Boring Stories To Fall Asleep
Boring Stories to Fall Asleep is a sleep-aid podcast that offers calm, unhurried tales to help listeners relax and drift off. Episodes feature unadventurous book summaries and quietly told historical trivia, delivered in a soothing, unsurprising style. It is designed for night owls and anyone seeking a peaceful background for sleep.
Episodes
Water, Life's Universal Catalyst
It is well known that life on Earth depends on water. Some researchers believe that this molecule is predestined for this mission, thanks to its many unusual properties. What makes this mysterious substance, found throughout the universe, so unique?
Cities, Climate and Sustainability in the Nordic Countries of Europe
Northern European countries are known for their long tradition of welfare: Norway, Sweden and Finland still share the defence of their social welfare model, but also the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. How can these two demands be reconciled? Three examples of sustainable architecture in Oslo, Skelleftea and Helsinki.
War, Memory and Propaganda
Various voices from different countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Poland, reflect on the trauma and legacy of the Second World War. Some express concern about Russia's attempt to monopolise the narrative of victory and use it to justify present actions, while others recall the atrocities of the conflict and the importance of not forgetting the past in order to prevent it from repeating it
Svalbard, Where Polar Circle Ice Melts
Temperatures on the Svalbard archipelago, home to the world's northernmost population centers, are averaging five degrees higher in just 30 years. The “ice fjord” must now change its name, rain and rainbows are replacing snowfall, reindeer are not surviving, and the administrative capital Longyearbyen has become a study base for scientists from around the world.Kim Holmen, director of the Norw
We may be Increasingly Addicted to Drugs
Drugs have a bad reputation; yet, scientists have long been convinced that the use of psychedelic substances can be (sometimes) beneficial. In an age when the consumption of ecstasy, LSD and other hallucinogens is about to be approved for therapeutic purposes, should we perhaps change our relationship with certain narcotics?
What if we lived on the Moon?
Would humans be able to breathe, construct buildings or obtain food on the moon? In short: could humanity ever actually inhabit our satellite?
Escaping the System: Dreams and Reality
The sources explore the human desire to abandon conventional society for a life perceived as more free and self-determined, illustrating both the romantic attraction of isolation in nature and the practical and psychological difficulties of such a choice. Through the experiences of individuals who have attempted this transition, a reflection emerges on the deep motivations that drive people to esc
Champollion and the Secret of Hieroglyphics
The texts provide a detailed account of the life and work of Jean-François Champollion, focusing on his journey to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. They highlight the crucial support of his older brother, Jacques-Joseph, in his learning and research. The sources describe the discovery of the Rosetta Stone and the competition with other scholars, culminating in Champollion's epoch-making succes
High-speed rail between Turin and Lyon: Tensions and Resistance in the Alps
This episode is about the controversial construction of the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail line (LGV), highlighting the protests and concerns of local residents in France and Italy regarding the environmental, social and economic impact of the project.
The Fascinating History of the Railway: Two Centuries of Progress
This episode traces the all-encompassing evolution of the railway, from its birth and its impact on industrialisation and 19th-century society, to the challenges posed by the automobile and the aeroplane in the 20th century. It highlights the technical innovations, social changes, global expansion and geopolitical role of the railway, including darker aspects such as its use during the Holocaust.
AI and Music: Future Vibes
The impact of artificial intelligence on music, different perspectives from musicians and technicians. They question the creative potential of AI, its ability to generate quality music and the possible consequences on originality, emotion and the future of musical art. Some artists are actively experimenting with AI as a tool for innovation, creating new sounds and unexpected collaborations. Howev
Tairona: The Lost City of Gold in the Colombian Jungle
The discovery and study of Ciudad Perdida, an ancient city in the Colombian jungle. Archaeologist Peterot guides viewers through the history of this Tairona civilisation, rediscovered in 1976 by Luisa Fernanda Herrera. The story explores the challenges of exploration, the social and political organisation of the Tairona, highlighting their advanced construction and communication techniques. Finall
Eiffel, the War of the Towers
An overview of the genesis and controversies surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower. The episode explores the competition between Gustave Eiffel's iron design and Jules Bourdet's stone proposal for the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris, highlighting the conflict between tradition and progress.
Animal Sex: A World of Diversity
Pansexual primates, hermaphroditic leopard slugs, clown fish that change sex: in the animal world, sexual behaviour is much more diverse than we might think. Contradicting the theory of Darwinian evolution, a panel of scientists offers a modern interpretation of the sexuality of the 11 million species in existence.
The Golden Age of Civil Aviation
Civil aviation was born in 1919, but it was not until after the Second World War that air traffic really took off. Tickets were very expensive, however, and air travel in the 1950s was a luxury reserved for wealthy tourists and businessmen.The legendary Pan American World Airways, better known as Pan Am, epitomised the elegance and glamour of the period. Concorde, the legendary supersonic aircraft
Ice baths: Embracing the Cold
It's a well-known fact that human beings love the heat. Sunbathing under the scorching sun is popular, and sweating profusely in the sauna is considered to be good for the health. But that doesn't stop tens of thousands of Germans responding to the call of the cold: diving into lakes in November, splashing around in icy baths in the garden or hiking in their swimming costumes in the snow. They hop
The Origin of Life: Mystery Unveiled?
This episode explores the origin of life on Earth, from the earliest single-celled forms to current theories. Several hypotheses are presented, including the role of hydrothermal springs and the RNA world, highlighting the challenges in reconstructing these primordial events in the laboratory.
Europe is Insanely well Designed
A comparison of the transport infrastructure between Europe and the United States, highlighting how the European rail network, including high-speed trains, is more extensive and integrated. Despite a less extensive road network, Europe suffers less from congestion thanks to policies that incentivise public transport and discourage private car use. There is greater parking density in the US than in
Arcachon: Challenges and Future of Oyster Farming
The challenges and passions of oyster farming in the Bassin d'Arcachon. Different aspects of the trade are presented, from the cultivation and sale of oysters to growing problems such as the decline in the number of producers, the theft of oysters and the consequences of climate change and pollution. The documentary also highlights the initiatives and resilience of those trying to preserve thi
Music and Power: Global Cultural Control
Many authoritarian regimes in various nations, such as Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan, manipulate pop music for political and propaganda purposes. In Russia, a viral song is perceived as a tool of the Kremlin, while in Iran, critical musicians face severe punishments, including the death penalty. Uzbekistan exercises tight control over artists through licensing and content censorship. These examples
Crisis and Transformations of Masculinity
Starting from the new Netflix mini series "Adolescence", this episode critically explores the concept of masculinity, analysing how it has evolved historically and how it is perceived today.The discussion touches on the alleged ‘crisis of masculinity’, social pressures on men, and the harmful consequences of gender stereotypes, including violence against women. This episode examines how
The Mediterranean Secret: Health, Longevity and Taste
Crete, considered to be one of the cradles of the Mediterranean diet, has been overtaken by unhealthy Western eating habits and now has alarmingly high obesity rates, particularly among children. Yet it was on this island, and in the rest of the Mediterranean basin, that American doctor Ancel Keys discovered after the war the ideal diet to protect against the cardiovascular disease that was ravagi
Does the Perfect Encryption Exist?
We've always been looking for the perfect code to make our personal information 100% secure. But there's a catch: even the most secure key only remains secure until it is decrypted. The quantum computer is a major source of concern in this respect. It could soon decode current encryption systems, making all our digital data public.
Super Seniors: Agile Minds, Active Bodies
A study of the ‘super-old’, individuals in their eighties or older with exceptionally high cognitive abilities comparable to those of much younger people. Through interviews and medical assessments, the active lives and physical and mental characteristics of some of these remarkable individuals in Germany are explored. The researchers seek to understand the secrets of their successful ageing, exam
Iceland's Vegetable Boom
Located very close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland is known for its harsh climate. And yet it's a vegetable paradise. The reason for this success? The volcanic underground heat that Iceland uses to heat its greenhouses. Some vegetable lovers go even further and forgo geothermal energy to grow vegetables outdoors.
Once upon a time, the Louvre Museum
The tumultuous history of the Paris museum and its fabulous collections, reflecting the destiny of France and Europe, through close-ups of iconic works. How did the Louvre become the world's largest and most visited universal museum? Frédéric Wilner (Léonard de Vinci - Le chef-d'oeuvre redécouvert), with the help of specialists - historians, curators, and also Jean-Luc Martinez, Laurence des Cars'
Concorde: Myth, Flight and Tragic Endings
For thirty years, it soared over the Atlantic at the speed of a speeding bullet. The only supersonic civil transport success story in history, Concorde was a true technical miracle. This is the fascinating story of the elegant supersonic airliner's tragic fate.Landing in New York earlier than they had left London or Paris (due to the time difference), Concorde passengers had the illusion of fl
Fashion: Apocalypse or Reinvention?
Accusations rain down on the fashion world: ecocide, overproduction, waste, racism... How can we reinvent a particularly amoral system?
Less Work for a Better Work?
From one generation to the next, our relationship with work has changed profoundly in Europe. Although we are working longer throughout our lives, the length of the working week has fallen considerably. Several countries, such as Germany, are experimenting with a 4-day week. But what impact does this have on productivity? And what are the differences between European countries?
A World Government: Reality, Fiction and the Future of Humanity
Climate disasters, global inequalities, the threat of a third world war... Wouldn't it be reassuring if a central international government were to tackle all these problems? That was the idea behind the creation of the United Nations.In its current form, however, the UN is incapable of responding effectively to the major challenges of the 21st century. Is humanity ready for world government? If so
Dynamics of the Continents: Past, Present and Future
A huge planetary upheaval is taking place before our very eyes: the continents are continually moving, albeit very slowly, a sign that the Earth is constantly evolving over the long term. Over the last few decades, scientists have gained a better understanding of what is at stake in this incessant tectonic cycle, which should lead to the current continents forming a supercontinent, Amasia. A rathe
Japan and the Art of Zen Gardens
A major centre of Zen and meditation, Japan is also the cradle of an art of gardening that is respected the world over. We will discuss about Zen garden master Shunmyo Masuno, who set up his landscape architecture company in an annex of the Buddhist temple where he is a monk, in Yokohama. He designs spaces that express the idea of perfection, reflecting his spiritual quest.
Digital Immortality: AI, Memory and Mourning
Michael Bommer is a 61-year-old businessman suffering from terminal cancer. Wanting to allow his family to interact with him after his death, he trains an artificial intelligence to immortalise his personality. But can a virtual avatar really preserve the memory of a departed loved one?
Epigenetics: Can we Optimise our Genes?
Our genes determine many of our characteristics: our build, our height, the colour of our eyes or our predisposition to music. Could it be possible to control the mechanisms that activate and inhibit our genes, as epigenetics seeks to do? Could this science soon free us from our determinisms and make us more intelligent or more musically gifted?
Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill: the Road to Yalta
In February 1945, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill met in the Crimean seaside resort of Yalta. A few months before the capitulation of Nazi Germany, the three great Allied leaders negotiated the fate of Europe, imposing their conditions as best they could. This conference, which lasted just a few days, was the fruit of long years of tumultuous diplomatic and personal relations between the three men
Does History End Up Repeating Itself?
Wars, pandemics, economic crises... so many times we look in the rear-view mirror and wonder if history is repeating itself. But what is really going on?In fact, certain geographical or psychological patterns favour the occurrence of similar events. But the stories we tell ourselves are no strangers to similar events either. Not to mention the tendency we sometimes have to believe that history rep
Journey to the Centre of the Earth: From Side to Side
In the age of rockets in space, what about the ground beneath our feet? The deeper we go into the bowels of the Earth, the less scientists know about what's there. How deep can we dig? And what do the depths hide? This episode plunges deep into the mysteries of science to find out almost everything.
The Resurrection of Extinct Species
Every year, thousands of animal species disappear. A mass extinction due to the destruction of their habitat or their extermination. What can science do about this dramatic phenomenon? Even if we protected certain animals more, we could not save all the threatened species. Not to mention those that have already disappeared! What if it were possible to resurrect the passenger pigeon, the dodo or th
How do Animals Respond to a Natural Disaster?
Faced with more frequent and violent natural disasters caused by climate change, flora and fauna are trying to adapt. Some species, such as sharks, which can sense the change in atmospheric pressure heralding the arrival of a hurricane, are moving away from the danger. Others learn to live with it, like curlews, which use the hot ash from erupting volcanoes in Papua New Guinea to incubate their eg
How Does Bluetooth Work?
A ton of your devices use Bluetooth to communicate wirelessly. But how does Bluetooth work?
Napoleon Beyond the Battlefield
Born in Corsica to a family of minor Italian nobility, he studied in France, where he became an officer in the artillery and then a general during the French Revolution. Having gained prestige and esteem thanks to his victories during the first Italian campaign, after the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799) he assumed power in France: He was First Consul from November of that year unt
All You Need To Know About Subway Systems
From the first underground steam railways in London to modern electrical systems, this episode traces the technological progress and the challenges faced. It examines how cities such as New York, Paris and Tokyo have dealt with overcrowding and the need for innovations such as escalators and efficient maps.
What Was God Like for Albert Einstein?
Albert Einstein's perspectives on God, religion and the universe, tracing the evolution of his thought from early family influences to his conception of a ‘cosmic spirituality.’
How the String Theory is the Theory of Everything
In physics, string theory is a theoretical framework in which the point-like particles of particle physics are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings. String theory describes how these strings propagate through space and interact with each other. On distance scales larger than the string scale, a string acts like a particle, with its mass, charge, and other properties determined by the
How The Space Shuttle Worked
The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS), taken from the 1969 plan led by U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew for a system of reusable spacecraft where it was the o
The End Of The Universe
One of the possible ends of the universe is the ‘Big freeze’, namely a continuous expansion coupled with a slow cooling during which all matter would end up disintegrating. But other scenarios are also conceivable, such as that of a great collapse, the ‘Big crunch’. Or that of a universe expanding so rapidly that it ends up tearing itself apart under the effect of increasingly violent forces: the
Am I My Brain?
For the past thirty years or so, the brain has been all the rage. We could explain everything by brain mechanisms. Not only how we see and how we speak, but also how we think and how we make mistakes, and even why people eat fat, are lazy, fail at school or vote left. Knowledge of the brain could lead to progress not only in medicine, but also in education, public policy, management and self-impro
A Salary For Life
I sometimes wonder what I would do if I were an income-only earner. If I had money coming in every month, no matter what. Would I still work, if only for the need for social recognition? Or would I take the opportunity to do something completely different? Travelling, reading, drinking coffee on a terrace. It's hard to know... It's quite dizzying to imagine a world where we would be free f
The Stone Age Diet
What did man's ancestors eat? How did they prepare their food? How did their food contribute to their evolution and their anatomical and cognitive development?
Does Quantum Physics Change Our Reality?
Our universe is made up of two worlds: the one we can see, and the microscopic world of quanta made up of the very smallest particles. In this world, particles can be in two places at once and teleportation is possible.
The Importance of Friends
Friendships are unique. Some begin in childhood and last for many years. What influence do these relationships have on the mental health of young people? How have they changed with the advent of social networks?
Regain Power Over Your Daily Life
You may be like many others, feeling guilty about buying trainers made in China, bananas from Costa Rica or a smartphone assembled in the worst possible conditions, but without really knowing how to do things differently. Whether it's what we eat, where we live, or where the clothes we wear come from, we realise that the most basic things in our lives are beyond our control.By discovering the
Stress: an Enemy or an Ally?
Between stress and people, it's anything but true love. According to the WHO, 85% of us would prefer to be free of this ‘disease of the 21st century’.However, research tells us that it is not stress that makes us ill, but the way we manage it. We might even need more of it, as long as it's good stress! That would then awaken our superpowers...
How Do Babies Work?
For some, children are frail creatures incapable of understanding the world. For others, they are our superiors, because they have mastered things that adults have long forgotten.Regardless of how you look at it, the differences are real. So what is the truth of the matter? Are children beings apart? And how can we understand them better?
The Power of Maps
Why do so many world maps place Europe at the centre? Why not Australia? And why is the north always at the top?Maps may not be as neutral as you might think.
Is Pain Necessary?
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.
Do We Need God?
Religious faith is in decline in Europe, and yet 70% of human beings in the world believe in the existence of one or many deities. Do human beings need God? Are we homo religious rather than homo sapiens?
Venice: How to Build a Floating City
Have you ever wondered how Venice, a city built on water, became one of the most powerful and wealthy cities in history?In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary story of Venice, from its humble beginnings as a refuge for Roman citizens fleeing the Huns, to its rise as a medieval engineering marvel. Discover how the Venetians transformed a muddy lagoon into a thriving metropolis with no roads,
The Eiffel Tower and its Challenges
The Eiffel Tower (/ˈaɪfəl/ EYE-fəl; French: Tour Eiffel [tuʁ ɛfɛl]) is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889.
The Evolution of Sewers and Toilets
Using archive and expert interviews, this episode explores the fascinating evolution of sewers and the flush toilet.From ancient rudimentary sewer systems dating back to 2600 BC to high-tech Japanese toilets of the digital age, the show charts the key events in the history of sewers and toilets, whilst also focussing on how modern approaches to sanitation vary across the globe.
The Global Economy is a Pyramid Scheme
There was a time when one earner could support an entire family. However, due to escalating costs in the 1970s, it became necessary for wives to enter the workforce. By the 1990s, even two incomes were insufficient, leading families to abandon savings. By the 2000s, with both partners working and no savings, families began borrowing well beyond their means to cope with inflation.
Can We Sleep Less and Still Be Functional?
We spend a third of our lives sleeping. But do we really need those eight hours of sleep a day? Does that leave us feeling great and in a good mood? Or could we spread our hours of sleep throughout the day so that two or three hours would be enough?
The Tardigrade: The Indistructible Animal
Tardigrades (/ˈtɑːrdɪɡreɪdz/), known colloquially as water bears or moss piglets, are a phylum of eight-legged segmented micro-animals. They were first described by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who called them Kleiner Wasserbär 'little water bear'. In 1776, the Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani named them Tardigrada, which means 'slow walker'.
North Korea: Life Under Kim's Regime
Life in North Korea still holds many secrets.
How do people live in this country that is cut off from the rest of the world? We take you on a fascinating tour de force through gyms, riding clubs, water parks, schools, and sports academies.
The Greatest Riddles in History
Archaeologists unearth ancient tombs and embark on underwater expeditions. The search brings us to Ancient Egypt, to Attila, the King of the Huns, and to the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Spanning everything – from historical figures to lost relics and modern urban legends.
How much truth is there to them?
The Mega-Cities that Could Save The World
According to Australian sustainability researcher Xuemei Bai, "urban life must save the planet!" Climate economist Gernot Wagner says suburbs are "climate killers," with CO2 emissions two to three times higher than cities or rural areas.
Over two-thirds of the world's population is predicted to live in cities by 2050. While urban measures like building renovations or elect
Why Do We Pay Taxes? (Focus on France)
The history of tax returns is also the story of how the state slowly became more centralised and more controlling.
From historical documents to the most contemporary and computerised forms, this is the history of income tax returns (and tax evasion).
Less is More: Really?
Tidying, clearing out, decluttering: social media is awash with advice on how to simplify or improve your life by living with less things.
Minimalists want to cut down on worldly possessions and even people, getting rid of toxic people in their lives. But does minimalism make them happier?
The History of The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Romans conquered most of this during the Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of effective sole rule in 27 BC.
The western empire collapsed in 476 AD, but the eastern empire lasted until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
The Art of Well Sleeping
How do you get a healthy, restful night's sleep?
Why do we work?
We use the word work every day. In the morning, we think about a dream that's been working on us. We work on our emotions at the shrink's and of course we go to work every day to pay the rent. But sometimes when we're at work and spending hours in long, pointless meetings, we feel that we haven't had time to really work.
So what are we talking about? Everyone understands the word
The History of the Passport
The history of the passport, from its ancient use as a simple passage permit to its evolution into an instrument of state control and identity definition.
We analyse how the passport reflects the interplay between power, migration and border control, highlighting inequalities in global freedom of movement and its relevance today, including in relation to issues such as immigration and social excl
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre (/ɛər/ AIR; originally published as Jane Eyre: An Autobiography) is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The first American edition was published the following year by Harper & Brothers of New York.
Jane Eyre is a bildungsroman that follows the experiences of
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
The book starts with comparing the two main ways to influence human behaviour: manipulation and inspiration. Sinek argues that inspiration is the more powerful and sustainable of the two.
The book primarily discusses the significance of leadership and purpose to succeed in life and business. Sinek highlights the importance of taking the risk and going against the status-quo to find solutions to g
Napoleonic Wars: The Invasion of Russia
The French invasion of Russia, also known as the Russian campaign (French: Campagne de Russie), the Second Polish War, and in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812 (Russian: Оте́чественная война́ 1812 го́да, romanized: Otéchestvennaya voyná 1812 góda), was initiated by Napoleon with the aim of compelling the Russian Empire to comply with the continental blockade of the United Kingdom. Widely studied
How do The Oscars Work
The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry.
They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements as assessed by the Academy's voting membership. The Oscars are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards i
Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss
After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Chris Voss joined the FBI, where his career as a hostage negotiator brought him face-to-face with a range of criminals, including bank robbers and terrorists. Reaching the pinnacle of his profession, he became the FBI’s lead international kidnapping negotiator.
Never Split the Difference distills the Voss method, revealing the skills that m
The Normandy Landings (D-Day)
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day (after the military term), it is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, an
If the Universe Expands, What is it Expanding Into?
The expansion of the universe is the increase in distance between gravitationally unbound parts of the observable universe with time. It is an intrinsic expansion, so it does not mean that the universe expands "into" anything or that space exists "outside" it.
To any observer in the universe, it appears that all but the nearest galaxies (which are bound to each other by gravit
Stalin and The Red Terror
This conversation contrasts the public image of Stalin as a national hero with the reality of his brutal rule, characterised by grand modernisation projects, but also by artificially provoked famines, the Gulag, and the great purges. The aim is to highlight the propaganda used to maintain power, the systematic repression of opponents, and the extremely high human cost of his regime. Finally, Stal
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