EPISODE · May 24, 2013 · 17 MIN
The Ball
from The Why Factor · host BBC World Service
A ball is a simple, everyday object that holds such a deep appeal for us. We have been playing with them since the dawn of time on every continent. Mike Williams finds out why. Some scientists argue that ball playing helped us become human, by developing the parts of the brain involved in speech, emotions and decision making. But why is ball playing fun? One explanation is that the unpredictability of never quite knowing where a ball will fall gives us the kinds of emotional highs and lows that would take unusually good fortune, or tragedy, to get otherwise. (Image: a young boy holding a ball. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
What this episode covers
A ball is a simple, everyday object that holds such a deep appeal for us. We have been playing with them since the dawn of time on every continent. Mike Williams finds out why. Some scientists argue that ball playing helped us become human, by developing the parts of the brain involved in speech, emotions and decision making. But why is ball playing fun? One explanation is that the unpredictability of never quite knowing where a ball will fall gives us the kinds of emotional highs and lows that would take unusually good fortune, or tragedy, to get otherwise. (Image: a young boy holding a ball. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
NOW PLAYING
The Ball
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m