Video of the Day
-
How the human era began
Today, only shadows remain of the people who experienced our distant past as their present. Discover how the revolutions of agriculture and early civilisations led to the beginning of modern...
-
How to panic a little less
The philosopher Spinoza shows us that our minds possess an ability to adopt a broader perspective, from which our anxieties appear vanishingly small — and eminently manageable.
-
The protests that changed history
In June 1964, Civil Rights activists entered a swimming pool in Florida. A month later, Lyndon B Johnson signed the historic Civil Rights Act. Learn about the “wade-ins” that changed the US...
-
A brief history of memes
We may think of the meme as something that began with the internet. But the concept has been around far longer than the world wide web. Discover the history of memes and how they spread.
-
Stopping climate change
We have known for decades that rapid climate change is being caused by the release of greenhouse gases. But instead of reducing them, the world is emitting more than ever. Why?
-
Performing scalpel-free surgery
Every year, tens of thousands of people undergo brain surgery without a single incision. Discover the science of radiosurgery, and how light beams can be used to target tumours.
-
US election: What could go wrong?
America’s 2020 presidential election will be a contest like no other. From the effects of mass postal voting to the threat of delayed results and disinformation — how ugly could it get?
-
The pursuit of happiness
It may appear in fairy tales, but in reality, there is no such thing as “happily ever after”. Not reaching a happy ending doesn’t mean failure, though; it simply means we’re human.
-
How humans evolve
Like all living things, humans have evolved through natural selection. We might think of evolution as taking place over millions of years – but it might be happening much faster than that.
-
Are you plant blind?
Do you know the difference between an oak and an ash? A marigold and a buttercup? Plant blindness is the inability to appreciate the plant life around us – and it’s surprisingly common.
-
The largest star in the universe
Across the universe, there are stars that completely dwarf our local sun. Find out about some of the biggest that exist, how they are formed and what happens when they die.
-
The absurdity of living
Does life have a purpose? Learn about the work and philosophy of Albert Camus and explore the question that fascinated him: if life is meaningless, do our lives still hold any value?
-
Make our garden grow
French philosopher Voltaire’s phrase — you must cultivate your own garden — is one of the most famous in history. But what does it mean? And how can it help us in our daily lives today?
-
The hedgehog and the fox
How good are we at predicting what will happen in the future? That might depend on how you see the world. Find out what hedgehogs and foxes have to do with prediction and risk.
-
What freedom means to me
Thirteen-year-old Tilly lost both her hands after contracting meningitis, but her new bionic hands have vastly increased her freedom, changed the way people see her and boosted her confidence.