Reith Lectures

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Reith Lectures

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1antimuzak
huhtikuu 14, 2007, 5:06 pm

A repeat of this weeks Reith Lecture tonight. Bursting at the Seams: Professor Sachs outlines his propositions to cope with the challenges of the 21st century. Each lecture is available online, as a printable transcript and within a short time as a downloadable and podcast mp3 file (for 7 days after the first transmission).

Jeffrey Sachs argues that we should be able to reduce the impact of consumption by rich people by using new and better technologies. I, personally, doubt if this is right but it will certainly make interesting listening.

However, it must be said that the quality of the Reith Lectures has declined of late. This started with the new format: instead of a concentrated lecture of 30-40 minutes we get just 20 minutes (if we are lucky) followed by innane questions from the audience. Last year;s lectures by Daniel Berenboim, although I was sympathetic to his message, were awful. Barenboim is no academic and his talks were insubstantial. What could one expect from someone who has devoted his life to instrumental performance. Alfred Brendel would have been a much better choice to continue the fine reith tradition.

Sadly, I expect little better this year. Predecessors, such as T S Eliot will be turning in their graves.........

2belleyang
Muokkaaja: huhtikuu 15, 2007, 10:16 pm

>1 antimuzak: Thank you so much. It would have taken me a long time to find the Reith Lectures. I see historic lectures are archived!

I listened and agree 20 minutes is far too short. I'll go to the oldest available archived lecture and see what Antimusak means about the higher quality of older lectures.

I am looking forward to his ensuing talks to find out what answers he can provide to a generally tired and cynical world.

3belleyang
Muokkaaja: huhtikuu 16, 2007, 5:49 pm

Another note from my friend, a professor of history. He says it better than I can!

What a past line up for the Reith Lectures. I actually had the opportunity, years ago, to meet and talk one on one with John Kenneth Galbraith. My publisher (Houghton Mifflin) sent me to a four day company retreat in Colonial Williamsburg and Galbraith was the featured speaker. I remember how tall he was (over 6 feet) and how gracious a man. My knowledge of economics fit into a thimble, but we managed to have an intelligent discussion about Williamsburg. I've never forgotten the moment and often think how lucky I've been in life.

I listened to the opening Sachs lecture and enjoyed it even though it is a bit apocalyptic at times. Nevertheless, his is a brilliant mind. Listening to him generates an awful lot to think about nowadays. I'll tell you Belle, listening to people like that makes me feel intellectually short changed!!

4WorkinSuffolkIdio_s
Muokkaaja: huhtikuu 16, 2007, 5:59 pm

"what answers he can provide to a generally tired and cynical world." Message 2

Yes - is he going to say lets throw out Capitalism?!

It would take me considerably less than 20 minutes to say that and even less time for Sue Lawley to dismiss a question and go to another one.

5belleyang
huhtikuu 16, 2007, 7:29 pm

Sach's life path go to link below:

http://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Sachs.html

6antimuzak
kesäkuu 2, 2008, 4:22 pm

This year's Reith Lectures begin tomorrow morning and is extremely pertinant given the predictions that China will become the primary world power later this century. Here is the BBC information:

Chinese Vistas: Confucian Ways
Tuesday 3 June 2008 9:00-9:45 (Radio 4 FM)

Repeated: Saturday 7 June 2008 22:15-23:00 (Radio 4 FM)

Jonathan Spence lectures about China.

Recorded at the British Library in London, Spence reflects on China's most enduring thinker, Confucius. Who was this man, what did he believe in, and what contemporary relevance does his message have, nearly 2,500 years after his death?

The Confucian message has survived countless attacks and is being recycled by the Chinese Communist leadership today.

7antimuzak
kesäkuu 5, 2008, 2:45 am