Comedian Robin Ince shares his wonder at gene research and love of festivals in Reasons To Be Cheerful.

At least twelve times a year comedian Robin Ince finds himself at a festival somewhere in the UK and he loves it.
The modern explosion in the festival scene "from Glastonbury to Hay" is one of Robin's big reasons for celebrating modern life. The comic explores his obsession in the third series of Reasons To Be Cheerful, Radio 4's retort to the grumpy voices that usually fill the airwaves.

Robin also celebrates how research into our genes has led to a shift in our understanding of who we are. He meets up with leading scientist Michael Dunn at the Wellcome Institute in London to look at the impact of gene research.

According to cynics, today's young people are more interested in Katie Price and X-factor than scientific advancements. Not true says Robin and he sets out to show how today's kids are hungry to learn, with the help of leading psychologist Tanya Byron.

Robin looks for inspiration on how to live a good life from the great French thinker Montaigne. He enlists the help of author Sarah Bakewell to find out what a 16th century philosopher can teach us about modern life.

Comedian and broadcaster Michael Legge provides a grumpy foil to Robin and proves difficult to cheer up.

Producer: Jo Coombs.
A Loftus Audio production for BBC Radio 4. Show less