BBC Ideas

Short films for curious minds

New on BBC Ideas

New on BBC Ideas

Is the internet broken?

75% of the world is online, and in many ways it makes all our lives better. But faced with AI slop, misinformation and toxicity, many people are asking: Is there a better way?

Made with UK Research and Innovation

Made with UK Research and Innovation

Endometriosis: 'I thought I was dying'

The BBC's Ellie Colton shares her experience of living with endometriosis - and meets a scientist hoping to cut the length of time it takes to be diagnosed with a simple new test.

More on this

What's really going on in your gut? Video
Attribution
UKRI
Why listening to birdsong is good for you. Video, 00:01:35
Attribution
BBC
What happens when your mum goes to prison? Video
Attribution
UKRI
Could gut parasites be influencing your behaviour? Video
Attribution
UKRI
Can (and should) we cure blindness? Video
Attribution
UKRI

Made with The Open University

Made with The Open University

The slave trader's daughter who rejected slavery

The remarkable story of a pioneering abolitionist who was also the daughter of one of Jamaica’s most prolific slave traders.

Latest videos

Smart hacks to accelerate your language learning. Video
Attribution
The Open University
Would you want to be cared for by robots when you're older? Video, 00:04:53
Attribution
The Open University
Three myths about emergency contraception. Video, 00:04:44
Attribution
The Open University
What does it take to be a prison officer? Video
Attribution
The Open University
'Hoarding was a way to protect myself from the world' Video, 00:05:28
Attribution
The Open University

Made with the Royal Society

Made with the Royal Society

How not to get struck by lightning

Lightning is incredibly powerful - and can be incredibly dangerous. In this video, Sophia Herod from BBC Weather busts some common myths about lightning.

Latest videos

Can we reflect away the Sun's rays to slow down climate change? Video, 00:05:05
Attribution
The Royal Society
What are 'forever chemicals' and are they bad for us? Video, 00:04:15
Attribution
BBC
A very short guide to Bayesian reasoning. Video
Attribution
Royal Society
Would you donate your body to science? Video
Attribution
Royal Society
Should we try to communicate with aliens? Video
Attribution
Royal Society

What's the weather like on other planets?

A (very) short guide to the Universe

Reflecting on the moon

Reflecting on the moon

The Moon and its many mysteries

The moon landing, full moon, the dark side of the moon... The Moon has always fascinated us - but why?

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence

How to turbocharge your AI skills

Started using AI chatbots, but not sure you're getting the best out of them? This is the guide for you.

More on this

How to get started with AI chatbots. Video
Attribution
The Open University
How AI can improve your life - at home and work. Video
Attribution
The Open University
Can you spot an AI scam? Video
Attribution
The Open University
Should your kids be using AI in their homework? Video
Attribution
The Open University

Our latest shorts

Be inspired by science

Health and wellbeing

What's the point of the menopause? Video
Attribution
Milner Centre for Evolution
How to avoid emotional burnout. Video, 00:04:13
Attribution
BBC
Three things that won’t give you cancer. Video, 00:04:07
Attribution
Science Museum
How I overcame self-harm. Video, 00:07:41
Attribution
BBC
Three ways to reduce your risk of cancer. Video, 00:04:38
Attribution
Science Museum

Inside Our Minds

Inside Our Minds

'My thoughts are like fish in a pond'

For Suiki, dyslexia is not just about difficulty reading and spelling, it affects many aspects of her life.

More on this

'I just thought I was rubbish at a lot of things' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'I'm not 'just' a builder' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'Frustration is a huge part of my life with ADHD' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
I’m autistic – here’s why I decided to stop masking. Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer
'I have no voice, but so much to say' Video
Attribution
BBC iPlayer

Expand your mind with the University of Oxford

Can visualisation help you achieve a better future? Video, 00:04:32
Whether at work, in sports, or in everyday life, vividly imagining steps towards success can actually help you achieve it. Here's how...
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
17 October 2024
How to make sure gaming is good for your mental health. Video, 00:04:40
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
29 August 2024
Is it OK to track your kids? Video, 00:05:36
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
17 July 2024
The surprising benefits of exercising with friends. Video, 00:04:47
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
30 July 2024
Five things you probably didn’t know about periods. Video, 00:04:46
Attribution
University of Oxford
Posted
27 July 2023

Love and relationships

Supporting your wellbeing

Mind management

Mind management

What is flow and how can it help you achieve more?

How tennis players achieve 'flow' - and a few tips on how it can help you too

Latest videos

Three invaluable tools to boost your resilience. Video, 00:05:10
Attribution
The Open University
Why impostor syndrome can be a strength. Video, 00:04:03
Attribution
BBC
Five ways to distraction-proof your mind. Video, 00:04:16
Attribution
BBC
How I forgave myself for the death of my friend. Video, 00:06:32
Attribution
The Open University
What's the point of humiliation? Video, 00:04:22
Attribution
The Open University

Nature and us

Sustainable thinking

How to talk with children about climate change. Video, 00:03:36
Attribution
The Open University
Posted
13 April 2023
The secrets of the deep ocean. Video, 00:04:26
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
25 May 2022
Should we put a price on nature? Video, 00:06:22
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
1 December 2022
Will flying ever be sustainable? Video, 00:06:09
Attribution
Royal Society
Posted
29 March 2023
What if everyone in the world planted a tree? Video, 00:02:48
Attribution
BBC
Posted
26 February 2020

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