A number of conspiracy theories have sprung up in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The false idea that the virus is somehow linked to the rollout of 5G technology has led to a number of attacks on broadband infrastructure and engineers. We explore this and many others in the sixth and final part of our Expert guide to conspiracy theories. Media expert Marc Tuters talks us through the main coronavirus conspiracy theories that are doing the rounds and how they differ o...
Apr 20, 2020•38 min
Conspiracy theories might be entertaining but they can also be dangerous. Sadly, what often starts off as a bit of fun can turn sour quite quickly – even if it’s laughing about the idea that Rihanna or Katy Perry are part of the Illuminati. We find out how. This episode delves into some of the psychology behind what makes conspiracy theories dangerous. It also explores the relationship between conspiracy theories and the radicalisation of extremists. And we find out the best ways to talk to peop...
Apr 13, 2020•43 min
Part four of the Expert guide to conspiracy theories from The Anthill podcast explores whether the internet has been a game changer in helping conspiracy theories go viral. First, though, we find out how conspiracy theories spread before platforms like Facebook and YouTube came along and gave everyone the power to broadcast their thoughts to the world. It’s important to differentiate between the producers of conspiracy theories and the consumers, which philosopher Quassim...
Apr 06, 2020•40 min
How are the origins of the French Revolution connected with Beyoncé, Jay Z and Rihanna? The answer lies with one of the world's most mysterious – and misunderstood – secret societies, the Illuminati. The strange evolution of the conspiracy theory surrounding this short-lived secret society, mirrors the modern history of conspiracy theories. We find out how in part three of our podcast series. The Illuminati was a real secret society of intellectual elites in the late 18th century. Michael ...
Mar 30, 2020•38 min
Polls show that most people believe in at least one conspiracy theory. Considering the number of conspiracy theories there are, perhaps this isn’t surprising. But research shows that people who believe in one conspiracy theory are more likely to believe in others. Part two of the Expert guide to conspiracy theories, a series from The Conversation’s Anthill podcast, discovers who these people are. We find out what psychological factors influence whether you believe in conspiracy theo...
Mar 23, 2020•39 min
There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there. Some are bizarre – like the idea that Elvis faked his own death. Or that Britain’s royal family are actually shape-shifting alien lizards. A growing number of people believe the world is flat . A lot of conspiracy theories relate to politics. That 9/11 was orchestrated by the US government so it could start wars in the Middle East. Or that powerful groups like the Illuminati are pulling the strings behind the scenes, plotting to establish a...
Mar 16, 2020•41 min
Conspiracy theories no longer feel like a fringe phenomenon, with people claiming that Elvis isn’t dead or the royal family are shape-shifting alien lizards, put down as crackpots. Now presidents push them and major events are regularly followed by a slew of sinister ideas involving dark forces at work behind the scenes. Coronavirus is just the latest . Some conspiracy theories may be harmless entertainment or a sign of healthy scepticism, but others are dangerous because they can fuel rac...
Mar 09, 2020•3 min
Medicine made for you is a series from The Anthill , a podcast from The Conversation . Across three episodes we're taking a deep dive into the future of healthcare – to find out how it could soon get a lot more personal. In this third and final episode of the series, we’re exploring how treatment offered by your doctor could become more tailored to you in the future. In the past, if you walked into a pharmacy and told them you weren't feeling well, the pharmacist would probably have made up a po...
Mar 03, 2020•36 min
In the second episode of Medicine made for you we’re looking at the food we eat and how dietary advice could soon get a lot more personalised. Listen to our producer Gemma Ware go through a two-week experiment with her identical twin sister, aimed at trying to better understand which factors influence the way people react to particular foods. The PREDICT study involved eating lots of special muffins, and doing lots of blood tests. But the results are surprising – and show that everybo...
Feb 25, 2020•46 min
Medicine made for you is a brand new series from The Anthill , a podcast from The Conversation . Across three episodes we're taking a deep dive into the future of healthcare – and find out how it could soon get a lot more personal. In this first episode , we look at genes, clinical trials and how possible it might be for the NHS to take on a more personalised approach when it comes to our health. And we find out why Scotland, a country of 5.4 million people, with one of the lowest life expectanc...
Feb 18, 2020•40 min
In Medicine made for you, a new series from The Anthill podcast , we’ll be taking a deep dive into the future of healthcare – and find out how it could soon get a lot more personal. We’ll hear from leading academics about the personalisation of healthcare , how it’s changing the way we think about our bodies, and the choices we might make about our health in the future. The Anthill is a podcast produced by The Conversation, hosted by Annabel Bligh. The Medicine made for you series is produced by...
Feb 11, 2020•3 min
Episode five of To the moon and beyond, a podcast series marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
Jul 31, 2019•34 min
Episode four of To the moon and beyond, a podcast series marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
Jul 24, 2019•37 min
Episode three of To the moon and beyond, a podcast series marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
Jul 17, 2019•33 min
Episode two of To the moon and beyond, a podcast series marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
Jul 10, 2019•35 min
The first episode of a new podcast series marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.
Jul 03, 2019•32 min
A new podcast series exploring the last 50 years of space exploration and the 50 years to come.
Jul 01, 2019•7 min
A panel of academic experts assess Narendra Modi's victory in the final episode of our India Tomorrow series.
May 24, 2019•43 min
Part six of The Anthill podcast's India Tomorrow series focuses on the concerns of young Indians.
May 14, 2019•33 min
Part five of India Tomorrow takes a look at India’s economy.
May 07, 2019•27 min
🎧 Part 4 of India Tomorrow digs into what life is like for women in India.
Apr 30, 2019•29 min
We focus on Kashmir in the third part of our India Tomorrow podcast series: its history, the lives of its people, and the conflict over its future.
Apr 23, 2019•43 min
The second part of this series from The Anthill podcast looks at the trajectories of Hindu nationalism in India.
Apr 16, 2019•38 min
India Tomorrow part 1 explores how fake news and the battle for information shapes Indian society.
Apr 09, 2019•31 min
As the world's largest democracy heads to the polls, we explore the big issues facing India in a seven-part podcast series.
Apr 02, 2019•3 min
An exciting announcement about upcoming plans – and we revisit an old favourite episode.
Mar 25, 2019•44 min
It's been 50 years since the first prototype for the mouse was demonstrated in San Francisco. This the story of how it changed Silicon Valley – and the world.
Dec 13, 2018•34 min
A podcast on World War I – from a meeting between the three great war poets, to what happened to conscientious objectors in both Britain and Germany.
Nov 07, 2018•48 min
A podcast on extremes: from far-right politics, to life in conflict zones and the extreme weather of Australia.
Oct 17, 2018•45 min
From wealth, to the natural world, to genes and intelligence, a podcast exploring the theme of inheritance.
Sep 12, 2018•53 min
