Culture File

The musician and composer behind Ordnance Survey, Neil O'Connor on some of his favourites in watching, reading, listening, tasting and smelling

Palo Alto became a centre of technology while horses were still providing much of the world's horsepower. But the story of this San Francisco suburb and its approach to the people and resources offers a useful way of understanding the contemporary world, according to historian Malcolm Harris' new book.

Malcolm Harris' epic new history of Palo Alto unpicks some of the stories Silicon Valley likes to tell about itself. Plus this time, the rise of former Stanford Philosophy grad and current ultra-right billionaire, Peter Thiel. (3/3)

Malcolm Harris continues the story of Palo Alto, home to eugenics-inspired Stanford university, which grew into the engine of Silicon Valley. (2/3)

Historian Malcolm Harris on his new book on the San Francisco suburb that gave the world the "Palo Alto System". (1/3)

Paddy Woodworth's imaginary shelf of the world's best nature writing adds a slim volume (or three) of poetry by Seamus Heaney.

Choreographer, dancer and former cross country skier, Marco D'Agostin on some of his favourites in watching, listening, reading, tasting and smelling.

A spectral reimagining of the music of Seán Ó Riada, Marco D'Agostin's tribute to the late English dance artist, Nigel Charnok, a visit to "the longest stage in the world" and Jennifer Walshe on all the many ways that AI is like an energy drink.

The GrünflächenUnterhaltung is a yearly event held in the German city of Münster creating "the longest stage in the world" with four kilometers of musicians performing on a Saturday afternoon in May.

The musical territory of Seán Ó Riada reimagined by Ordnance Survey, the current moniker of Irish composer and musician, Neil O'Connor.