
The unintended consequences of UNESCO world heritage listing
Jan 11, 2017 18:07 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life
The principle of world heritage promoted by UNESCO is of crucial importance at a time when tourism has become a global phenomenon, involving more than a billion people and generating an annual revenue of nearly US$1245...
Why Tolkien's fantastic imaginary languages have had more impact than Esperanto
Jan 11, 2017 17:44 pm UTC| Life
A hundred years ago this month, JRR Tolkien began writing The Fall of Gondolin while on medical leave from the war. This is the first story in what would become his legendarium the mythology that underpins The Lord of the...

Its official: inequality, climate change and social polarisation are bad for you
Jan 11, 2017 17:35 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life
This years Global Risks Report from the World Economic Forum warns that rising income inequality and societal polarisation could create further problems if urgent action isnt taken - and thats after the car-crash that was...
Slave heritage is big business, tainting the diaspora's bonds with Africa
Jan 11, 2017 16:11 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life
Ghanas meandering coast is dotted with numerous forts and castles. These monuments were built between the 15th and 17th centuries by early modern European chartered companies. They were initially used for trading gold and...

Do art and literature cultivate empathy?
Jan 10, 2017 15:50 pm UTC| Life
A common argument for the value of the arts is the claim they cultivate empathy. Reading literature, viewing quality cinema and listening to fine music refine our sensibilities and make us better and more humane or so the...
The meritocracy is a smokescreen for inherited privilege
Jan 10, 2017 15:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life Politics
The politics of naming who is called what by whom can be used as a weapon, something we saw a great deal of in 2016 against a backdrop of the rise of populism generally. Sometimes it felt absurd: billionaires taking back...
No proof music lessons make children any smarter
Jan 10, 2017 14:42 pm UTC| Life
Music is one of the most beautiful and powerful creations of humankind, and its powers are well known making us happy and sad or relaxed and excited. And more generally, music can induce powerful feelings as Bono the...