84. Absurdity on Toast

A morning routine. A cup of tea brewing. Toast almost ready. It’s Monday, and a young man is getting ready to leave for work, when there’s a knock at the door. Two police officers stand outside with news that will change his life - he’s under arrest.

He’s stunned. There must be a mistake. What has he done? “I’m afraid we can’t share that information yet,” one of the officers says. He’s never been in trouble with the law. But now he is - and no one will tell him why.

Matthew Syed invites us to confront the absurd - the moments when life stops making sense, when there’s nothing to grasp or explain. He asks whether we have grown used to the absurdity woven into our lives and whether there is a way to push against it.

With author Michael Foley, Professor of Anthropology Nina Holm Vohnsen (University of Aarhus) and Mathijs Bal, Psychologist and Professor of Management (University of Lincoln).

With special thanks to Tom Wright and Joe Savage.

Presenter: Matthew Syed

Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten

Editor: Katherine Godfrey

Sound Design and Mix: Mark Pittam

Production Coordinator: Joe Savage

Theme music by Ioana Selaru

A Novel production for BBC Radio 4