Standard Time

While secularism brings significant advantages, it can be pushed to harmful extremes and in some cases used to disguise racism. But religion, too, is not exempt from that.

Loneliness is a growing health crisis, and gender norms make men more vulnerable to digitized isolation. An ever-more frictionless online experience erodes young people’s capacity to tolerate frustration and establish lasting ties.

European railways are often praised for their comprehensive continental coverage, yet it frequently falls short of meeting the evolving needs of the public. This episode of Standard Time discusses public investment and corruption, and how railway systems could transform.

Veganism is rising in countries with the most meat-heavy diets, especially amongst the young. How did this change come about? Standard Time dives deep into the meat-free diet and how an agricultural transition could benefit farmers.

Nine years ago, a slim majority of UK voters chose to leave the European Union – without a clear plan or the tools to make it happen. Five years after the de facto departure, relations are slowly being repaired, driven in part by the increasingly unpredictable political climate in the United States.

Since the collapse of Novi Sad’s train station in November, student-led protests have erupted across Serbia, inspiring a nationwide movement against corruption.

As capital consolidates, culture recedes, funding vanishes, access narrows. The question persists: why fund culture at all? Cultural managers from Austria, Hungary and Serbia discuss.

Outrage and moral panic have become driving forces in global politics – but what role should emotions play in democratic governance? On the new episode of Standard Time, researchers examine the influence of moral emotions and their implications for political life.

Journalism may be touted as a heroic pursuit, but the working conditions undermine young talent and career prospects are few and far between. Journalists talk panic attacks in the editorial rooms, early career experiences and the transformation of their profession.

Steady access to safe, drinkable water is still a privilege, and Europe is struggling with ever-worsening droughts. The new episode of the Standard Time talk show discusses chemical hazards, eco guerrillas, and why we can never have enough pelicans.

Europe produces 5 tons of waste per capita each year and exports a significant portion of it for other countries to handle. Can we reduce, reuse, and recycle our way out of this? New talk show episode premiers today.

The digital world we navigate today was built on centuries of technological innovation by librarians and archivists. The unprecedented access to online information now compels these institutions to evolve. In this discussion, librarians and a data steward from Helsinki, Vienna, and Pécs explore the challenges and opportunities of this transformation.

Five years after the COVID-19 swept the world off its feet and many are, understandably, reluctant to discuss it. Yet, the fallout stays with us, academically, economoically, and in so many ways.

Governments are scrambling to stop the sharp decline in birth rates across the developed world; the pronatalist policies on offer don’t seem to have found a solution. They do, however, disproportionately target women, fuel culture wars and some very gendered propaganda. This is our International Women’s Day edition of the Standard Time talk show.

Ukraine faces its greatest diplomatic challenge yet, as the Trump administration succumbs to disinformation and blames them for the Russian aggression. How can they navigate the storm?

Some governments use legal restrictions to battle social media use; others leave families and individuals to self-regulate. Who’s responsible for young people’s addiction problems?