Is DIY culture and home improvement linked to the ideals of John Ruskin?
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David Gauntlett, author of Making is Connecting believes it is and he contends that bloggers and online enthusiasts are the inheritors of Britain's creative culture - making communities through their craft in the same way that medieval stone masons used to do.
But is posting a skate-boarding dog on YouTube really comparable to carving a gargoyle on a gothic cathedral?
The sociologist Richard Sennett joins Laurie Taylor and David Gauntlett to discuss making things, creating communities and what counts as craftsmanship.
This edition of Thinking Allowed is a co-production between the BBC and The Open University. You can hear it on BBC Radio 4 at 4pm on Wednesday 27th April, 2011 and again at a quarter past midnight on Monday morning, 2nd May. Further broadcast details, podcast and listen again links are at bbc.co.uk.
- Read a transcript of the crafting and community discussion
- Read a transcript of a discussion on foxhunting
More on craft and DIY
Introducing Richard Sennett
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The polymath Richard Sennett offers new ways of thinking about how society produces, consumes and the way we work now. Read more : Introducing Richard Sennett
Making trouble? Craft values and the new capitalism
The Open University / Karen Parker
Read more : Making trouble? Craft values and the new capitalism
DIY RIP?
Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com
As more people choose to get someone in, rather than getting their hands dirty, is it time up for DIY? Read more : DIY RIP?
More Thinking Allowed
OU on the BBC: Thinking Allowed
Updated content
BBC
Thinking Allowed puts the focus on the latest thinking about how society works. Read exclusive academic insights every week as each show airs Read more : OU on the BBC: Thinking Allowed
Welcome to Thinking Allowed with The Open University
BBC
Professor Laurie Taylor welcomes Thinking Allowed listeners to OpenLearn. Read more : Welcome to Thinking Allowed with The Open University
Why is The Open University Thinking Allowed?
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Wendy Maples explains why she's delighted that The Open University is continuing its relationship with Radio 4's exploration of the social sciences. Read more : Why is The Open University Thinking Allowed?
OU on the BBC: Thinking Allowed - About the series
BBC
Thinking Allowed, the long-running BBC Radio 4 series, is teaming up for a series of specials with the Open University Read more : OU on the BBC: Thinking Allowed - About the series
Thinking Allowed From bbc.co.uk
BBC
Listen again – and explore more deeply – with Thinking Allowed on BBC Radio 4. Read more : Thinking Allowed From bbc.co.uk
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