PODCAST · society
The Thin End
by Ray Noble
A journey of discovery of what makes us who we are and the choices we make through topical issues
Episodes
-
Learning from the Wood Mouse (repeat)
One of the problems for humans and the planet is that we have isolated ourselves from our ecosystem. Yet, our activity impacts the global climate and habitats. For example, unlike Apodemus sylvaticus, we destroy more of our forests than we plant. In addition, we deplete the world's freshwater…
more -
Ecological Intelligence - from ants to birds and plants
All life demonstrates ecological intelligence, an ability to solve problems as groups or as ecological systems. This is seen in the behaviour of birds migrating, ants foraging and plants growing and spreading their seed. Life is on the move, a continuous and directed motion.
-
Weekly Magazine Episode 2 Bad growth pollutes the planet
The Thin End considers how growth has become a political mantra and how bad trade pollutes the planet and fuels climate change, and the suggestion that there should be carbon taxes.
-
The Thin End Weekly Magazine Episode 1
A weekly round up of news and views on topical issues appearing in The Thin End Magazine. This week: Invasive Rabbits and Hares, pesticides and hummingbirds, Invasive mosquitos, abortion law reform in the UK, and controversl new blood pressure guidelines.
-
Brexit won't save the planet
Brexit isn't an ideal. It might break the cosy economic and political illusion that all growth and trade is good. But there is little thinking behind it. It won't lead to better trade. It won't save our planet.
-
Learning from the Wood Mouse
One of the problems for humans, and for the planet, is that we have isolated ourselves from our ecosystem. Yet, our activity impacts on the global climate and on habitats. Unlike Apodemus sylvaticus, we destroy more of our forests than we plant, and we deplete the worlds fresh water with our...
-
The NHS Saved My Life
Ray Noble tells how the NHS saved his life and considers the benefits of the British National Health Serivice. He argues why markets alone are insufficient to meet needs. The NHS is already being adversely affected by Brexit with worstenng staff shortages leading to delays and longer waiting…
more -
Why I can't be cloned
With news of monkeys being cloned in a Chinese laboratory, Ray Noble considers whether it is possible to clone a given human being.
-
We are not in our genes
We hear often the phrase 'in the genes'. But we are not in our genes. Our attributes are often considered to be partitioned between genetic and environement. But this is a false dichotomy. Ray Noble considers what makes us who we are.
-
Dialogue with Samuel Shem - House of God Revisited
Ray Noble talks to Samuel Shem, the acclaimed author of The House of God. The House of God, published in 1978, has in many ways become a cult book in the medical profession. It follows a group of medical interns at Beth Israel Hospital over the course of a year in the early 1970s, focusing on the...
-
Spinning The Wheels of Thinking Part Two
In this second part of a two part series, Denis and Ray Noble continue their discussion about the nature of thinking.
-
Spinning The Wheels of Thinking Part One
On location in the Perigord with noise of cockerels in the background, Denis Noble discusses with Ray Noble ideas about thinking. They start by considering the problems of dualist logic.
-
Imagine Brexit doesn't mean Brexit
With negotations underway Ray Noble considers the reality of Brexit. The phony war is over. The truth is understood. Brexit isn't good. It isn't good for the economy, for jobs, for health and social care, for research, for fighting climate change, and so the negotiations now turn on how to...
-
The Cry of the Wolf - Apes, culture and intentions
We are not alone in having a sense of fairness and justice. It is present in other cooperative mammals. In this episode of The Thin End Ray Noble considers intentions and purposive behaviour in wolves, apes and humans and its ethical consequences.
-
Lynn Margulis - The Vindicated Rebel
The Thin End discusses the work and influence of the evolutionaly biologist Lynn Margulis with Jim MacAillister, archivist for the Lynn Margulis Archive at University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Jim was a student and colleague of Lynn Margulis for the last decade of her life and converted her...
-
Dialogue with Perry Marshall
Perry Marshall discusses with the Thin End his jouney of discovery and the background to writing his book Evolution 2.0.
-
Science and the Neo-Darwinian Dogma
The Thin End has been to the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies to discuss with Geoffrey Bamford how the Neo-Darwinian 'modern synthesis' has become a dogma by creating a rigid belief system.
-
Evolution and The One-Eyed Watchmaker
In this second dialogue, Denis Noble, author of Dance to the Tune of LIfe, discusses whether there can be purpose and direction in evolution.
-
Dialogue with Denis Noble
Thin End discusses with Professor Denis Noble his new book Dance to the Tune of Life and new ideas on evolution.
-
Trump's folly?
Trump says he wants to cancel the 2015 Paris agreement combatting climate change. It is an agreement signed by almost 200 nations. Is this Trump’s folly? Or do we need a new global politics?
-
Shaking the ideas of Evolution
There is a revolution of thought taking place in our understanding of evolution. It is moving us away from a gene-centred 'determinist' view of our lives, and replacing it with an 'open system view' where many factors influence evolution, including culture and environment in a dynamic interaction...
-
Does science need philosophy?
Good science comes from understanding its limitations, bad science from ignoring them. Scientists do not work in a bubble free from cultural, social, ethical or political influences. So does science need philosophy?
-
No Man is an Island
Modern neoliberalism tends to emphasise the individual as an autonomous being. Society is seen as an aggregate of our individual, self-motivated, self interested behaviour. But this is a profoundly mistaken view of our social being.
-
What are genes to do with it?
Gene editing technology offers hope to sufferers of genetic disorders such as Huntington’s disease. But many are concerned with its possible misuse in producing ‘designer’ babies, or in enhancing body function. They are concerned also that it will change how we consider our identity. But should…
more -
The Gene Delusion
We have a freedom of will - a will constrained rather than determined by circumstance. Often, with ingenuity and knowledge, we can understand the nature of our circumstance and overcome constraints. We can solve problems and go where others have not.
-
Strutting our stuff
All the worlds a stage, but there is no set script. Our lives are not mapped by a screenplay as in a film. We do not follow a script. We don’t really know what will be said next. Our lives are not mapped in our genomes.
-
Double trouble but you can't clone me!
I recently watched Moon, the 2009 Science fiction film co-written and directed by Duncan Jones. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil the plot, but the film follows Sam Bell, a man who experiences a personal crisis as he nears the end of a three-year solitary stint mining helium-3 on the far side...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Thin End have?
The Thin End currently has 27 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Thin End about?
A journey of discovery of what makes us who we are and the choices we make through topical issues
How often does The Thin End release new episodes?
The Thin End has 27 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Thin End?
You can listen to The Thin End on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Thin End?
The Thin End is created and hosted by Ray Noble.
URL copied to clipboard!