The Magician’s Elephant. Music by Marc Teitler and lyrics by Nancy Harris. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Vishva Samani Series Editors: Georgia Moodie and Max O'Brien Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme Music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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67. Reality Shifting 29:20

17 weeks ago29:20

29:20

In 2020, a curious trend went viral on social media, especially among teenagers and young adults. As much of the world stayed at home to curb the spread of COVID-19, Reality Shifters began claiming they could move from one reality to another, referencing multiverse theory. Beyond the actual possibility of switching between realities, this craze raised intriguing questions about the fabric of the reality we experience. Philosophers and scientists have long speculated about the existence of multiple realities. Today, Matthew Syed explores the blurry line between what we perceive as reality and what may lie beyond it, inviting us to question the very nature of existence. With Reality Shifter Kristin Dattoo, clinical psychologist Professor Eli Somer, neuroscientist Professor Anil Seth, and theoretical physicist Professor Ulf Danielsson. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten Series Editors: Georgia Moodie and Max O'Brien Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4…

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Sideways: Series eleven - coming soon… 2:15

19 weeks ago2:15

2:15

Sideways returns with seven new stories of seeing the world differently and the ideas that shape our lives. Stories about everything from the ethics of using AI to simulate conversations with the dead to viewing decay as a vehicle for rebirth. Listen to the eleventh series of Sideways first on BBC Sounds. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producers: Julien Manuguerra-Patten, Vishva Samani and Caroline Thornham Series Editors: Georgia Moodie and Max O'Brien Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson and Nicholas Alexander Theme music by: Ioana Selaru Produced by: Novel for BBC Radio 4…

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25 Years of the 21st Century: 5. The Age of Artificial Intelligence 28:06

19 weeks ago28:06

28:06

Geoffrey Hinton's work laid the foundation for today's artificial intelligence systems. His research on neural networks has paved the way for current AI systems like ChatGPT. In artificial intelligence, neural networks are systems that are similar to the human brain in the way they learn and process information. They enable artificial intelligence to learn from experience, as human beings would. But Geoffrey Hinton has warned that machines could one day outsmart humans. He has even warned that autonomous weapons could be active on the battlefields of the future. In this final episode of 25 Years of the 21st Century, Matthew Syed interviews Professor Hinton. Historian and author Margaret MacMillan and Baroness Joanna Shields also join Matthew in discussion. Baroness Shields has been working in the field of technology for forty years, holding senior roles at both Google and Facebook. She was the UK’s first Minister for Internet Safety and Security. She’s also a Conservative life peer in the House of Lords. Does she agree with Geoffrey Hinton's concerns for the future? For 25 Years of the 21st Century, is this the age of artificial intelligence? Production team Editor: Sara Wadeson Producers: Michaela Graichen, Marianna Brain, Emma Close Sound: Tom Brignell Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison Archive Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007…

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25 Years of the 21st Century: 4. The Age of Changing Families 28:36

19 weeks ago28:36

28:36

As we swipe to find love and consult chatbot therapists, Matthew Syed asks how technology has altered the way we approach dating, friendship and community. It’s not all technology, though. Key changes in social trends, medical innovations, demography and economic factors have also played a part in how people live. How have relationships changed in the past 25 years? Contributors Margaret MacMillan, Emeritus Professor of International History at the University of Oxford and author of several acclaimed books. Meghan Nolan, an Irish novelist and journalist based in New York. Sarah Harper, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and a fellow at University College. Production team Editor: Sara Wadeson Producers: Emma Close, Marianna Brain, Michaela Graichen Sound: Tom Brignell Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison Archive Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007…

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25 Years of the 21st Century: 3. The Age of Outsourcing 28:19

19 weeks ago28:19

28:19

Is this the age of outsourcing? This is not a show about call centres in India. Rather, it's a look at a much deeper shift in who we are, how we think, and where value is created. In some ways, it's the most dizzying and philosophical shift of all. In this episode, we attempt to understand outsourcing at the macro level - how corporations have outsourced so much that they’ve become hollow. And we look at the micro level - how we've outsourced our minds and memories to technology. Contributors Margaret MacMillan, Emeritus Professor of International History at the University of Oxford and author of several acclaimed books. James Williams is an author and technology advisor. He worked for Google for more than 10 years where he received the Founders Award for his work on search advertising. He's the author of Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy. John Key is author of The Corporation in the 21st Century. He's a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a columnist for the Financial Times. Production team Editor: Sara Wadeson Producers: Emma Close, Marianna Brain, Michaela Graichen Sound: Tom Brignell Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison Archive Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007…

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25 Years of the 21st Century: 2. The Age of Mistrust 28:18

20 weeks ago28:18

28:18

Have we lost faith in institutions, politicians - and even money? Some people say there is an onslaught of misinformation and a battle for truth. So who do we trust now? In this series, we’re remembering some of the big events of this century and asking how they’re shaping us. Matthew is joined by Margaret MacMillan a historian and author, Rachel Botsman the author of three books on trust and Helen Margetts, a Professor of Society and the Internet at the University of Oxford. Production team Editor: Sara Wadeson Producers: Marianna Brain, Emma Close, Michaela Graichen Sound: Tom Brignell Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison Archive Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007…

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25 Years of the 21st Century: 1. The Age of Digital Warfare 28:59

20 weeks ago28:59

28:59

In this series, we’re remembering some of the major events of this century and asking how they’re shaping us. This programme is all about war and conflict: from the events of September 11th 2001, to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. We're also looking at artificial intelligence on the battlefield. Where might that take us? Matthew is joined by historian and writer Margaret MacMillan, former Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Nick Carter and author, Professor Anthony King. Production team Editor: Sara Wadeson Producers: Marianna Brain, Emma Close, Michaela Graichen, Arlene Gregorius Sound: Tom Brignell Production Co-ordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison Archive Steve Jobs launches the Apple iPhone, 2007…

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Appetite for Distraction: 5. The Future of Attention 15:26

25 weeks ago15:26

15:26

Matthew Syed asks what it means to be distracted in a media world vying for our attention. In this final episode, he considers where our media consumption might be headed. Many are concerned about smartphone addiction and a disintegration of public discourse, but others see a brighter future and our current times as a turning point to a world where the capacities of technology are used to benefit of society. Matthew speaks to a former tech engineer who has become a philosopher and activist on attention, a historian who believes that our current era has many precedents, a psychologist who is wary of headlines about collapsed attention spans and a behavioural economist who can see a way that our society will adapt to the digital world. Contributors: James Williams, author of Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy Matthew Sweet, Historian and Broadcaster Professor Pete Etchells, Psychologist, Bath Spa University and author of Unlocked: The Science of Screen Time and How to Spend it Better Michael Muthukrishna, Associate Professor of Economic Psychology and author of A Theory of Everyone: The New Science of who we are, how we got here and where we are going. Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Sam Peach…

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Appetite for Distraction: 4. Attention Shortfall? 14:27

25 weeks ago14:27