Showing results by narrator "Michael Sandels" in All Categories

These are dangerous times for democracy. We live in an age of winners and losers, where the odds are stacked in favour of the already fortunate. Stalled social mobility and entrenched inequality give the lie to the promise that 'you can make it if you try'. And the consequence is a brew of anger and frustration that has fuelled populist protest, with the triumph of Brexit and election of Donald Trump.

In recent decades, market values have crowded out nonmarket norms in almost every aspect of life. Without quite realizing it, Michael Sandel argues, we have drifted from having a market economy to being a market society. In What Money Can't Buy, Sandel examines one of the biggest ethical questions of our time and provokes a debate that's been missing in our market-driven age: What is the proper role of markets in a democratic society, and how can we protect the moral and civic goods that markets do not honour and money cannot buy?

Since 1948, the BBC's iconic annual lecture series has provided a platform for brilliant, entertaining individuals to discuss and develop their ideas on radio. The topics range from art and science to history, culture, politics and more, and each Reith Lecture - which is a little longer than a TED talk - is followed by a lively question-and-answer session showcasing the speaker's expertise, wisdom and wit. This collection brings together 10 of the very best Reith Lectures, chosen by the series producer, Jim Frank.

Considering the role of justice in our society and our lives, Michael Sandel reveals how an understanding of philosophy can help to make sense of politics, religion, morality - and our own convictions. Breaking down hotly contested issues - from abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage to patriotism, dissent, and affirmative action - Sandel shows how the biggest questions in our civic life can be broken down and illuminated through reasoned debate.

2036: The Year Trump Stepped Down is the hilarious and quirky futuristic story of America after enduring 20 years with Donald TXXXP and his family running the show. America in 2036 is a place where only two types of people exist: the have-nots and the rich. The have-nots must gut it out every day in the dangerous outdoors (suffering other-worldly and disastrous weather patterns along with the better-than-likely chance of getting shot for any reason at all). The rich reside in the 10 domed capital cities....

It was a typical afternoon in Northfield, Minnesota, when a middle-aged, autistic artist named Dutton James revealed to the world his new series of otherworldly, enigmatic sculptures, leaving art critics and the public stunned and intrigued. Then the questions started. What are these bizarre objects? From what planet or nightmare were they hatched? In the weeks that follow, as the mysterious artist’s fame skyrockets, Emma, Dutton's millennial stalker fan, attempts to enter the artist’s dangerous, opaque world in order to uncover the answers.