The Great Political Fictions: Gulliver’s Trav...

David talks to historian and broadcaster Greg Jenner about the surprising history of the idea of celebrity, from Roman generals to 18th-century child stars to contemporary pop culture icons. How is celebrity different from fame or renown? What makes celebrity so seductive, so per ...  Show more

Today’s episode is about a bad idea with a very recent history: David talks to political historian David Klemperer about the dangers of deliverism. When did the view that delivering for the voters is a good idea become so controversial? What does it get right and what does it get ...  Show more

Jonathan Swift’s enduring satire Gulliver’s Travels was first published on October 28, 1726 - though the true identity of the book’s author was concealed from readers. A spoof of Daniel Defoe’s popular Robinson Crusoe, the novel bleakly satirised British society, colonialism, an ...  Show more

Meet Gulliver, a traveling English surgeon. First he's big, then he's small. Next he's wise, then he's a Yahoo! To wit, Swift's seminal satire is realer, grosser, and really grosser than either of us knew. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at bett ...  Show more

This week on Brilliant Idiots, Charlamagne The God and Andrew Schulz dive into today’s wild political and cultural landscape. We’re unpacking everything from what it really means to be an adult in this chaotic world to the drama surrounding Trump, the Democratic Party, and the mu ...  Show more

Political intrigue is always curious, whether it's ancient or more recent. Here are two adventurous tales to prove our point. Order the official Cabinet of Curiosities book by clicking here today, and get ready to enjoy some curious reading!Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes!: ...  Show more