69. Memento Mori

The passing of time brings inevitable change - corrosion, disintegration and, eventually, disappearance. While the certainty of this process may seem like cause for despair, Matthew Syed explores the beauty that can be found in the process of decay.

American composer William Basinski, watching his old reel-to-reel tapes disintegrate into a masterpiece of ambient music, discovered how even decay can lead to something unexpectedly profound.

In Detroit’s abandoned neighbourhoods, the ruins tell a story of transformation, where the decline of once-thriving industry serves as both a stark reminder of impermanence and a catalyst for reflection and artistic expression.

With composer William Basinski, cultural historian Professor Dora Apel, Detroit artist Scott Hocking, and religion professor Ankur Barua.

Presenter: Matthew Syed

Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten

Series Editors: Georgia Moodie and Max O'Brien

Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson

Theme music by Ioana Selaru

A Novel production for BBC Radio 4