Peter Conrad dissects the popular culture of his era, as French semiotician Roland Barthes did 60 years earlier in his Mythologies.
The 9/11 Museum
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining cultural icons of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the e 9/11 Museum.
10/24/2014 • 11 minutes, 39 seconds
The E-Reader
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the e-reader.
10/23/2014 • 12 minutes, 7 seconds
Celebrity Pets
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, celebrity pets.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 35 seconds
The Oyster Card
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the Oyster Card.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 3 seconds
Her Majesty the Queen
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining popular icons of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, Her Majesty the Queen.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 21 seconds
Flight MH370
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining pop cultural moments of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, missing flight MH370.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 22 seconds
Oscar Pistorius
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining pop culture icons of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, Oscar Pistorius.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 7 seconds
The E-Cigarette
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the e-cigarette.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 7 seconds
The Cronut
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Shard, to the Kardashians to today, the Cronut.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 15 seconds
The Kardashians
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut, to the Shard, to today's topic, the Kardashians.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 17 seconds
The Selfie
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut, to the Shard, to the Kardashians. Today he analyses the Selfie.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 2 seconds
The Shard
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut to the Kardashians. Today Conrad looks at that defining landmark of the London skyline The Shard.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 13 seconds
Screw-Top Wine Bottle
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut to the Shard, to the Kardashians. In this first programme Conrad turns his mind to an innovation Barthes would have abhorred: the screw top wine bottle.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 8 seconds
Nando's
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut, to the Shard, to the Kardashians. Today he looks at the ubiquitous home of piri piri chicken, Nandos.
10/22/2014 • 12 minutes, 17 seconds
The Apple Icon
In 1954, the French critic and semiotician Roland Barthes began a series of essays in which he analysed the popular culture of his day. He called his essays "Mythologies." In this series of witty talks, the acclaimed writer and critic Peter Conrad delivers a series of 21st Century Mythologies in a French accent of the mind. Conrad ranges over the defining effluvia of our era, from the Cronut, to the Shard, to the Kardashians. In this second programme Conrad turns his attention to one of the most powerful images of our era: Steve Jobs' Apple Icon.