Many of us have fond memories of going to the zoo as children, but zoo critics are vocal in their condemnation of keeping animals in captivity, believing there can be no such thing as a good zoo. Are the goals of entertainment, conservation, education and research more often in conflict than harmony? And are they ultimately irreconcilable with concern for animal welfare?

In this episode, George Miller talks to Heather Browning and Walter Veit, co-authors of 'What are Zoos For?' about the ethics of captivity, the challenges of balancing animal welfare with the need for public engagement, and the potential for zoos to drive meaningful conservation efforts. We also get to hear about Walter’s recent memorable encounter with Frank the feisty king penguin.

Heather Browning is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Southampton, working on philosophical questions in animal welfare, sentience, and ethics. She previously worked as a zookeeper and zoo animal welfare officer in Australia and New Zealand. Walter Veit is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Reading. His primary research interests lie in the intersection of the biological, social, and mind sciences and empirically informed philosophy and ethics.

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-are-zoos-for

The full transcript of the podcast is available here:

Timestamps:

1:30 - Are you the kind of people who seek out the zoo when you visit a new city?

2:33 - How did you come into this field?

4:01 - What was the particular appeal to ask and answer this question of the purpose of zoos?

8:02 - How do you deal with the historical dimension of zoos?

13:03 - Do you have examples of people having moving moments being in close proximity to wild animals?

18:07 - What makes it so difficult to judge whether conservation is as compelling an argument as zoos maintain?

23:54 - How easy is it to establish what constitutes good welfare?

28:03 - Can you pick out a zoo encounter that really sticks in your memory?

Intro music:

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Life expectancy is about more than just health – it’s about the kind of society we live in.

In this episode, Richard Kemp speaks with David Walsh and Gerry McCartney, co-authors of 'Social Murder?: Austerity and Life Expectancy in the UK', about the monumental impact austerity has had, and continues to have, on life expectancy.

They discuss the real-life stories of people affected by austerity policies, the reasons austerity is often sidelined in official health reports and the steps that need to be taken to reverse the horrific effects of these last 14 years.

David Walsh is Senior Lecturer in Health Inequalities at the University of Glasgow and previously Programme Manager at the Glasgow Centre for Population Health. Gerry McCartney is Professor of Wellbeing Economy at the University of Glasgow and Honorary Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland.

Find out more about the book at: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/social-murder

The full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2024/12/03/podcast-austerity-the-silent-killer/

Timestamps:

1:20 - What is social murder?

4:30 - Why were social service cuts made?

9:45 - Can you go into more detail on some of the cuts and how the affected poorer people?

16:20 - Was it thoughtlessness that led to these cuts?

18:37 - Can you talk us through some of the real life stories, such as Moira's story?

25:48 - What is the idea of a 'participation society' and how does that link to the rise in food banks?

31:40 - What have institutions and governments ignored the research on austerity?

38:34 - Should we be measuring our economies differently?

41:10 - What steps do we need to take to reverse the effects of austerity?

44:16 - Where can we find you online?

Intro music:

Cold by yoitrax | @yoitrax

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Modern economics often credits Adam Smith as its cornerstone, but another key figure, David Ricardo, has shaped our world in ways we rarely examine. Ricardo, the wealthiest stock trader of his day, developed the theory of comparative advantage, a concept that helped justify globalisation but concealed deeper ties to power, empire and slavery.

In this episode, Jess Miles speaks to Nat Dyer, author of Ricardo's Dream: How Economists Forgot the Real World and Led Us Astray. They unpack Ricardo’s legacy, from his famous theory involving English cloth and Portuguese wine to its surprising connections to the welfare state. They also explore why abstract economic models, despite their flaws and potential for manipulation, remain so dominant in shaping policies today.

Nat Dyer is a Fellow of the Schumacher Institute, the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRSLI).

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/ricardos-dream

The full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2024/11/19/podcast-how-economics-left-the-real-world-behind/

Timestamps:

01:12 - What's your background, and why did you write the book?

03:12 - Was David Ricardo, and what was his dream?

08:42 - What is the example of English cloth and Portuguese wine?

18:02 - How was his theory able to become so influential?

22:16 - What does having this idealised view of economics mean for individuals?

29:25 - What's the relationship between Ricardo's legacy and the welfare state?

33:29 - How have these abstract theories contributed to climate change?

37:22 - Why do we trust, and defend, these models?

40:11 - What ideas are coming through to challenge these models?

45:08 - How do you feel about David Ricardo?

47:30 - What are you working on now?

Intro music:

Cold by yoitrax | @yoitrax

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Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Follow the Transforming Society blog to be told when new articles and podcasts publish: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/follow-the-blog/

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