Water, Life's Universal Catalyst

It is well known that life on Earth depends on water. Some researchers believe that this molecule is predestined for this mission, thanks to its many unusual properties. What makes this mysterious substance, found throughout the universe, so unique?

Northern European countries are known for their long tradition of welfare: Norway, Sweden and Finland still share the defence of their social welfare model, but also the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. How can these two demands be reconciled? Three examples of sustainable architecture in Oslo, Skelleftea and Helsinki.

Various voices from different countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Poland, reflect on the trauma and legacy of the Second World War. Some express concern about Russia's attempt to monopolise the narrative of victory and use it to justify present actions, while others recall the atrocities of the conflict and the importance of not forgetting the past in order to prevent it from repeating itself.

Temperatures on the Svalbard archipelago, home to the world's northernmost population centers, are averaging five degrees higher in just 30 years. The “ice fjord” must now change its name, rain and rainbows are replacing snowfall, reindeer are not surviving, and the administrative capital Longyearbyen has become a study base for scientists from around the world.Kim Holmen, director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, sums up, “If we even magically eliminated all carbon dioxide emissions today, it would take 20-30 for the situation to return to normal.” Nowhere in the world have temperatures, for decades now, risen as much as in the Arctic Circle.

Drugs have a bad reputation; yet, scientists have long been convinced that the use of psychedelic substances can be (sometimes) beneficial. In an age when the consumption of ecstasy, LSD and other hallucinogens is about to be approved for therapeutic purposes, should we perhaps change our relationship with certain narcotics?

Would humans be able to breathe, construct buildings or obtain food on the moon? In short: could humanity ever actually inhabit our satellite?

The sources explore the human desire to abandon conventional society for a life perceived as more free and self-determined, illustrating both the romantic attraction of isolation in nature and the practical and psychological difficulties of such a choice. Through the experiences of individuals who have attempted this transition, a reflection emerges on the deep motivations that drive people to escape and on the unexpected consequences, highlighting how pre-existing problems often do not disappear. The media representation of these alternative lifestyles and the contrast with the reality of those who live them is also examined, finally touching on the theme of involuntary marginalisation and the fundamental need for social connection.

The texts provide a detailed account of the life and work of Jean-François Champollion, focusing on his journey to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. They highlight the crucial support of his older brother, Jacques-Joseph, in his learning and research. The sources describe the discovery of the Rosetta Stone and the competition with other scholars, culminating in Champollion's epoch-making success in 1822. His subsequent expedition to Egypt, the founding of Egyptology as a discipline and the last years of his life are also illustrated. In summary, they offer an in-depth look at Champollion and the birth of our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

This episode is about the controversial construction of the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail line (LGV), highlighting the protests and concerns of local residents in France and Italy regarding the environmental, social and economic impact of the project.

This episode traces the all-encompassing evolution of the railway, from its birth and its impact on industrialisation and 19th-century society, to the challenges posed by the automobile and the aeroplane in the 20th century. It highlights the technical innovations, social changes, global expansion and geopolitical role of the railway, including darker aspects such as its use during the Holocaust. Finally, it explores its renewed significance in the 21st century as a sustainable means of transport and discusses promising future technologies for guided transport.