AntiSocial

BBC Radio 4
AntiSocial
Latest episode

173 episodes

  • AntiSocial

    Air conditioning and the environment

    07/07/2026 | 5 mins.
    As UK summers get hotter and heatwaves become more frequent, more people are considering air conditioning as a way to keep cool. But how does air conditioning actually work, and in our efforts to cool down are we harming the planet? Chris Warburton speaks to Rob Gross, director of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) and Professor of Energy Policy and Technology at Imperial College London.
  • AntiSocial

    Is air conditioning irresponsible?

    03/07/2026 | 53 mins.
    The recent record-breaking heatwave prompts calls for more air conditioning in the UK, but some argue this could actually make the planet even hotter and obscures the reality of climate change. We find out how and why AC has become such a hot topic and hear what impact it has on climate change. Some say aircon should be a last resort - we hear what other measures people can adopt to keep their homes cooler. And we look back to the long, hot summer of 1976 and find out whether the UK really did just keep calm and carry on.
    Presenter: Chris Warburton
    Production team: Simon Tulett, Lucy Sheppard, and Mhairi MacKenzie
    Studio manager: Hal Haines
    Production coordinator: Janet Staples
    Editor: Penny Murphy
  • AntiSocial

    What is 'queerbaiting'?

    19/05/2026 | 6 mins.
    Harry Styles is regularly accused of 'queerbaiting' - from his clothing to his music videos. Actors in the TV shows 'Heated Rivalry' and 'Heartstopper' have faced similar allegations. And people online are debating whether it's okay to make these sorts of claims. But what does 'queerbaiting' mean? Adam Fleming speaks to Justin Bengry, who specialises in Queer History at King's College London.
  • AntiSocial

    Queerbaiting

    15/05/2026 | 53 mins.
    Harry Styles' new music video prompts allegations of queerbaiting: some say he's appropriating queer culture to sell his music; others argue it's a welcome rewriting of the rules of masculinity. We explore what queerbaiting means, where the term came from, and ask whether it's ever OK to accuse an individual of doing it. The allegation has been levelled at a range of stars, films and TV shows - we take a look at some high-profile examples. Plus, why is there such a large female audience for gay male romance?
    Presenter: Adam Fleming
    Production team: Annabel Deas, Simon Tulett and Ellie House
    Studio manager: Jack Wilfan
    Production coordinator: Janet Staples
    Editor: Penny Murphy
  • AntiSocial

    What is Michael Jackson accused of?

    12/05/2026 | 7 mins.
    The new biopic about Michael Jackson has come under fire for not including any of the allegations made against him, but what exactly has the singer been accused of? Rachel McGrath, a freelance culture journalist, gives Adam Fleming a timeline of the alleged victims, the cases, and the outcomes.
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About AntiSocial
Peace talks for the culture wars. In an era of polarisation, propaganda and pile-ons, AntiSocial offers an alternative: understanding, facts, and respect. Each week, Adam Fleming takes on a topic that's generating conflict on social media, blogs, talk shows and phone-ins and helps you work out what the arguments are really about.
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