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David Runciman

The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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A bi-weekly podcast exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, science to fiction.

Latest episode

Live Film Special: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut w/Beeban Kidron

29 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Regent Street Cinema in London: David talks to film director and campaigner Beeban Kidron about the 1999 film-length version of South Park. In among all the swearing and stupidity is a serious satire of censorship, moral panics and political manipulation. How did a film from the 20th century see so sharply what was coming in the 21st? And how does the satire look now in the age of big tech and social media madness? Plus philosopher Paul Sagar gives us his grand theory of South Park.

You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com

Next time: Now & Then with Robert Saunders – The General Strike @100

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More episodes

Talking … Peter Mandelson and New Labour w/Helen Thompson

26 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

PPF+: A Taste Of What You’ve Been Missing (Taster 2)

24 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

PPF+: A Taste Of What You’ve Been Missing (Taster 1)

23 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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