Four Thought

The eminent psychiatrist Colin Murray Parkes illuminates the importance of secure attachments for human happiness and sees insecurity at the root of conflict and extremism. Accepting advice from wise outsiders is crucial, he argues, whether healing the emotional wounds of bereavement or breaking the cycle of political violence.

Entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan challenges the negative view of whistle-blowers and argues that people who dare to speak uncomfortable truths are vital to success in business.

Investment expert Ruchir Sharma spends his time on the road looking for the next growth economy. Here he describes his global search for economic potential.

On May 17th 2007, Gaelic broadcaster Niall Iain MacDonald vanished from his Stornoway home. In this powerful talk he discusses the unique way he fought back against his depression.

Professor of Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin Ian Robertson argues that success and being a winner has an effect on us that is "as strong as any drug".

Novelist and poet Joe Dunthorne asks what can we learn about living together from the mosh pit at a rock gig? Joe asks whether we should we all be a bit more open to social interaction. He contrasts the boisterous pushing and shoving at a rock gig with the quiet carriage on the train. In one, he argues, everyone rubs along, and if you need something, you say it. The same cannot be said for the quiet carriage.

Does history repeat itself? Katarina Skoberne describes how in her family's case it did, and discusses the thought-provoking lessons it taught her. Katarina's great-grandfather was an admiral in the Russian imperial navy. His life was often interrupted by disaster, and he twice lost everything and was forced to start again. But Katarina recently discovered some of his writing, and more than 100 years later found interesting parallels to her own life and experiences.

Architect Ali Mangera discusses the closely-connected futures of cities and shopping. He describes how the retail industry is coming to terms with the major challenges it faces: from internet shopping to increasing demands for a local and sustainable experience. And, through the prism of his own experience working between Barcelona and London, he shares his vision for the future of shopping.

Publisher and technologist James Bridle asks how computer networks will affect cultural memories. In this Four Thought, James brings his two lives together to look for the crossing points between books and technology. How will storing our memories and experiences on "the network" change how we relate to them?

The Covent Garden Academy of Flower’s Gillian Wheeler argues that flower design is evolving into an art, with tremendous variation in design and even sculpture. Flowers can both look and smell beautiful, and she says this powerful combination has the power to overcome tremendous obstacles.

Naif Al-Mutawa created "The 99" comic books, featuring a team of superheroes based on Islamic culture and religion. He discusses the importance of interpreting and translating between cultures and argues that art and religion co-existed for centuries - and should be able to do so again.

With the pressure on for victory at the Olympics, comedian Leisa Rea ponders the delights of losing - and reveals what happened when she told a group of school children that she would only be rewarding them for appalling work which fell way below the expected standard.

Dr Alice Bell argues that better engagement by scientists, rather than lessons in "scientific literacy", is the solution to the lack of public understanding of science. She is frustrated how often this apparent panacea is rolled out as the solution to the problem.

Serial social entrepreneur Colin Crooks argues that politicians and the media are wrong to focus on youth unemployment. Instead, he says, we should all be worried about the very high levels of persistent unemployment amongst the "let-down generation" who were failed by poor education between the seventies and nineties. Teaching them the lessons of being in work, he argues, would not only benefit them, but their children, too.

Computer games offer many chances for self-reflective thought. This is a new medium for literature, film, painting and music, says game developer Mitu Khandaker.