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Why Do We Make Lists?
Lists of things to do and things to buy. Presents we want for Christmas, or things we desire in a lover. But why do we make lists and what do they reveal about us?
Lists of things to do and things to buy. Presents we want for Christmas, or things we desire in a lover. Lists help us organise our thoughts and bring order to a confusing world. But what do they reveal about us?
(Photo: An original Madonna handwriten 1990 'to do' diary. Credit: Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images)
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Mon 21 Dec 201514:32GMT
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- Mon 21 Dec 201514:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East, East and Southern Africa, East Asia, West and Central Africa & South Asia only
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The Why Factor
The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions



