The Digital Human

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Aleks Krotoski explores the digital world

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Digital Human: Series 20: Disrupted

Disrupted

Series 20

BBC Radio 4 - The Digital Human, Series 20, Disrupted

Aleks asks if Covid-19 is a technological accelerator, giving a glimpse into the future.

We are feeling the disruptive force of Covid-19 and its fallout. But will we want to hold onto BC, Before Coronavirus to make our world AD, After the Disease, what it once was?

We’ve heard a lot about “disruption” over the last few years - companies upending, institutions and  entrepreneurs revolutionising some of the things that we thought always were and always should be. Technology has been the poster child of these rapid social and economic changes. But disruption existed before Silicon Valley co-opted the word - it was change, that accelerated something, unexpected.  It was something that exposed the cracks in our expectations and changed things, sometimes forever.

Two big thinkers, James Burke and Pico Iyer join Aleks to explore whether the pandemic provides the opportunity to think about how we can restructure our lives and our societies. Whether it gives us the chance to embrace disruption, and to reflect on what new ways of being are available to us on the other side.  Is what is important to each of us becoming clear... if we choose to listen to it? 

Produced by Kate Bissell and Mark Rickards  

The Digital Human: Series 20

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 the digital world.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Digital Human

Series 20

Disrupted

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4