The last humanist: how Paul Gilroy became the most vital guide to our age of crisis

One of Britain’s most influential scholars has spent a lifetime trying to convince people to take race and racism seriously. Are we finally ready to listen?In 2000, the race equality thinktank the Runnymede Trust published a report about the “future of multi-ethnic Britain”. Launched by the Labour home secretary Jack Straw, it proposed ways to counter...

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From the archive: Operation Car Wash: Is this the biggest corruption scandal in history? – podcast

We are raiding the Audio Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.This week, from 2017: What began as an investigation into money laundering quickly turned into something much greater, uncovering a vast and intricate web of political and corporate racketeering. By Jonathan Watts Continue...

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The lost history of the electric car – and what it tells us about the future of transport

To every age dogged with pollution, accidents and congestion, the transport solution for the next generation seems obvious – but the same problems keep coming backIn the 1890s, the biggest cities of the western world faced a mounting problem. Horse-drawn vehicles had been in use for thousands of years, and it was hard to imagine life without them. But...

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Inside the mind of a murderer: the power and limits of forensic psychiatry – podcast

When I was called in to assess Seb, I needed to understand why he had committed such a horrendous crime. But first I had to get him to talk. By Taj Nathan Continue reading...

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Illusions of empire: Amartya Sen on what British rule really did for India – podcast

It is true that before British rule, India was starting to fall behind other parts of the world – but many of the arguments defending the Raj are based on serious misconceptions about India’s past, imperialism and history itself. By Amartya Sen Continue reading...

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Man v food: is lab-grown meat really going to solve our nasty agriculture problem?

If cellular agriculture is going to improve on the industrial system it is displacing, it needs to grow without passing the cost on to workers, consumers and the environmentAmericans will eat about 2bn chicken nuggets this year, give or take a few hundred million. This deep-fried staple is a way of profiting off the bits that are left after the breast,...

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From the archives: The life and death of Homaro Cantu, the genius chef who wanted to change the world – podcast

We are raiding the Audio Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors.This week, from 2018: How a homeless child grew up to become the most inventive chef in history. By Kieran Morris• Read the text version hereThis story contains references to suicide. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans...

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‘A lesson in loss, humility and absurdity’: how rhythmic gymnastics took over my childhood

When I was six, a chance encounter with rhythmic gymnastics – all ribbons, sequins and smiles – opened up a sublime, sometimes cruel new world. By 12, I had quit. What had it all meant?Every four years, the same argument plays out. The Olympics reminds the public of the existence of rhythmic gymnastics and the public scoffs at this ridiculous spectacle,...

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Did Brazil’s evangelical superstar have her husband killed? – podcast

Flordelis grew up in a Rio favela, but rose to fame after adopting more than 50 children, becoming a hugely successful gospel singer and winning a seat in congress. And now she is on trial for murde. By Tom Phillips Continue reading...

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Why every single statue should come down – podcast

Statues of historical figures are lazy, ugly and distort history. From Cecil Rhodes to Rosa Parks, let’s get rid of them all. By Gary Younge with additional reporting by Meghan Tinsley, Ruth Ramsden-Karelse, Chloe Peacock and Sadia Habib. Continue reading...

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