Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global, with Laura Spinney

Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global, with Laura Spinney

What if a single ancient language lay at the root of nearly half of the world’s spoken tongues? In today’s episode, acclaimed science writer and journalist Laura Spinney joins us to discuss her new book Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global. In Proto, Spinney takes us deep into the mystery of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) - a prehistoric language that no one alive has heard, yet whose echoes can still be found in words spoken from Ireland to India. From the English word star, to Icelandic stjarna, to the Iranic stare - Spinney reveals how echoes of a prehistoric language still ripple across continents and centuries. Along the way, she meets the archaeologists, linguists, and geneticists working to uncover the origins of this linguistic Big Bang - and what it tells us about human history, identity, and movement. Joining Spinney in discussion is global historian Caroline Dodds Pennock, to retrace the paths of nomads, monks, warriors, and kings across the Eurasian steppe, the Caucasus, the Silk Roads, and beyond. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jaksot(1505)

Implementing and scaling AI agents in business

Implementing and scaling AI agents in business

Many organisations are experimenting with AI and AI agents. But far fewer are seeing real, measurable impact. The challenge isn’t ambition, it’s readiness. As we explored in the first episode of this ...

29 Tammi 35min

Happy Mind, Happy Life, with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Happy Mind, Happy Life, with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Happiness is good for your health. That’s the argument of Dr Rangan Chatterjee, one of the most influential doctors in the UK and host of Europe’s biggest health podcast Feel Better, Live More. Throug...

28 Tammi 1h 26min

Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part Two)

Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part Two)

A record £2.9 billion was invested in British AI companies last year as Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to make the UK an AI superpower. But according to influential business leaders such as Jensen ...

26 Tammi 35min

Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part One)

Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part One)

A record £2.9 billion was invested in British AI companies last year as Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to make the UK an AI superpower. But according to influential business leaders such as Jensen ...

25 Tammi 36min

How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part Two)

How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part Two)

Do you feel as if there is often too much to do in too little time? We are all familiar with overwhelm – an unsettling sense that it is just impossible to keep up with the demands of everyday life. I...

23 Tammi 39min

How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part One)

How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part One)

Do you feel as if there is often too much to do in too little time? We are all familiar with overwhelm – an unsettling sense that it is just impossible to keep up with the demands of everyday life. I...

21 Tammi 35min

Is Greece Becoming the New Borderland Between East and West? With Sean Matthews

Is Greece Becoming the New Borderland Between East and West? With Sean Matthews

How does Greece’s Byzantine and Ottoman past shape its future? In this episode, Helen Carr speaks to journalist and author Sean Matthews about Greece’s shifting geopolitical role and alliances. Caug...

19 Tammi 43min

An Evening with Alan Davies (Part Two)

An Evening with Alan Davies (Part Two)

Alan Davies is one of the UK’s most-loved comedians best known for starring in the BBC series Jonathan Creek, and for his regular appearances on comedy quiz show QI since 2003.  In September 2025 he ...

18 Tammi 36min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
tervo-halme
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
linda-maria
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
rikosmyytit
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
viela-yksi-sivu
rss-uusi-juttu
rss-aika-ankkuri
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat