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Thinking Allowed

The Politics of Alcohol - Cooperation

Thinking Allowed

BBC

Science, Society & Culture

4.4973 Ratings

🗓️ 1 February 2012

⏱️ 29 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

'Sprezzatura' is an Italian word describing a nonchalant effortless style which conceals the skill and artistry involved in doing something. It is a quality which the sociologist Richard Sennett claims embodies the gentlemanly characteristics of cooperation and modesty which came to the fore in Europe during the Renaissance. However, sprezzatura is under siege from the aggressive and competitive tendencies of finance capitalism, and we are losing the art of working together. That is one contention from his new study of cooperation, and what we can do to operate in closer harmony. He joins Laurie and the philosopher John Gray to discuss the meaning of cooperation. Also on the programme, James Nicholls discusses what it is about the British and booze. 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

0:25.4

calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.

0:30.0

Choosing what to watch night after night the flicking through the endless

0:38.3

search and it's a nightmare we want to help you on our brand new podcast off the telly we share what we've been watching

0:45.4

Clairey ate it. Loads of games, loads of fun, loads of screaming. Lovely.

0:50.8

Off the telly with me Joanna Paige and me, Natalie Cassidy, so your evenings can be a little

0:56.2

less searching and a lot more watching.

0:58.6

Listen on BBC Sounds.

1:01.4

This is a Thinking Loud Podcast from the BBC and for more details in our terms of use and

1:06.7

much, much more about Thinking Allowed, go to our website at BBC.co. UK.

1:13.0

Hello. A long time ago when I rather fancied myself as a drinker when, unlike some of my

1:19.2

mates I didn't fall over at the sniff of a barmaid's apron, I developed a game based on Luke Reinhart's book, The Dice Man.

1:27.0

Before going out for the evening, I'd sit down with my university drinking powers and he'd write out a list of six drinks,

1:31.8

number one, Pinterbitter, two, Pernone Black Cur drinks, number one, pint a bitter, two,

1:33.2

per known black curate, number three, gin and orange, four, rum and peb,

1:36.4

five baby sham, and if six came up you rolled again and double the result.

1:40.6

Then as soon as we were in the pub, we take turns and let the dice decide our tipple.

...

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