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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Essay Podcast

The Essay

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: Are You Paying Attention?: Beyond the Crisis of Attention

Beyond the Crisis of Attention

Are You Paying Attention?

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In her final essay, writer Madeleine Bunting asks whether we are in a crisis of attention.

In the final part of her series of essays, writer and journalist Madeleine Bunting considers whether the digital revolution has really led us into a crisis of attention.

In this series of essays, writer and journalist Madeleine Bunting has been exploring some of the pitfalls of the digital revolution: in particular, how it can scatter and manipulate our attention and prevent us from focusing deeply on any one idea. But are the consequences of constant multi-tasking really all negative? Her children, Madeleine admits, would say no - they are capable of doing things on three different screens at once while doing their homework, and they still come away with A*s. Madeleine herself is more dubious about the benefits of scattering her attention too widely - and in this final essay, she also explores whether Mindfulness meditation can be an antidote to the crisis of attention.

The Essay: Are You Paying Attention?

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

A week-long exploration of why attention has become a major social concern.

A week-long exploration of why our attention has become a major social concern - and how our attention is harnessed to make money.

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