What gave Charles Darwin the confidence to finally make his radical ideas on evolution public? Presented by well-known science interpreter Jim Doherty, this program explores Darwin’s research during the years leading up to his publication of On the Origin of Species. Doherty explains and reconstructs several experiments that Darwin undertook on the grounds of his English estate. These include the immersion of plant seeds in saltwater to support the idea of transoceanic species dispersal; the weed patch experiment, which strengthened Darwin’s awareness of predation and death as major evolutionary factors; and the survey of a nearby meadow where the great naturalist discovered startling biodiversity. Original Open University broadcast title: Dangerous Ideas. (58 minutes)