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Why do so many world maps place Europe at the centre? Why not Australia? And why is the north always at the top? 42 explores how maps may not be as neutral as you might think.

How Powerful are Maps?

Why do so many world maps place Europe at the centre? Why not Australia? And why is the north always at the top? 

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

Societies built by humans, rarely seem to stand the test of time, whereas ants have been living in colonies since the dawn of time. Do animals build better societies? And should we draw inspiration from them?

Do Animals Have Better Societies?

Societies built by humans, rarely seem to stand the test of time, whereas ants have been living in colonies since the dawn of time. 

Pain has a bad reputation, and we go to great lengths to avoid it: from painkillers to general self-care. It has even been said that our society rejects not only physical pain, but social pain as well. Despite our quest for pleasure, 42 asks the question: is pain necessary?

Is Pain Necessary?

Pain has a bad reputation, and we do everything we can to avoid it. But is it necessary?

For many scientists, the emergence of living organisms elsewhere in the universe is only a matter of time. But most envisage it in a unicellular form, like bacteria. Would our planet be an exception? Is human evolution the result of chance? Do living organisms necessarily evolve towards complexity?

Are Aliens Like Us?

For many scientists, the emergence of living organisms elsewhere in the universe is only a matter of time.

Is being big and strong necessarily the key to success? Not really: it's the small creatures that seem to have more advantages. The most dangerous animal in the world is none other than the mosquito! So wouldn't it be better for the human race to be smaller as well?

Should Humans Be Smaller?

Small animals have a lot going for them. Wouldn't it be better if the human species were smaller?

It seems that economic growth is a prerequisite for collective prosperity. But what if this is just a myth or a dangerous illusion? In this episode of 42 we consider economic sobriety or degrowth and ask the question: what do we really risk if the economy shrinks?

Can We Shrink the Economy?

Could our economy be organised differently and even shrink?

Like food, drink or sex, feeling valued is one of our most basic needs: we aspire to be loved, sometimes even adored. But why is that, and why doesn't it happen to everyone? Is it really a good thing to be popular?

How to Become Popular

Human beings aspire to be loved. Why? And what does love have to do with popularity?

From the sandbox to the office, power dynamics shape our lives. Power can change our personalities and make us take reckless risks, give in to impulses and even erode our empathy – a transformation that can open the door to conflict or war. The experience of power has far-reaching consequences, both on a personal and on a global scale.

Do We Need to Have Power?

Power shifts our entire personalities, leading to impulsiveness and a lack of empathy.

Periods of climate change in the past have caused mass extinctions. But they have also led to the emergence of new complex life forms. Understanding these historic shifts in our Earth’s climate may offer insights into the ecological challenges and environmental imbalances we are currently facing.  

Is There an Upside to Climate Change?

Can past changes in our climate tell us more about the environmental crises we are facing today?

Depictions of the future in popular science fiction novels or films are often bleak, while positive utopias and tales of a new golden age are beginning to fade. Why is this shift taking place? Has our grim view of the world made us lose hope for a better future? And what does this say about our vision of what is to come?

Do We Need More Utopias?

Positive utopias and tales of a better world seem to have vanished from science fiction. But why?

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42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

SciencesIn brief

All videos

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

Sciences
In brief