Is it just me (old) or do these obscure shows buried away on BBC News (like Hard Talk) often seem far more interesting and entertaining than mainstream, prime time shows?

Absolutely agree.

I also find myself increasingly seeking out people, interviews and documentaries on You Tube rather than "watching TV" - which is starting to become a somewhat quaint notion with me and some friends.

There is still a lot of interesting stuff out there; you just have to proactively search away from the dumbed down mainstream *. Same with books and authors.

* but carefully avoiding loonies and conspiracy sites.

Wyot wrote: [/quote]but carefully avoiding loonies and conspiracy sites.
* but carefully avoiding loonies and conspiracy sites.[/quote]

In other words only listen, read things that go with your narrative.

Green Man wrote:
Wyot wrote: but carefully avoiding loonies and conspiracy sites.
* but carefully avoiding loonies and conspiracy sites.[/quote]

In other words only listen, read things that go with your narrative. [/quote]

Not at all. I love watching stuff that questions my narrative or existing beliefs on a subject. So, for example, I last greatly enjoyed (and found thought provoking) a documentary by an eminent Cambridge mathematician and Christian on the existence of God.

I am just picky about who I listen to on any given subject - as the web has given everyone a voice.

I'm watching Nick Robinson interviewing the new Deputy Boss of Northern Ireland and it's fabulous - intelligent, informative, fascinating.