Not sure how long this radio programme is being archived for, so snap it up now (wherever you are in the world):

"India has a new deity, the Goddess of English, worshipped by former Untouchables who see the language as their deliverer from poverty and ignorance. Zareer Masani investigates.

The English language and the educational legacies of the Raj ( Read more... )

Just in case it wasn't ever made clear enough, I love Radio 4. Current favourites:

• In Our Time: The Trojan War - 45 minutes on the Homeric epic, its basis in history, the charlatanry and craziness involved in the re-discovery of Troy, and why the story's so important even now
• Series 2 of Incredible Women - 5 15-minute vignettes based on the conceit ( Read more... )

Want to hear more about Neoplatonism? You know, the philosophy that heavily influenced ancient Roman thought, the 3 Abrahamic faiths, alchemy, the Renaissance, ceremonial magic and early Neopaganism? Come on - you know you want to!

Oh, you found the Wikipedia entry too dense and tough for someone without a grounding in philosophy? Yeah, I struggled ( Read more... )

For some reason, it has only just occurred to me that, while many of my friends would love BBC radio programmes such as Radio 4's dramas or In Our Time, they might not know they can download loads of things as podcasts from the BBC's pages or subscribe through iTunes, Zune, etc.

In Our Time's archive is now complete - every episode of every series ( Read more... )

The evidence for the benefits of mindfulness training and regular meditation continue to build. Not only does it help keep you healthier and happier, it helps you retain your autonomy and resist having your buttons pushed by those who want to market to you - or control you:

Exploiting neuroscience lessons to shape policy
By Matthew Taylor
Presenter, ( Read more... )

Thoroughly enjoyed this discussion of fairies, folklore, and the changing face of fairies from Radio 4:

Away with the Fairies

Listen now (30 minutes)

Availability: 6 days left to listen

Last broadcast yesterday, 13:30 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
Dominic Arkwright asks why fairies, once threatening and scary meddlers in human affairs, have become innocent, ( Read more... )

The Siege of Tenochtitlan
Listen now (45 minutes)

Last broadcast last Thursday, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).Synopsis


( Read more... )

Fascinating discussion of Shinto, dealing with how we classify ancient religions, relationships with deities, etc.
Shinto

Listen now (45 minutes)

Available to listen. Last broadcast today, 09:00 on BBC Radio 4.

Next on: Today, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4

Synopsis


( Read more... )

Lately, though I haven't felt well enough to make it to writing group, various insights and resources have fallen into my lap.

Today, it's the first episode of BBC Radio 4's Poetry Workshop, all archived and ready to go.

dr_pretentious, I'd love your reaction to the programme.

I'm looking at a 2nd round of antibiotics for a horrible sinus infection, and yesterday ( Read more... )

Harold Camping explains that Judgement Day WAS on 21st May, it's just that it was spiritual and not physical; all the physical stuff will happen on 21st October, instead:

Click to view

Bless him.

He's so calm and genial about it all, isn't he?

That's because he's had practice: he did the same thing in 1994.

Oh, and his followers who spent their life savings ( Read more... )