Experts from the University of Edinburgh discuss how technology affects us in countless different ways - in how we communicate, in the art that we produce, even how we think about ourselves and others. The podcast will look at a landmark art exhibition by a prophet of the TV age, examine how new and ancient media can be rather fruitful bedfellows, and look back to a revolution of expression and art inspired by the humble C90 cassette tape.

This podcast takes the concept of 'icons' as its starting point. What are they, how important are they and how do iconic ideas take root? An eclectic array of topics are examined, debated and questioned: how has Hollywood's portrayal of the ancient world influenced our understanding of history? How have theological discussions between Muslims and Christians developed and shaped society? And in what way did ideas of 'liberty' develop in Glasgow, New York and Cork in the early modern age?

Experts from the University discuss the slippery nature of image and perception - ranging from how fashion can change how we see ourselves and others, to a robust argument that Edinburgh's urban landscape, far from being a glorious and prosperous architectural wonderland, actually says that this is a city in decline. We will also look at the mysterious ways in which our brains construct our sense of reality, and why seeing should not always be believing.

Experts from the University discuss and old ways of collecting stories about Scotland - from crowd sourcing hundreds of hours of video via the internet to scouring the indecipherable notes of a folklorist who travelled through the highlands and islands in the 1800s. We will also talk about a more challenging narrative that has emerged in new research from the School of Law around young people and imprisonment.

Dr Nicola McEwen, director of public policy at the Academy of Government, Dr Simon Clark, head of the School of Economics, Professor Stephen Tierney, director of the Edinburgh Centre for Constitutional Law, and Professor Ewen Cameron, the Sir William Fraser chair of Scottish History discuss the big issues that lie of the road to the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014.