Why do we go on pilgrimages? Read more
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The Pilgrimage
Why do we go on pilgrimages?
Chastity
Associated with morality, modesty, politics and religion why is chastity so complicated?
Ghosts
Why do so many people claim to see ghosts?
Gossip
Why do we like to gossip 鈥� and is it good for us?
Gardens
Why do people have gardens and do gardening?
The 100th Programme: The Life of Why
Celebrating the 100th edition of The Why Factor
Protest
What brings people out into the streets to take direct action against the powerful?
Risking Life For Strangers
Would you risk your life for a stranger?
The Rivals
History鈥檚 greatest rivals, and the creative and destructive sides of rivalry
What is Charisma?
Why is it so hard to pin down what we mean by charisma?
Brands
Why do we place so much trust in brands? And who benefits from them?
Karma
Is Karma fatalism or guidance on how to improve your life?
Embarrassment
What is embarrassment, why do we feel it and is it a good thing? Mike Williams finds out
Chess
How has the 1500-year-old game mirrored politics and changes in society?
Memorialisation
How do we remember the dead and why does it matter?
How we remember the dead, and why does it matter?
Poetry
Why do we read, or write poetry, as opposed to prose?
Letters
The disappearing art of the hand-written letter and three stories of love
Cookery
Why do we cook food rather than just eat it raw?
Nudity
Why does the naked human form provoke such strong reactions?
Sharing
Why do we share? And, what happens inside our brains when we do?
Perfume
Why do we use perfume and what does it say about us?
Honour
People have fought for it and died for it. Why is this notion so powerful?
The Moon
Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?
Portrait Photography
Why do we want to capture human faces?
Loyalty
Mike Williams asks why are we loyal, and who are we really loyal to?
Why Do We Fly Flags?
From identity symbols to signalling tools, why human societies are fascinated by flags
Sad Music
Sad music has become more popular according to a recent study. Why do people listen to it?
Why are watches enduring status symbols?
Watches have been an indicator of status since their invention. Mike Williams asks why
Rejecting Riches
Why do some people give the vast majority of their money away?
Chasing Riches
Why do the rich want to get richer? What drives the wealthy to want more?
