BBC Ideas

Short films for curious minds

New on BBC Ideas

New on BBC Ideas

Toilets: Are you a squatter or a sitter?

Did you know the average time it takes to pass a bowel movement is shorter if you're squatting rather than sitting? Josie Peters explores why.

Be inspired by science

Made with the Royal Society

Made with the Royal Society

An easy guide to Boolean logic

Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that are most game-changing. And arguably that’s the case with Boolean logic.

Latest videos

What if we wiped out all the world's mosquitoes? Video
Attribution
Royal Society
How not to get struck by lightning. Video
Attribution
Royal Society
Can we reflect away the Sun's rays to slow down climate change? Video, 00:05:05
Attribution
Royal Society
What are 'forever chemicals' and are they bad for us? Video, 00:04:15
Attribution
Royal Society
A very short guide to Bayesian reasoning. Video
Attribution
Royal Society

Made with The Open University

Made with The Open University

An introvert’s guide to job interviews

Job interviews can be daunting, especially if you’re an introvert. Discover practical advice on how to prepare, manage your nerves and make the most of your strengths.

Latest videos

The slave trader's daughter who rejected slavery. Video
Attribution
The Open University
Smart hacks to accelerate your language learning. Video
Attribution
The Open University
Would you want to be cared for by robots when you're older? Video, 00:04:53
Attribution
The Open University
Three myths about emergency contraception. Video, 00:04:44
Attribution
The Open University
What does it take to be a prison officer? Video
Attribution
The Open University

Expand your mind with the University of Oxford

Expand your mind with the University of Oxford

Why milk is weird

Is milk good for us? When did we start drinking it? How common is lactose intolerance? Here are five facts about milk.

More on this

The 24 rabbits that (nearly) destroyed a continent. Video, 00:05:22
Attribution
University of Oxford
Can visualisation help you achieve a better future? Video, 00:04:32
Attribution
University of Oxford
How to make sure gaming is good for your mental health. Video, 00:04:40
Attribution
University of Oxford
Is it OK to track your kids? Video, 00:05:36
Attribution
University of Oxford
The surprising benefits of exercising with friends. Video, 00:04:47
Attribution
University of Oxford

Our latest shorts

Made with UK Research and Innovation

Made with UK Research and Innovation

Is the internet broken?

75% of the world is online, and in many ways it makes all our lives better. But faced with AI slop, misinformation and toxicity, many people are asking: Is there a better way?

More on this

Endometriosis: 'I thought I was dying' Video
Attribution
UKRI
What's really going on in your gut? Video
Attribution
UKRI
Why listening to birdsong is good for you. Video, 00:01:35
Attribution
UKRI
What happens when your mum goes to prison? Video
Attribution
UKRI
Can (and should) we cure blindness? Video
Attribution
UKRI

BBC Ideas brain teasers

Health and nutrition

What's the weather like on other planets?

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence

How to turbocharge your AI skills

Started using AI chatbots, but not sure you're getting the best out of them? This is the guide for you.

More on this

How to get started with AI chatbots. Video
Attribution
The Open University
How AI can improve your life - at home and work. Video
Attribution
The Open University
Can you spot an AI scam? Video
Attribution
The Open University
Should your kids be using AI in their homework? Video
Attribution
The Open University

A (very) short guide to the Universe

Save for later...

Save for later...

Why you're probably tying your shoelaces wrong

Shoelaces. You've been tying them for years. So why do they still come undone?

Inside Our Minds

Inside Our Minds

'My thoughts are like fish in a pond'

For Suiki, dyslexia is not just about difficulty reading and spelling, it affects many aspects of her life.

More on this

'I just thought I was rubbish at a lot of things' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'I'm not 'just' a builder' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'Frustration is a huge part of my life with ADHD' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
I’m autistic – here’s why I decided to stop masking. Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'I have no voice, but so much to say' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer

Love and relationships

Supporting your wellbeing

Mind management

Mind management

What is flow and how can it help you achieve more?

How tennis players achieve 'flow' - and a few tips on how it can help you too

Latest videos

Two words that can help you tackle nerves like an elite athlete. Video, 00:01:21
Attribution
The Open University
Can introverts make better leaders? Video, 00:01:30
Attribution
The Open University
Why it can be so hard to change someone's mind. Video, 00:01:25
Attribution
The Open University
Stop multitasking - try 'monotasking' instead Video, 00:01:23
Attribution
The Open University
What's the point of humiliation? Video, 00:04:22
Attribution
The Open University

Nature and us

Sustainable thinking

How to talk with children about climate change. Video, 00:03:36
Attribution
The Open University
Posted
13 April 2023
The secrets of the deep ocean. Video, 00:04:26
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
25 May 2022
Should we put a price on nature? Video, 00:06:22
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
1 December 2022
Will flying ever be sustainable? Video, 00:06:09
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
29 March 2023
What if everyone in the world planted a tree? Video, 00:02:48
Attribution
BBC
Posted
26 February 2020

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