Legendary Polish foreign correspondent, Ryszard Kapuscinski, who died last year - obituary - wrote a final book about the legendary Greek foreign correspondent, Herodotus. It’s a great insight into the art of listening and understanding. Kapuscinski points out that in a world without books, or inscriptions of any kind (let alone emails or desktops loaded with pdfs) the only way to give or receive information was to find someone and make an exchange:

“And how much richer is this primeval, antique language of direct contact and Socratic give and take! Because it is not only words that matter in it. What is important, and frequently paramount, is what is communicated wordlessly, by facial expression, hand gesture, body movement. Herodotus understands this, and like every reporter or ethnologist he tries to be in the most direct contact with his interlocutors, not only listening to what they say, but also watching how they say it, how they act as they speak.”

Travels with Herodotus, Ryszard Kapuscinski, pub. Allen Lane.

Front Row, the Radio Four arts show, had an item last night on the British Army’s officer training programme: hear it on Listen Again. To help trainee officers develop their strategic sense, to encourage them to analyse situations and to step outside their own comfort zone, they are sent on a series of visits to arts venues.

It’s an interesting example of how cultural provision builds intellectual capital.