In Christopher Nolan’s 2010 blockbuster Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio’s protagonist is paid to implant an idea into a target’s subconscious. If you look the film up, its genre is listed as being ‘science fiction’ - but could that soon have to be revised?Dream engineering is an experimental new field - with scientists, dream researchers and engineers pursuing the goal of influencing our thoughts as we sleep.For some, the idea holds the promise of a bright future, with benefits for our memories, creativity and wellbeing.On the other hand, though, the ethical issues it causes amid the unregulated world of an emerging technology have led to warnings of a future where our very dreams could be for sale.Presenter: Anand Jagatia
Producer: Dan WelshWith special thanks to The MIT Museum, Seth Riskin, The Woodberry Poetry Room at Harvard Library, The Trustees of the E. E. Cummings Trust, Dr. Suzanne Fairless-Aitken at Bloodaxe BooksCredits:
Tomas Tranströmer, New Collected Poems, tr. Robin Fulton (Bloodaxe Books, 2011)
E. E. Cummings, Xaipe (W W Norton & Co Inc, 1997)In The Dream Makers, Anand Jagatia investigates the fascinating potential and developing concerns over what the future of dream engineering could hold.
FeatureKultur & Gesellschaft
The Documentary Podcast Folgen
Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can uncover hidden truths and make sense of the world. The best of documentary storytelling from the BBC World Service. From Sierra Leone's cocaine trail, to victims' voices in Europe's wildfires, to the extremist "Jihadi cool" content spreading on social media...we go beyond the headlines. Each week we dive into the minds of the world’s most creative people, take personal journeys into spirituality and connect people from across the globe to share how news stories are shaping their lives.
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Folge vom 23.02.2026The Dream Makers
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Folge vom 23.02.2026Jason Gilkison: Choreographer for Strictly Come DancingJason Gilkison has for the past 10 years been the creative force behind the UK's top rating TV show, Strictly Come Dancing, better known around the world as Dancing with the Stars. Jason is an eight-time World Choreographer nominee who has become internationally renowned for his work creating dance spectaculars for the small screen. Katie Derham talks to Jason about his journey from professional dancer to becoming one of the world’s top – and most watched – choreographers. TV director Nikki Parsons explains how she and Jason collaborate to translate dance on to the small screen and the particular challenges of choregraphing for the TV cameras. And costume designer Vicky Gill describes the importance of designing costumes that catch the eye. Plus, we go behind the scenes as Jason puts the dancers through their paces to create a showstopper for the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
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Folge vom 21.02.2026Ukraine after four years of warThe 24th of February will be the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Irena Taranyuk is joined by several of her BBC Ukrainian colleagues to talk about people who are continuing to fight and live in the country. Victoria Kalimbet talks about her pride of her home city, Kharkiv, one of the most attacked Ukrainian cities in the war. Nataliia Patrikieieva explains how dating has changed in Ukraine, as so many of the population are fighting on the frontlines. Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC monitoring and presenter of Ukrainecast, tells us about how some Ukrainians attempt to 'decatastrophise' the war, and his investigation into what is happening in his grandmother's house in occupied Zaporizhia region. This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world. Presented by Irena TaranyukProduced by Laura Thomas and Caroline Ferguson
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Folge vom 21.02.2026Remembering Ukrainians who have lost their lives in the warJust before dawn on 24 February 2022, Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine. Since then, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands on both sides have been killed. We hear from families of fighters, civilians and journalists about their loved ones and the impact on those left behind. “Our son was so tiny when his father was killed and it was really hard to tell him what happened,” Inna tells us. Other guests include Nastya, who shares the music she wrote in memory of her father, and Helen whose talented daughter never realised her dreams. We also feature music from Vitaliy and his friend Andriy. And we hear about two journalists who lost their lives reporting on the war.