What lies behind our urge to fill our days with activity, noise and excitement? We seem to flee from boredom: from parents who constantly seek to keep their children occupied to TV executives who over-stimulate their audiences so they don't switch channels. So why do we stay busy rather than spend more time alone with our thoughts? Giles Fraser wonders why we're so scared of being bored.

Presenter: Giles Fraser
Producer: Ruth Watts

Interviewed guest: Raymond Tallis
Interviewed guest: Naomi Alderman
Interviewed guest: Camila Batmanghelidjh
Interviewed guest:Julian Baggini
Interviewed guest: Lars Svendsen Show less