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The Why Factor: The Rivals

The Rivals

26/09/2014

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, The Rivals

History’s greatest rivals, and the creative and destructive sides of rivalry

What is rivalry? In this episode of the Why Factor we’ll hear about some of history’s greatest rivals and explore the creative and destructive sides of rivalry.

History and mythology are filled with great rivalries, the foundation of Rome by the twins Romulus and Remus, brothers first, then enemies.  

Rivals have spurred each other to create new technologies… think of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. They’ve given us great sport as well: Hamilton and Rosberg on the race-track today, Evert and Navratilova on the tennis court in the 1970s and 1980s, the Yankees and the Red Sox for more than a century. The rivals have given us whole new industries and music that defines a generation.  

What is rivalry? In this episode of the Why Factor we’ll hear about some of history’s greatest rivals from business, technology and sport, and explore the creative and destructive side of one-upmanship.  

Produced by Gemma Newby

(Image of a Friendship and Rivalry Justice Scale on a white background. Photo credit: Shutterstock)

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