The week in audio: The Gatekeepers; Million Dollar Lover; Radical Empathy and the Devil; Barry Humphries: Gloriously Uncut – review

How social media companies have become the new information gatekeepers; a gripping real-life love affair – or is it?; a psychiatrist reflects on her work with violent offenders; and remembering the late, great Steve WrightThe Gatekeepers(Radio 4) |BBC SoundsIntrigue: Million Dollar Lover |BBC SoundsHeart and Soul: Radical Empathy and the Devil (BBC World Service) |BBC SoundsArchive on 4: Barry Humphries: Gloriously Uncut(Radio 4) |BBC SoundsThe Gatekeepers is yet another prestige Radio 4 series about the internet state we ’re in. Hmm. Having just reviewed Jon Ronson’sThings Fell Apart and Marianna Spring ’sWhy Do You Hate Me?, I was reluctant to listen to another. After a while, these shows start to depress me. They ’re always amazingly researched, carefully scripted, scrupulously fair and very interesting, but they’re also, at heart, about the same thing. A modern world where online differences are inflamed and encouraged. Why? Because such “engagement” means money. And those who get the money wriggle out of responsibility when the virtual hate has real life consequences.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Radio Podcasts Barry Humphries Rob Brydon Psychology X Source Type: news