The Allusionist

115. Keep Calm and

Twenty years ago, a 1939 poster printed by the British government with the words ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ turned up in a second-hand bookshop in Northern England. And lo! A decor trend was born: teatowels, T-shirts, mugs, phone cases, condoms, and a zillion riffs on the phrase. Bookshop owner <a href="https://twitter.com/owenhatherley" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stuart Manley</a> talks about unearthing the poster that spawned countless imitations; author <a href="https://twitter.com/owenhatherley" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Owen Hatherley</a> explains why the poster was NOT, in fact, an exemplar of Blitz Spirit and British bulldog courage and whatnot; and psychologist and therapist <a href="http://soundslikemisophonia.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jane Gregory</a> considers whether being told to keep calm can keep us calm. Find out more about this episode, the subject matter and the interviewees, at <a href="http://theallusionist.org/keepcalm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">theallusionist.org/keepcalm</a>. The Allusionist's online home is <a href="http://theallusionist.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">theallusionist.org</a>. Stay in touch at <a href="http://twitter.com/allusionistshow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twitter.com/allusionistshow</a>, <a href="http://facebook.com/allusionistshow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/allusionistshow</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/allusionistshow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">instagram.com/allusionistshow</a>.<a href="http://patreon.com/allusionist" rel="payment">Support the show: http://patreon.com/allusionist</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.