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Thinking Allowed: Zoos explored, Funeral arranging

11/11/2015

Zoos explored, Funeral arranging

BBC Radio 4 - Thinking Allowed, Zoos explored, Funeral arranging

Laurie Taylor goes on a sociological safari, plus a look at reasons behind funeral choices

Laurie Taylor goes on a sociological safari. Plus a look at what explains the choices people make when they arrange funerals.

Zoos in the modern world: Laurie Taylor talks to David Grazian, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and author of 'American Zoo: A Sociological Safari'. Zoos blur the boundaries between culture and nature; animals and humans and separate civilisation from the 'wild'. They are centres of conservation, as well as recreation and reveal the way we project our desires on to the animal kingdom. So how do zoos juggle their many contradictory meanings and what is their future?

Also, funeral arranging. Isabelle Szmigin, Professor of Marketing at the University of Birmingham, explores 'consumption' choices which are forced through circumstance and can involve a competing range of sentiments, from love to obligation and regret.

Producer: Jayne Egerton.

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