Rebecca Stott says the idea of 'going down a rabbit hole' is often characterised as a bad thing - here, she makes the case for what's to be gained.
"These days we invariably use the phrase 'down the rabbit hole' to describe a negative experience...where people get lost, then become overwhelmed, ensnare themselves in conspiracy theories and can't get back out," she says.
"But I don't believe rabbit holes are bad in themselves. If we avoid them altogether we lose the chance to experience their joy and excitement."
She recalls her own experience of discovery - and tells the story of how Charles Darwin once spent eight years distracted by barnacles.
Producer: Sheila Cook Sound: Peter Bosher Production coordinator: Liam Morrey Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Proportional Representation and a New Politics
Amaryllis
Collecting Art
Lessons from Disaster Movies
Stay Weird, Britain
Donatello and a New Renaissance
The Art of Getting Lost
AI Agonistes
On Communal Living
Masculinity: From Durkheim to Andrew Tate
Prince Harry, Love, and Me
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
Nature's Pantomime
Turf, Babe and Me
The End of Winter
Chastity Belt Politics
On Being Tall
The End of the Line
Who Can Herd the Cats?
My Ever Growing Pile of Books
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The Modern West
Global News Podcast
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
The Infinite Monkey Cage
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins