THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CONSUMERISM
World Service, 9.06am, 1.06pm, 7.06pm, 1.06am
A grandiose title for a down-to-earth investigation by Mike Embley into what is bought and why in a quartet of countries. He begins in Japan. The second biggest economy on earth has a population that, despite economic decline in the past few years, continues to enjoy buying things so much that as disposable income has shrunk, so has the birthrate. Last year’s rate was the lowest on record. Why? Could it be that, with less money to go round, the Japanese are opting to spend it on themselves rather than bringing up babies? In later programmes Embley goes to Nigeria, which contains the highest proportion of happy people; Romania, where people are the most miserable; and Cuba.
NATURE
Radio 4, 9pm
It is small but perfectly formed. Everything about it is designed to keep it alive in one of the hardest environments on Earth. The Arctic wolf is also spectacularly difficult to find, so you will understand why Justin Anderson’s joy is so great when he tracks down a pair that he forgets the frostbite he suffered in the search.