It is well known that life on Earth depends on water. Some researchers believe that this molecule is predestined for this mission, thanks to its many unusual properties. What makes this mysterious substance, found throughout the universe, so unique?

Northern European countries are known for their long tradition of welfare: Norway, Sweden and Finland still share the defence of their social welfare model, but also the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. How can these two demands be reconciled? Three examples of sustainable architecture in Oslo, Skelleftea and Helsinki.

Various voices from different countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Poland, reflect on the trauma and legacy of the Second World War. Some express concern about Russia's attempt to monopolise the narrative of victory and use it to justify present actions, while others recall the atrocities of the conflict and the importance of not forgetting the past in order to prevent it from repeating itself.

Temperatures on the Svalbard archipelago, home to the world's northernmost population centers, are averaging five degrees higher in just 30 years. The “ice fjord” must now change its name, rain and rainbows are replacing snowfall, reindeer are not surviving, and the administrative capital Longyearbyen has become a study base for scientists from around the world.

Kim Holmen, director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, sums up, “If we even magically eliminated all carbon dioxide emissions today, it would take 20-30 for the situation to return to normal.” Nowhere in the world have temperatures, for decades now, risen as much as in the Arctic Circle.

Drugs have a bad reputation; yet, scientists have long been convinced that the use of psychedelic substances can be (sometimes) beneficial. In an age when the consumption of ecstasy, LSD and other hallucinogens is about to be approved for therapeutic purposes, should we perhaps change our relationship with certain narcotics?

Would humans be able to breathe, construct buildings or obtain food on the moon? In short: could humanity ever actually inhabit our satellite?

The sources explore the human desire to abandon conventional society for a life perceived as more free and self-determined, illustrating both the romantic attraction of isolation in nature and the practical and psychological difficulties of such a choice. Through the experiences of individuals who have attempted this transition, a reflection emerges on the deep motivations that drive people to escape and on the unexpected consequences, highlighting how pre-existing problems often do not disappear. The media representation of these alternative lifestyles and the contrast with the reality of those who live them is also examined, finally touching on the theme of involuntary marginalisation and the fundamental need for social connection.

The texts provide a detailed account of the life and work of Jean-François Champollion, focusing on his journey to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. They highlight the crucial support of his older brother, Jacques-Joseph, in his learning and research. The sources describe the discovery of the Rosetta Stone and the competition with other scholars, culminating in Champollion's epoch-making success in 1822. His subsequent expedition to Egypt, the founding of Egyptology as a discipline and the last years of his life are also illustrated. In summary, they offer an in-depth look at Champollion and the birth of our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

This episode is about the controversial construction of the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail line (LGV), highlighting the protests and concerns of local residents in France and Italy regarding the environmental, social and economic impact of the project.

This episode traces the all-encompassing evolution of the railway, from its birth and its impact on industrialisation and 19th-century society, to the challenges posed by the automobile and the aeroplane in the 20th century.

It highlights the technical innovations, social changes, global expansion and geopolitical role of the railway, including darker aspects such as its use during the Holocaust.

Finally, it explores its renewed significance in the 21st century as a sustainable means of transport and discusses promising future technologies for guided transport.

The impact of artificial intelligence on music, different perspectives from musicians and technicians. They question the creative potential of AI, its ability to generate quality music and the possible consequences on originality, emotion and the future of musical art.

Some artists are actively experimenting with AI as a tool for innovation, creating new sounds and unexpected collaborations. However, concerns are raised about the potential standardisation of music, the loss of the human element and copyright issues.

Ultimately, the episode reflects an open debate about the opportunities and challenges that AI introduces to the world of music creation.

The discovery and study of Ciudad Perdida, an ancient city in the Colombian jungle. Archaeologist Peterot guides viewers through the history of this Tairona civilisation, rediscovered in 1976 by Luisa Fernanda Herrera.

The story explores the challenges of exploration, the social and political organisation of the Tairona, highlighting their advanced construction and communication techniques.

Finally, the episode reveals the disappointment of the Spanish, attracted by gold but deceived by the tumbaga alloy used by the Tairona, and the tragic end of the civilisation due to disease.

An overview of the genesis and controversies surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower. The episode explores the competition between Gustave Eiffel's iron design and Jules Bourdet's stone proposal for the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris, highlighting the conflict between tradition and progress.

Pansexual primates, hermaphroditic leopard slugs, clown fish that change sex: in the animal world, sexual behaviour is much more diverse than we might think. Contradicting the theory of Darwinian evolution, a panel of scientists offers a modern interpretation of the sexuality of the 11 million species in existence.

Civil aviation was born in 1919, but it was not until after the Second World War that air traffic really took off. Tickets were very expensive, however, and air travel in the 1950s was a luxury reserved for wealthy tourists and businessmen.

The legendary Pan American World Airways, better known as Pan Am, epitomised the elegance and glamour of the period. Concorde, the legendary supersonic aircraft inaugurated in 1969, marked the apogee of this golden age, which came to an end in the 1980s with the successive appearances of the Boeing 707 (around 150 seats) and, above all, the Boeing 747 (300 to 450 seats).

At a time when the climate crisis and the concept of flight shame are prompting more and more people to give up air travel, we take a look back at the decades when the skies belonged to an elite.

It's a well-known fact that human beings love the heat. Sunbathing under the scorching sun is popular, and sweating profusely in the sauna is considered to be good for the health. But that doesn't stop tens of thousands of Germans responding to the call of the cold: diving into lakes in November, splashing around in icy baths in the garden or hiking in their swimming costumes in the snow. They hope to de-stress, prevent infections or relieve rheumatic pain. But does it really work?

This episode explores the origin of life on Earth, from the earliest single-celled forms to current theories. Several hypotheses are presented, including the role of hydrothermal springs and the RNA world, highlighting the challenges in reconstructing these primordial events in the laboratory.

A comparison of the transport infrastructure between Europe and the United States, highlighting how the European rail network, including high-speed trains, is more extensive and integrated.

Despite a less extensive road network, Europe suffers less from congestion thanks to policies that incentivise public transport and discourage private car use. There is greater parking density in the US than in Europe a commitment by the European Union to improve urban planning and promote sustainable transport, culminating in the freedom of movement offered to its citizens.

The challenges and passions of oyster farming in the Bassin d'Arcachon. Different aspects of the trade are presented, from the cultivation and sale of oysters to growing problems such as the decline in the number of producers, the theft of oysters and the consequences of climate change and pollution. The documentary also highlights the initiatives and resilience of those trying to preserve this local tradition, between innovation and attachment to the territory.

Many authoritarian regimes in various nations, such as Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan, manipulate pop music for political and propaganda purposes. In Russia, a viral song is perceived as a tool of the Kremlin, while in Iran, critical musicians face severe punishments, including the death penalty. Uzbekistan exercises tight control over artists through licensing and content censorship. These examples illustrate how music is exploited or suppressed to influence public opinion and maintain power.