Ideas

Gregor Craigie, a CBC Radio host and author, tackles Canada’s housing crisis with insights from various perspectives. Kix Sitton highlights the overlooked connection between brain injuries and homelessness, advocating for better support systems. Leonard Krogh, Nanaimo's mayor, shares his journey addressing housing and social issues in the community. They discuss the democracy’s fragility due to rising homelessness and innovative housing solutions, emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making and the urgency of community-driven efforts to reshape the housing landscape.

Public libraries are the forum for intellectual freedom, a core value that librarians protect for the sake of democracy. Yet libraries have now become a target in the culture wars of the U.S. – and in Canada, too. It’s an urgent conversation to have, no matter where one sits on the political spectrum. Libraries exist to give everyone access to a wide variety of content, even when books may offend others. Librarians are increasingly having to persuade skeptics that all ideas belong on their shelves. In our series, IDEAS for a Better Canada (in partnership with the Samara Centre for Democracy) we ask: What do we have if the freedom to read isn’t ours anymore?

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the greatest gifts of scripture to humanity; just ask Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Leo Tolstoy. But who's making any use of it today? In a time when an eye for an eye still seems to hold sway, IDEAS producer Sean Foley explores the logic of Christian non-violence, beginning with Jesus' counsel to 'turn the other cheek.' *This episode won a Wilbur Award for excellence in communicating spiritual themes. It originally aired on Oct. 14, 2022.

Dive into a treasure trove of thought-provoking discussions. Explore the intriguing rise of authoritarianism and hear astonishing near-death experiences. Discover the quirky history of toilets, revealing insights about everyday subjects. This show embraces a wide array of topics, ensuring there's something for every curious mind. Perfect for those who crave deep conversations and unexpected revelations!

Saturn, an alligator that was supposedly Hitler’s favourite animal was 'liberated' from the Berlin zoo when the Red Army invaded Germany at the end of the Second World War. The reptile was relocated to Moscow where it died in 2020. But with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Saturn’s story has become once again a symbol in wartime geopolitics. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 10, 2023.

In this engaging discussion, historian Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University professor and author of 'A Global History of Elon Musk,' explores the complexities of Musk as a modern titan. He argues that Musk reflects a society that empowered him, revealing how technical solutions to social issues have shaped governance. The conversation dives into digital libertarianism and the controversial concept of charter cities, also critiquing the intersection of technology and authority, while pondering the future of capitalism in a globalized world.

Ron Deibert, founder of the Citizen Lab and author of 'Chasing Shadows', delves into the alarming world of digital surveillance. He reveals how sophisticated spyware like Pegasus can infiltrate any phone globally, leaving us all vulnerable. Deibert discusses the ethical challenges tech firms face while aiding authoritarian regimes and emphasizes the need for protective measures for activists. He also addresses the disturbing merger of social media with surveillance, showcasing a landscape where personal safety is increasingly compromised.

Timothy Snyder, a renowned historian and Yale professor, explores the complexities of freedom. He distinguishes between 'freedom from' and 'freedom to,' critiquing figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump as 'heroes of negative freedom.' Snyder warns against this binary thinking, suggesting that true freedom involves collective well-being. The conversation also touches on the evolving views of Russia in U.S. politics, the paradox of technology as entrapment, and emphasizes empathy as a foundational aspect of personal and societal freedom.

Lou Skoda, a seasoned cartographer with 50 years of expertise, joins Jesse Gordon, manager of technical services for the Namgis First Nation. They discuss the fascinating subjectivity of maps, revealing how they reflect cultural narratives and biases. From the Gulf of Mexico controversy to garbage management systems, the conversation explores the evolution of cartography, blending art and science. Skoda's innovative population mapping techniques challenge traditional views, highlighting maps as both navigational tools and representations of reality.

At a time when Canadians are rallying around the flag, IDEAS thought we could all use a little Stompin’ Tom Connors to keep us going. Famous for his black cowboy hat, he was an original, writing hundreds of songs about what it means to be Canadian. He may have died 12 years ago, but his songs live on, and resonate today.