Idleness
When does idleness tip over from a necessary escape from the pressures of the world to failure of responsibility?
Is idleness ever a virtue? In a world that seems to privilege utility and productivity above all else, Matthew Sweet considers whether we can rethink the importance of doing nothing. His guests for Radio 4's late night ideas discussion programme are:
Tom Hodgkinson, editor of The Idler and author of books including Idle Thoughts: Letters on Good Living, How to Live Like a Stoic: A Handbook for Happiness
Polly Dickson, a literary scholar at the University of Durham, who鈥檚 researching the art of doodling
Katrien Devolder, Professor of Applied Ethics at the University of Oxford
Gavin Francis, doctor and author of many books including The Bridge Between Worlds and coming in Feb 2026 The Unfragile Mind, Making Sense of Mental Health
Steve Connor, cultural historian, Director of Research of the Digital Futures Institute, King鈥檚 College, London.
Producer: Luke Mulhall
On radio
Broadcast
- Friday 21:00麻豆社 Radio 4
Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019
Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival
Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life

