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The Digital Human

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Aleks Krotoski explores the digital world

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Digital Human: Series 4

The Digital Human: Series 4: Episode 1: Altruism

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Factual: Science & Nature

Altruism

Episode 1

Episode 1: Altruism

Series 4

BBC Radio 4 - The Digital Human, Series 4, Altruism

Aleks Krotoski asks if the digital world is allowing us to be more altruistic than ever.

Aleks Krotoski explores what technology tells us about ouselves and the age we live in. In this first programme; is the digital world allowing us to be more altruistic than ever?

So can true altruism exist online? With all the stories of cyber-bullying and trolling it's very easy to forget the random acts of kindness that the technology also allows. Aleks explores some amazing stories of online altruism. But when no good deed goes unpublished and you can keep score of your goodness through 'followers', 'likes' and the accompanying boosts to ego and reputation is truly selfless altruism online an impossibility? And in the end, if good gets done does it matter?

Contributors: Primatologist Frans De Waal, Psychologist Dana Kilsanin, Founder of Random acts of pizza Daniel Rodgers, YouTube DIY guru Chez Rossi

Producer: Peter McManus.

The Digital Human: Series 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Aleks Krotoski explores what technology tells us about ourselves and the age we live in

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The Digital Human

Series 4

Episode 1: Altruism

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