The Boring Talks

By BBC SoundsComedy Society & Culture

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Typical duration
18 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

The Boring Talks episodes

March 02, 2020 #45 - Box Certificates
One day while breaking down a box in a corridor, Joyce Smith noticed a box certificate. Quickly followed by a second one. Now Joyce had 2 of them, and 2 of anything is the start of a collection.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.
20 min
February 24, 2020 # 44 - Swearing: a personal cross-cultural comparative study of Hindi and English
If you hit your thumb with a hammer, what swear word would you immediately scream? Charvy Narain asked her friends and family this question, which lead to a personal journey from the 'buffalo's eye' to New York City cops and the her surprising Mausi. In this edition of The Boring Talks Charvy Narain takes a very foul mouthed and personal look at swearing in Hindi and English.
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.
15 min
February 17, 2020 The Sounds Of Computer Games Loading
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.
The clunk and click of the datasette machine. The white noise of the tape loading. The strange and compelling soundtrack of the loading music.
The author and video game Keith Stuart remembers the forgotten whirrs and clicks that made up the soundtrack of his youth.
15 min
February 10, 2020 #42 - The Lexicon Of Breakups
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.
In 2011, comedian Rosie Wilby was dumped by email. (Though she did feel better about it after correcting her ex’s spelling and punctuation).
Obsessing ever since about whether technology has enabled abrupt endings to relationships, she discovered an entire new language. But what are ghosting, breadcrumbing, submarining, pocketing, benching and curving?
Rosie Wilby is a comedian and presents The Breakup Monologues podcast.
Presenter: James Ward
Contributor: Rosie Wilby
Producer: Luke Doran
16 min
February 10, 2020 #41 - Pencils
James Ward introduces another curious talk about a subject that may seem boring, but is actually very interesting.... maybe.
Brian Mackenwells is passionate about pencils. In this Boring Talk he shares his passion for good pencils.
He talks us through their history, and explains why having a good pencil gives you a pleasurable 'small pivot point that can change your whole mind set'. He also talks us through his favourite pencils, and shares the very personal reason that he can't part with one particular pencil in his collection.
Presenter: James Ward
Contributor: Brian Mackenwells
Producer: Luke Doran
28 min
February 27, 2019 #40 - Thank You (again)
James Ward says thank you for listening to series two and chooses the best numbers from each of the talks.
Presenter: James Ward
Producer: Luke Doran
2 min
February 25, 2019 #39 - Doormats
Can a doormat actually increase the value of your property by £30k?
Alex Baxevanis explains all in his study of the doormats from his block of flats.
Presenter: James Ward
Contributor: Alex Baxevanis
Producer: Luke Doran
14 min
February 18, 2019 #38 - Markham Moor Roof
Just off the Markham Exit on the A1 motorway lies an architectural wonder. Ed Carter shares his love for an unusual roadside roof, with help from a whistle or two.
Presenter: James Ward
Contributor: Ed Carter
Producer: Luke Doran
16 min
February 11, 2019 #37 - Watergate Tape 'Silence'
The neuroscientist Sophie Scott takes a close listen to the long 'silent' gap on the Watergate Tapes.
Buzz. Click. Buzz. Click. Buzz.
Presenter: James Ward
Contributor: Sophie Scott
Producer: Luke Doran
26 min
February 04, 2019 #36 - Shanghai Architecture
From the 'eye of Sauron' building, to a deserted London town. The designer Hannah Cameron takes a walk back through the buildings that shaped her time living in China's biggest city.
Presenter: James Ward
Contributor: Hannah Cameron
Producer: Luke Doran
19 min