Kathryn Kenney, a book and paper conservator at the Folger Shakespeare Library, dives into the fascinating world of preserving centuries-old texts. She explains the intricacies of maintaining Shakespeare's rare folios and shares eco-friendly conservation methods, like using bats to control pests. The discussion also touches on why our brains crave stories, the unique experience of those with aphantasia who can't visualize narratives, and the impact of storytelling on empathy. Plus, they explore the whimsical concept of phantom islands and the role of fiction in addressing climate change.
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insights INSIGHT
Oxytocin Fuels Story Empathy
Oxytocin, the 'love hormone,' boosts empathy by building trust through narratives.
It motivates pro-social behaviors like charity after emotionally engaging stories.
insights INSIGHT
Aphantasia and Visualization
Some people have aphantasia, the inability to visualize images in their mind when awake.
They dream in images but don't experience distress from fearful imagery as vividly as others.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Bats Protect Portuguese Libraries
Two libraries in Portugal keep bats inside to naturally control insect pests.
Bats eat bugs that threaten old books, protecting the materials without harsh chemicals.
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In this iconic children's book, Max, dressed in his wolf suit, causes chaos at home and is sent to bed without supper. His bedroom transforms into a jungle, and he sails to an island where he encounters the Wild Things. Max tames the creatures and becomes their king, but eventually returns home, missing his mother's love. The book is praised for its honest treatment of children's emotions, particularly anger and the need for parental love. It has been adapted into a movie and an opera and remains a beloved classic in children's literature[1][2][4].
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
In Search of Lost Time
Swann's Way
Stephane Heuet
Marcel Proust
This graphic adaptation of Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' presents the first volume, 'Swann's Way', in a compressed and visually engaging format. The adaptation, likened to a 'piano reduction of an orchestral score', retains the fundamental architecture and themes of Proust’s work, including time, art, and the elusiveness of memory. Stéphane Heuet's detailed illustrations bring to life the narrator Marcel's childhood memories in Combray, capturing the humor, wit, and memorable characters of Proust's original text. This adaptation is designed to make Proust's work more accessible while maintaining its essence and beauty[3][5][4].
A Suitable Boy
Vikram Seth
Silent Spring
Rachel Carson
Published in 1962, 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson is a seminal work in environmental science. The book documents the harmful effects of DDT and other pesticides on the environment, including their impact on bird populations, other wildlife, and human health. Carson argued that these substances should be called 'biocides' due to their broad impact on ecosystems. The book was serialized in 'The New Yorker' before its full publication and generated significant public and scientific debate. It led to a reversal in U.S. pesticide policy, the banning of DDT for agricultural use in 1972, and the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. Carson's work challenged the prevailing attitudes towards scientific progress and human control over nature, advocating for responsible and careful use of pesticides and highlighting the need for environmental stewardship.
Much ado was made about a cancelled auction of an ultra-rare set of Shakespeare’s folios, which could have fetched millions of dollars.
This headline – along with Shakespeare being one of the world’s most well-known playwrights – inspired the Unexpected Elements team to delve into the science of stories.
First up, we find out why your brain loves a tale. We then discover that some people can’t see images in their mind when they read, and reveal the impact this could have.
Shakespeare’s folios are almost 400 years old, but how have they survived that long? We get on the line with Kathryn Kenney, a book and paper conservator, to find out how she keeps precious books safe.
We also find out about a disappearing island, whether climate change needs a new narrative and if you could eat books to survive.
All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Camilla Mota and Tristan Ahtone
Producer: Margaret Sessa Hawkins, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Imaan Moin and Minnie Harrop
Studio Manager: Rhys Morris
Unexpected Elements 
