Obesity - Cruel Optimism

Thinking Allowed

BBC

Science, Society & Culture

4.4 • 973 Ratings

🗓️ 8 February 2012

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We inhabit a precarious world of crisis and calamity which mocks the post war promise of upward mobility, social equality and job security. We remain attached to the unachievable fantasies of the good life, even though they are thwarted at every turn. That's the cheering claim of the cultural theorist Lauren Berlant. She and Laurie are joined by the sociologist, Professor Bev Skeggs, to analyse what she calls the 'cruel optimism' of contemporary life. Also on the programme, Karen Throsby talks of her ethnographic study of an obesity clinic and the hidden moral element to every aspect of the procedure. Producer: Charlie Taylor.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix,
0:06.0	the Science of Happiness Podcast.
0:08.0	For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want
0:14.4	to share that science with you.
0:16.1	And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.
0:19.4	I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that karma place within.
0:27.0	Listen on BBC Sounds.
0:32.0	My name is Annie Matt Manas.
0:33.0	And my name is Nick Grimshaw.
0:35.0	How long have we known each other, babe?
0:37.0	Probably 20 years now.
0:38.0	And in that time, we've always worked in and around music, right?
0:42.0	You have.
0:43.0	So it kind of makes sense that we do a podcast better.
0:45.0	It sounds like he's been 20 years in the making.
0:47.0	It's not Avatars are for podcasts, basically.
0:49.0	But it is good.
0:50.0	So we put the world to rights with regards to music.
0:53.0	It's all the stuff that you'd want to chat to your mate about over a pint.
0:56.0	Sidetracked with us Annie and Nick.
0:59.0	Listen on BBC Sounds.
1:02.0	Choosing what to watch. Night after night. See sounds. We want to help you. On our brand new podcast off the telly we share what we've been watching
	...

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