Free Thinking

Anne McElvoy talks to David Edgar about his new play 'If Only' which focuses on The Coalition Government. Composer Orlando Gough tells us about his role in a one-off-art event celebrating the UK's long-silent foghorns in the north-east of England. Geographer Danny Dorling explains why he believes the predicted population explosion won't happen and even if it does, we might just cope, with Nick Bostrom in discussion. And Adam Broomberg discusses his works with Oliver Chanarin and why their concern is mistrust of the images which saturate our lives.

Philip Dodd goes to the V&A to speak to Hari Kunzru about his new work, and discusses manipulation of memory, and our anxieties about forgetting, with the actor Edward Petherbridge, the historical novelist Lawrence Norfolk, and memory expert Professor Giuliana Mazzoni. The writer Val McDermid talks to Philip Dodd about the remarkable book, The Wasp Factory and its impact, and her friend and fellow writer Iain Banks. And historian, Rebecca Steinfeld, one of Radio 3's New Generation Thinkers, on "the war of the wombs" in Israel, a battle that pits Jewish against Arabic reproductive power.

BBC Radio 3's annual Free Thinking festival of ideas hits the road this summer as it takes up residency at leading summer events across the country.

Matthew Sweet talks to Conor McPherson about his new play The Night Alive, working with his own material as writer and director, violence on stage and his muses. On the 700th anniversary of Boccaccio's birth, Matthew is joined by Massimo Riva, Guyda Armstrong and Lindsay Johns to discuss the relevance of the Florentine author today. David Kynaston has been 'Opening the Box' on the years 1957 - 59, the third in his series of books looking across the history of post-war Britain. But are we just too sentimental about the 1950s? New Generation Thinker Chris Harding explains how religions and scientific psychology and psychiatry are drawing ever closer together in our modern consciousness.

Anne McElvoy talks to Neil Gaiman, prolific award-winning author of novels for adults and children alike and writer for radio and television about new novel, The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. Historian, Selina Todd, writer and novelist Bidisha, and Telegraph columnist Tim Stanley tiptoe round a debate raging across social media, 'check your privilege’. Universe Cosmologist consultant, Marcus Chown reports back from Visions of the Universe exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

Samira Ahmed talks to Joss Whedon, creator of the cult TV hit Buffy The Vampire Slayer, whose new film is a modern dress version of Much Ado About Nothing. Marianne Elliott talks about her new production of Tennessee Williams's play Sweet Bird of Youth, starring Kim Cattrall as a Hollywood leading lady whose youth is fading. Radio 3 New Generation Thinker Greg Tate looks back to a famous debate on Education between Matthew Arnold and T.H. Huxley which throws an interesting light on the current over-heated discussions about what our children should be taught.

A first night review of the National Theatre's revival of James Baldwin's drama The Amen Corner, starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Matthew Sweet along with Susannah Clapp and Lindsay Johns review. Are conspiracy theories the sign of a decayed or thriving democracy? Discussing are Professor Sir Richard Evans, David Aaronovitch and Eliane Glaser. New Generation Thinker John Gallagher meditates on the pleasures and pitfalls of disguise for the sixteenth century traveller. And Matthew interviews Rachel Kushner whose latest novel, The Flamethrowers is about the art and radicalism of the 1970's.

Philip Dodd examines A Crisis of Brilliance a new exhibition at London's Dulwich Picture gallery with the curator David Boyd-Haycock. As Turkey's anti-government protest continues, Elif Shafak, Karl Sharro and Professor Benjamin Fortna, explore the underlying reasons for civil society's dissatisfactions. Sarah Dillon is one of this year's New Generation Thinkers and her column is on the role of analogy in science. Søren Kierkegaard, the grandfather of existentialism, was also a sophisticated humourist. Philip is joined by theologian George Pattison and the Danish comedian Claus Damgaard for a Kierkegaardian lesson in freedom.

Alex Harris and Anne McElvoy review the latest Marc Chagall exhibition at the Tate Liverpool. Andrew Simms and Stephen D. King discuss the "End of Western Affluence". Anne talks to Cornelia Parker about her latest exhibition at Frith Street Gallery. And one of this year's Radio 3 New Generation Thinkers, Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough reflects on the possible relationship between Nordic Noir TV and Old Norse Tales.

Philip Dodd talks to internationally renowned video artist Bill Viola about his latest show: nine major new works in a museum-scale exhibition in London. What is the play, A Satire of the Three Estates relevance to Scottish identity today? We ask Professor Greg Walker who has restored the text, and theatre critic Joyce McMillan. Award-winning documentary maker Norma Percy discusses her latest series on the Iraq war and Jules Evans, one of this year's Radio 3 New Generation Thinkers, reflects on philosophy.