Ideas
CBC
IDEAS is a place for people who like to think. If you value deep conversation and unexpected reveals, this show is for you. From the roots and rise of authoritarianism to near-death experiences to the history of toilets, no topic is off-limits. Hosted by Nahlah Ayed, we’re home to immersive documentaries and fascinating interviews with some of the most consequential thinkers of our time.With an award-winning team, our podcast has proud roots in its 60-year history with CBC Radio, exploring the IDEAS that make us who we are. New episodes drop Monday through Friday at 5pm ET.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 12, 2025 • 54min
We believe in artificial intelligence the same way we believe in ghosts
Hidden in the 1950 academic paper that launched the famous 'Turing Test' of machine intelligence, is a strange mystery. Cryptographer Alan Turing argued that humans might always be able to outsmart machines, because we have supernatural powers like ESP, telepathy, and telekinesis. His belief in the paranormal is just one part of the spooky side of artificial intelligence. Like hauntings or seances, AI is an exercise in self-deception; we imagine intelligence from computation and data, just like we imagine ghosts from strange lights and bumps in the night.
Mar 11, 2025 • 54min
A rallying cry to extend human rights to our data-generating digital selves
In this digital age, we must think of ourselves as stakeholders, playing a vital role in the creation of data, says Wendy H. Wong. She is a political scientist and winner of the 2024 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy for her book, We, the Data. Wong argues for a human rights approach when it comes to how our data should be collected, and how it can be used.
Mar 10, 2025 • 54min
How To Build An Empire: The Aeneid Guide to Understanding U.S. Politics
For leaders who built empires throughout history, Virgil's Aeneid has been a blueprint for how to take over land that belongs to someone else. Now when empires are making a comeback, it's worth asking if the epic poem is propaganda, or does it carry a message about the horrors of empire, too?
Mar 7, 2025 • 54min
Believe in ghosts? Why people see spirits and sense visitations
Emily Urquhart dives into the emotional ties between loss and the supernatural, illustrated by personal encounters with spirits. Azania Patel shares the intriguing link between ghost stories and urban change in India, showcasing how these tales reflect societal traumas. Daniel Goldstein discusses how art emerged as a healing force during the AIDS crisis in San Francisco, capturing grief and connection. Together, they explore how our experiences of ghosts embody the very human emotions of grief and memory across different cultures.
Mar 5, 2025 • 54min
How Inuit Storytelling and Modern Horror Fiction Come Together
Examining the parallels between Inuit storytelling and modern horror narratives, writer Jamesie Fournier explores the importance of being afraid and how the other side comes back to haunt us for our own good. This episode is part of our on-going series called IDEAS at Crow's Theatre.
30 snips
Mar 4, 2025 • 54min
Be Reasonable: Scholars Define Who Is and Who Is Not
Canadian thinkers explore the meaning and significance of reasonableness in government and law. Five Canadian intellectuals discuss their backgrounds and areas of expertise. Personal experiences with unreasonableness in various aspects of life are shared. The characteristics of unreasonableness and the challenges faced by boundary-pushing writers are discussed.
Mar 3, 2025 • 54min
How Christian ethics can inform a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine
How can religion help decode the motives for Russia's aggression against Ukraine? And how can Judeo-Christian ethics inform a way forward for peace? Ukrainian Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, and historian of Central European politics Timothy Snyder explore these questions.
Feb 28, 2025 • 54min
Puro Cubano: The Meaning of Tobacco in Cuba
Explore Cuba's economic crisis and its impact on the country's uncertain future. Discover the cultural significance of Cuban cigars and their connection to Cuba's rich history. Follow the story of a tobacco farm owner as he recovers from a destructive hurricane. Learn about the challenges of tobacco farming in Cuba and its association with Cuban nationalism. Understand the effects of climate change on Cuban tobacco cultivation.
23 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 54min
Our Bodies, Our Cells: An Audio Exploration of Life's Building Blocks
Exploring the interconnectedness of trillions of cells in our bodies and their complex functions, this podcast dives into the intricacies of cell division, the abundance of cells within us, the origins of cells and the power of mitochondria, and the awe-inspiring complexity of the universe that allows life to exist.
Feb 26, 2025 • 54min
The UN at 80: Successes, Hopes, Failures, and Challenges
Bob Rae, Canada's UN ambassador, passionately discusses the UN's journey since its inception in 1945, emphasizing its triumphs in human rights despite facing substantial criticism. Lloyd Axworthy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, adds insights about the UN's role in global cooperation and his personal experiences. They explore the importance of dialogue and multilateralism, alongside the need for Indigenous recognition and advocacy in addressing pressing global issues. Their reflections spark hope for enhancing the UN's effectiveness in the future.
