Politics & Society

For more information about the event and to listen to the podcast go to the RSA event page: http://bit.ly/1jGN6C3 How will the ‘collaborative commons’ transform our lives? Jeremy Rifkin, one of the world’s most popular public thinkers and political advisors, argues that capitalism will no longer be the dominant paradigm in the second half of

Author and consultant Nicholas Lovell offers a new approach to engaging with followers, fans and customers, and a new way of understanding pricing and value in the 21st century internet economy. Listen to the podcast of the full event including audience Q&A: http://www.thersa.org/__data/assets/file/0005/1534478/20131031NicholasLovell.mp3 For more information about the event go to the RSA event page

Economy for the Common Good with economist and writer Christian Felber. Can businesses have both endless growth and be fair and sustainable? Is it possible to conceive an economic model that’s not tainted by our current financial system? Christian Felber’s initiative ‘Economy for the Common Good’ started in 2010 and is now supported by more

Bestselling author of Drive and star of the most-viewed RSA Animate, Dan Pink visits the RSA to explore the ways in which we can all improve our everyday sales skills, and identifies the personal qualities and essential skills necessary to move people. Listen to the podcast of the full event including audience Q&A: http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2013/the-surprising-truth-about-motivating-others Follow

Data journalist, designer and founder of the blog sensation ‘Information is Beautiful’ (http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/) David McCandless visited the RSA to demonstrate how visualised information can help us comprehend, navigate and find meaning in a complex world. SUBSCRIBE to our channel! Follow the RSA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RSAEvents Like RSA Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsaeventsoff… Listen to RSA podcasts:

Watch this 5 Minute Life Lesson interview with Bernadette Jiwa, global authority on the role of story in business, innovation and marketing, and author of “Hunch: Turn Your Everyday Insights Into the Next Big Thing”. These bite-sized interviews offer backstage access insights – with brand new, updated questions, hear about what makes Bernadette happy, who

We are living in a change of eras. Our current models of energy, finance and healthcare are not sustainable for the future. We need new solutions based on ecological, human-friendly relationships. We need new organizational structures focused on meaningfulness and new economic principles. With a new consciousness we can improve quality of life for vulnerable

Acclaimed popular psychologist Richard Wiseman joins celebrated RSA Animate illustrator Andrew Park to unveil new evidence that shows that RSA Animate videos not only entertain, but educate in a surprisingly effective way. The RSA would like to make the following correction. The audio editing of the RSA Animate under discussion featuring Roman Kraznaric’s work was

Renowned economist Mariana Mazzucato urges us to reconsider where wealth really comes from, and how we determine value in our economy. Watch Mariana Mazzucato, director at UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose, in our latest RSA Spotlight – the edits which take you straight to the heart of the event! Enjoyed this snippet? Watch

Climate change has struggled to break through as a mainstream political priority in recent years. But are we now witnessing a new political interest in all things green? Watch MP and Leader of the Green Party Caroline Lucas, in our latest RSA Spotlight – the edits which take you straight to the heart of the

People seem to fit into Four Tendencies: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels, but which one are you?! Bestselling author Gretchen Rubin believes that using the Four Tendencies will help shine a spotlight on hidden patterns in our behaviour in a way that can allow us to be happier, healthier, more productive and more creative. Watch

Stats guru and political forecaster Nate Silver reveals why most predictions fail, and shows how we can isolate a true “signal” from a universe of increasingly big and noisy data. Speaker: Nate Silver, statistician and political forecaster at The New York Times. Chair: Dara O Briain, award-winning comedian, writer and broadcaster. SUBSCRIBE to our channel!

Radical philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb offers a blueprint for how to live – and thrive – in a world we don’t understand, and which is too uncertain for us to even try to predict. Discussant: Rohan Silva, senior policy adviser to the Prime Minister at No 10 Downing Street. Chair: Fraser Nelson, editor, The Spectator

With Richard Thaler, Professor of Behavioural Science and Economics at the University of Chicago. Thaler urges us to recognise our “human-ness” as a given and to use the way we think to our advantage.

Authors Mark Earls and Alex Bentley explore how ideas, behaviour and culture spread through the simple means of doing what others do. Listen to the audio file of the full event: http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2011/ill-have-what-shes-having-mapping-social-behaviour

How have we achieved so much despite understanding so little? Whilst individuals know very little, the collective mind knows a lot. Acclaimed cognitive scientist Steven Sloman explains how we survive and thrive despite our mental shortcomings, because we live in a rich community of knowledge. The key to our intelligence lies in the people and

Robert Kegan’s theory of adult meaning-making has influenced theory and practice internationally across multiple disciplines. In a special RSA event, he considers: is it really possible to grow beyond the psychological independence of the “self-authoring mind,” so often seen as the zenith of adult development? Follow the RSA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thersaorg Like the RSA on

Ruby Wax – comedian, writer and mental health campaigner, visits the RSA to explain how and why our busy, self-critical thoughts drive us to anxiety and depression, and to provide ways of taming our out-of-control minds. Listen to the podcast of the full event including audience Q&A: http://www.thersa.org/__data/assets/file/0017/1532411/20131003RubyWax.mp3 For more information about the event go

Renowned psychotherapist, author and broadcaster, Philippa Perry visits the RSA to give tips for any parent looking to navigate their past, avoid repeating their own parents’ mistakes, and ensure they don’t saddle their children with life-long issues. Watch psychotherapist and author, Philippa Perry in our latest RSA Spotlight – the edits which take you straight

In 2013 David Graeber, professor of anthropology at LSE, wrote an excoriating essay on modern work for Strike! magazine. “On the Phenomenon of Bullshit Jobs” was read over a million times and the essay translated in seventeen different languages within weeks. Graeber visits the RSA to expand on this phenomenon, and will explore how the

David Cameron MP and best-selling author Nassim Taleb discuss what measures need to be taken, in the wake of the economic crisis, in order to create a more Black Swan-robust society.

Clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson has built a following of tens of millions of viewers with his online lectures on topics from ancient mythology to modern relationships. In an era of often disorienting change and divisive politics, his message, emphasising individual responsibility and ancient wisdom, has resonated around the world, especially with young people. Drawing examples

Can we really trust the work of social change to the ‘winners’ of global capitalism? Can our most urgent challenges be truly addressed by an unelected elite, whose ‘win-win’ solutions do little to question the root causes of systemic inequality and injustice? Anand Giridharadas offers an analysis of the global elite who claim to be

Work hard, play by the rules, and you’ll go as far as your talents will take you. Right? But so often this isn’t how the system works. In this powerful new RSA Minimate, political philosopher Michael Sandel confronts our age of stalling social mobility and entrenched inequality, and asks: what would it take to give

In this RSA Animate, renowned philosopher Slavoj Zizek investigates the surprising ethical implications of charitable giving. This was taken from the RSA’s free public events programme. The RSA is a 258 year-old charity devoted to creating social progress and spreading world-changing ideas. For more information about our research, RSA Animates, free events programme and 27,000

All of us fail in myriad ways almost every single day and yet, we live in an age where it is very difficult to be honest about failure, where it seems as if everyone else is nailing their life. Award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Day explains how failure can teach us lessons we would never

Legendary producer and QI mastermind John Lloyd visits the RSA to share the culmination of a life’s reading — that it’s what we don’t know that really matters. Find out more about QI: http://www.qi.com/ Follow the RSA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thersaorg Like the RSA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thersaorg Our events are made possible with the support of

Alain de Botton asks: what is it that we’re really looking for when we watch or read the news – and is it doing us any good? Follow the RSA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thersaorg Like the RSA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thersaorg Our events are made possible with the support of our Fellowship. Support us by donating or

For more information about the event and to listen to the podcast go to the RSA event page: http://bit.ly/1ksPP0R One of the world’s most respected public thinkers visits the RSA to explore the hidden workings of capital. David Harvey, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the City University of New York Graduate School, unravels the paradoxes

Author and business adviser Josh Kaufman reveals a new approach for acquiring new skills quickly with just a small amount of practice each day. Donate to the RSA: https://utm.guru/udy0A SUBSCRIBE to our channel! Follow the RSA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RSAEvents Like RSA Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsaeventsoff… Listen to RSA podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/the_rsa See RSA Events behind the

Award-winning science journalist Dan Hurley investigates the new field of intelligence training, and asks: can we really boost our brain power? For more information about the event go to the RSA event page http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2013/can-you-make-yourself-smarter Listen to the podcast of the full event including audience Q&A: http://www.thersa.org/__data/assets/file/0009/1539117/20140130DanHurley.mp3 Follow the RSA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thersaorg Like the RSA

What does it take to come up with a new idea? In this beautifully illustrated RSA Short, award-winning mathematician Cédric Villani reveals the seven key ingredients that come together to create breakthrough moments in human knowledge and innovation. Watch the full talk (RSA Replay): https://youtu.be/iEWvTt1EFWs. Watch the edited talk (RSA Spotlight): https://youtu.be/z9-y12Q5YxA Voice: Cedric Villani

Success is no longer about individual talent, knowledge or skill. Success is about freeing ourselves from the blind spots that beset us all, and pooling our collective intelligence. In our latest RSA Short, best-selling author and columnist Matthew Syed shows where the best ideas come from and how we can apply these ideas to tackling

We call for a different way of thinking about both democracy and society. Healthy democracies are able to promote responsiveness and accountability between institutions, experts and citizens; whilst those that fail to do lack precisely those qualities. We need to look beyond the ballot box – understanding elections and electoral democracy one part of a

Sir Ken Robinson addresses the fundamental economic, cultural, social and personal purposes of education. He argues that education should be personalised to every student’s talent, passion, and learning styles, and that creativity should be embedded in the culture of every single school. Chair: Matthew Taylor, RSA chief executive. Supported by Samsung Mobile Listen to the

How did the internet giants come to dominate our world? Big Tech firms are now some of the richest and most powerful entities on the planet – and we’re starting to see the effects of this extreme concentration of power, in the shocking ways these platforms have been used to manipulate our elections, violate our

Adam Phillips, one of Britain’s most renowned psychoanalysts and literary figures, joins RSA Chief Executive Matthew Taylor for a conversation about life, the universe, and everything (and maybe a little Freud as well). Follow the RSA on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thersaorg Like the RSA on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thersaorg Our events are made possible with the support of our

Award-winning food writer Michael Pollan shows how we can become more mindful of what we eat, and how we can make food choices that are better for ourselves and our environment

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of our life and yet it is increasingly neglected in twenty-first-century society, with devastating consequences. Award-winning professor of neuroscience Matthew Walker provides a fascinating insight in to why it is vital we start taking sleep seriously. Watch Matthew Walker, director of the Centre for Human Sleep Science,

We have taken huge steps towards tackling some of the biggest threats on humanity throughout history, and in many ways our lives have never been better! So where do we go from here? Author and historian Rutger Bregman argues that in order to continue towards a better world, we need big ideas and a robust

‘Economics is for everyone’, argues legendary economist Ha-Joon Chang in our latest mind-blowing RSA Animate. This is the video economists don’t want you to see! Chang explains why every single person can and SHOULD get their head around basic economics. He pulls back the curtain on the often mystifying language of derivatives and quantitative easing,

In May this year, James Williams, a former Google employee and doctoral candidate researching design ethics at Oxford University, won the inaugural US$100,000 Nine Dots Prize. James argues that digital technologies privilege our impulses over our intentions, and are gradually diminishing our ability to engage with the issues we most care about. Watch James Williams,

In the latest event in our series on spirituality in the 21st century, psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist considers the status of the soul. Once considered the most important part, indeed the whole purpose, of a human life – has science has now rendered the idea of the soul irretrievably redundant? If so, what have

Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores how cognitive diversity can strengthen individual, team and institutional performance and outlines how its power becomes more profound when implemented into problem solving, coming up with creative ideas and strategies, new products and businesses.

The 21st century presents us with huge challenges. How can we empower people to be active participants in creating a world we want to live in? In this extract from his annual RSA Chief Executive’s Lecture, Matthew Taylor offers a vision for the future – a world where every individual has the freedom and opportunity