Introduction

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Mud larking involves looking for fragments of history in the mud. The docklands, on the banks of the river in far east london, were home to a whaling fleet throughout the 17 hundreds. There are vestiges from london's roll as a global port, like those whalebones and hindoo carvings. But also there are really old bits of everyday life, like seramic tobacco pipes that victorians would smoke through and then drop into the river. And we talk about the staying power of games, wit our gaming critic, tom faber.

This week, we look at two things that connect us to human history. First, How To Spend It editor Jo Ellison takes us mudlarking — sifting through low tide for treasure — to find remnants of ordinary life from hundreds of years ago. Licensed mudlark Lara Maiklem teaches us how. Then we explore the staying power of games: why do we love them? Why have we been playing some for more than 7,000 years? Our gaming critic Tom Faber joins us to discuss.

--------------

If you want to explore the FT, use this link for special discounts for listeners: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast

--------------

Want to say hi? We love hearing from you. Email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap.

--------------

Links and mentions from the episode:

– This week’s How To Spend It cover story and photoshoot: ‘Tide and seek: the hidden treasures of low tide’ https://www.ft.com/content/44a1a5be-d0de-4a5a-a02b-1386e0b7c84f

–Lara Maiklem’s books are called ‘Mudlarking’ and ‘A Field Guide to Mudlarking’

–Last time Jo went mudlarking was with jeweller Ruth Tomlinson for this November 2021 article: ‘Why I’m throwing my jewellery into the Thames’: https://www.ft.com/content/aacc19ef-d397-4c15-b943-a029a4954ca1

–A great piece Lilah recommends on mudlarking by novelist Daniel Wallace: https://gardenandgun.com/feature/daniel-wallace-explores-the-art-of-mudlarking/

–Tom Faber on the transformative power of games: https://www.ft.com/content/c2f8b5b6-1f30-48cc-a098-71484ded9a00

–Tom also wrote a great piece this week about the Cameo app and celebrity culture: https://on.ft.com/3FIF7kF

--------------

Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design is by Breen Turner.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.