The secret life of nature

NatureBang

Science meets storytelling in this brilliant BBC radio series exploring the mystery and astounding complexity of the natural world 
 
'Mindboggling in the best possible way' Independent.ie 
 
Presenters Becky Ripley and Emily Knight mull over a multitude of bewildering and brain-teasing questions as they try to make sense of what we humans are all about - with a little help from some other species. What can the swirling patterns in a starling murmuration tell us about the way our ideas spread? Can ants teach us anything about avoiding a pandemic? And how could a brainless, single-cell slime mould help to solve our trickiest problems? 
 
Journeying into the realms of philosophy, they break down the illusion of self via the humble sea sponge, examine individualism through the colonial Portuguese man o' war and find out who controls our thoughts and actions - us, or the creatures living inside us... They also take lessons in love and fidelity from the tiny vole, discover what dog poo can teach us about navigation, and investigate the diversity of the gender spectrum, aided by birds, bees, angler fish and dragon lizards. 
 
Packed with staggering facts about the animal kingdom - and ourselves - this amazing series will blow your mind and open your eyes to the astonishing wonders of nature. 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Becky Ripley

Sophie Ward

A BBC Radio Series

A fascinating exploration of the psychology behind the seven deadly sinsWhy have we evolved these ugly emotions? What’s going on in the brain and the body when we feel them? And how best can we live alongside them - in ourselves and with others?Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward take a humorous and compelling look at the psychology behind each of the seven deadly sins. Rolling with the order established by Pope Gregory the Great, first up is pride, followed by greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and (finally) lazy old sloth.With contributions from leading experts in the field, including geneticist, writer and presenter Dr Adam Rutherford, Dr Anna Machin from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and sexologist Dr Anand Patel, this is a fascinating, funny and revelatory series that explores what makes us who we are and busts some myths along the way.Pride - How can we have confidence without veering into arrogance? Pride can be motivating and self-affirming. But then there’s the ugly side: thinking you’re better than others. How can we have one without the other?Greed - Why do we want money, land, material things – and ultimately control, status, dominance, power? And can we be greedy for the good?Lust - Lust is crucial to the continuation of our species, but it's also a form of neurochemical madness that can lead us astray. How can we best live alongside our drives and desires?Envy - Is the grass always greener? Can we want what others have without being riddled with resentment?Gluttony - Why do we crave what we crave? The odd bit of indulgence isn't such a bad thing - but sometimes we overdo it. We short circuit our dopamine reward systems, and before we know it, we can't stop. Can we control our cravings? And when does a little bit of binging become too much?Wrath - Things can get pretty ugly when our blood starts to boil. Some of us are quick to flip, some of us brood, and some of us push down our anger. Anger is a motivator, a driver for change in the face of a perceived injustice. The question is, how are you going to act on it?Sloth - Is there a place for rest in today’s hyper-productive world? Our brains and bodies need rest in order to recharge. But too much sloth, and you can get stuck in a downward spiral of apathy or depression. How can we get the balance right?Join Becky Ripley and Sophie Ward on a fascinating journey through what it means to be human in today’s modern world.Written and presented by Becky Ripley and Sophie WardProduced by Becky RipleyFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21 November 2023 – 2 January 2024©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Becky Ripley

Books by Becky Ripley

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