Big Ideas (Audio)
322 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 10 years ago - ★★★★★ - 76 ratingsBig Ideas offers lectures on a variety of thought-provoking topics which range across politics, culture, economics, art history, science.... By nature of its lecture format, pacing and inquisitive approach, it is the antithesis of the prevailing sound-bite television norm. The simple, bold concept is a victory of substance over style. Big Ideas airs Saturdays and Sundays at 5:00 PM EST on TVO - Canada's largest educational broadcaster.
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Episodes
Charles Taylor on Religion and Violence
February 23, 2012 04:30 - 17.1 MBProfessor Emeritus of Political Science and Philosophy at McGill University, Charles Taylor, on Religion and Violence.
Steven Pinker on Thinking About Our Society
February 18, 2012 04:30 - 13.9 MBSteven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature, delivers a lecture entitled Thinking About Our Society: Why Violence Has Declined. Pinker (Psychology - Harvard University) explores the essence of human nature and what lies behind the statistically unmistakable reduction in violence over the past few centuries.
Charles Taylor and Jonathan Sacks on The Future of Religion
February 11, 2012 04:30 - 18.7 MBProfessor Emeritus of Political Science and Philosophy at McGill University, Charles Taylor and Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, Jonathan Sacks discuss The Future of Religion in a Secular Age. The New Atheists, the state of marriage, the dangers of religion in the political sphere and the difference between religious thinking and magical thinking are all discussed.
Ray Jayawardhana on Alien Planets
February 11, 2012 04:30 - 15.9 MBAuthor and astronomer Ray Jayawardhana discusses Alien Planets and his latest book Strange New Worlds. The lecture focuses on techniques for detecting planets orbiting distant stars.
Robert J. Sawyer on Humanity 2.0
February 04, 2012 04:30 - 20 MBWhat will it mean to be human in the future? Uploading consciousness into virtual worlds and prolonging life through biotechnology are already being contemplated. Canada's leading science fiction writer, Robert J. Sawyer, offers his insights in a lecture entitled Humanity 2.0, produced in collaboration with the Literary Review of Canada.
Clay Shirky on Cognitive Surplus
January 21, 2012 04:30 - 18.9 MBAuthor, teacher and activist, Clay Shirky, discusses the visionary insights of Marshall McLuhan as well as his own ideas about the effects of new media and social networking on our society. Shirky's latest book Cognitive Surplus explores how new technology is unleashing a wave of creative production that he believes is transforming the world. Following the lecture, Shirky sits down for an interview with broadcaster Jesse Hirsh. The event was part of the McLuhan 100 series at the Internatio...
David Brooks on The Social Animal
January 14, 2012 04:30 - 17.3 MBIn a lecture entitled How Success Happens, New York Times columnist and author, David Brooks, draws from the research in his latest book The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement. His lecture was delivered at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Julie Payette, Canadian Space Agency Perspectives from Space
January 07, 2012 04:30 - 17.8 MBThe Canadian Space Agency's Chief Astronaut, Julie Payette delivers a lecture entitled Canadian Space Agency Perspectives from Space: Research and Diplomacy.
Palestine and the Arab Spring - Bonus audio
December 24, 2011 04:30 - 3.82 MBBonus audio - Moderator Mark Kingwell and panelists Michael Ignatieff and Ramin Jahanbegloo discuss Palestine and The Arab Spring as viewed through the writings of political philosopher Isaiah Berlin
Thomas Homer-Dixon Q and A-Civilization Far From Equilibrium
December 24, 2011 04:30 - 3.77 MBThomas Homer-Dixon answers questions following his lecture entitled Civilization Far From Equilibrium: Energy, Complexity and Human Survival.
Keith Devlin on Leonardo and Steve: How Fibonacci Beat Apple
December 17, 2011 04:30 - 19.1 MBKeith Devlin, Executive Director of the H-STAR Institute at Stanford University, discusses Leonardo and Steve: How Fibonacci Beat Apple to Market by 800 Years
Steve Paikin on The Personal Price of a Political Life.
December 12, 2011 04:30 - 8.48 MBSteve Paikin, anchor and senior editor of TVO's series The Agenda with Steve Paikin, delivers the 20th annual Bell lecture entitled, The Personal Price of a Political Life. The lecture was recorded at Carleton University in Ottawa on November 16th, 2011.
John Ibbitson on the Collapse of the Laurentian Consensus
December 10, 2011 04:30 - 15.4 MBJohn Ibbitson, Ottawa bureau chief for The Globe and Mail, delivers a lecture on The Collapse of the Laurentian Consensus and the Rise of Ontario as a Pacific Province. This lecture was produced in collaboration with the Literary Review of Canada.
Armine Yalnizyan and William Watson on economic disparity
December 03, 2011 04:30 - 19.3 MBArmine Yalnizyan, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and William Watson, McGill economics professor, debate Inequality: A Threat to Democracy? This is the 2011 Keith Davey Forum on Public Affairs, moderated by political scientist Jeffrey Kopstein.
Liberty and the Arab Spring: Exploring Isaiah Berlin's Ideas
December 03, 2011 04:30 - 19.1 MBModerator Mark Kingwell and panelists Michael Ignatieff and Ramin Jahanbegloo discuss the writings of political philosopher Isaiah Berlin as they pertain to Liberty and The Arab Spring
Gaspar Tamas on The Failure of Liberal Democracy
November 26, 2011 04:30 - 18.1 MBHungarian philosopher, Gaspar Tamas,on The Failure of Liberal Democracy in Eastern Europe and Everywhere Else. His lecture was delivered at the Munk School of Global Affairs on September 20, 2011. Tamas is a prolific writer of essays with a wide-ranging and distinguished career in academics and government. He was also a leading figure in the East European dissident movements.
Gabor Maté on The Human Face of Addictive Behavior
November 24, 2011 04:30 - 18.8 MBDrawing on his experiences with addicted patients from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Dr. Gabor Maté discusses how the medical and legal systems are failing in the so-called war on drugs. He reads from his book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, and suggests ways in which our approach to dealing with drugs and drug addicts could be improved.
Hod Lipson on Programmable Matter: Shape of Things to Come
November 19, 2011 04:30 - 18.4 MBHod Lipson of Cornell University discusses the future of 3-D printing in his lecture entitled, Programmable Matter: The Shape of Things to Come
Janice Stein on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 19, 2011 04:00 - 3.46 MBDirector of the Munk School of Global Affairs, Janice Stein, provides a summary and closing remarks at the event entitled 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Ronald Pruessen on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 19, 2011 04:00 - 2.57 MBUniversity of Toronto history professor, Ronald Pruessen, with his contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Margaret MacMillan on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 18, 2011 04:00 - 2.5 MBOxford history professor, Margaret MacMillan, with her contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Ron Levi on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 18, 2011 04:00 - 3.18 MBAcademic Director for the Munk School of Global Affairs, Ron Levi, with his contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Bill Graham on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 17, 2011 04:00 - 2.09 MBBill Graham, Chancellor of Trinity College, University of Toronto, with his contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Michael Ignatieff on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 17, 2011 04:00 - 2.47 MBWriter, teacher, and former politician, Michael Ignatieff, with his contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Natalie Zemon Davis on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 16, 2011 04:00 - 2.41 MBUniversity of Toronto history professor, Natalie Zemon Davis, with her contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Ron Deibert on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 16, 2011 04:00 - 2.56 MBUniversity of Toronto political scientist Ron Deibert, with his contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Louis Century on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 15, 2011 04:00 - 2.1 MBUniversity of Toronto graduate student, Louis Century, with his contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Elspeth Brown on 9/11: Reflections after Ten Years
November 15, 2011 04:00 - 1.58 MBUniversity of Toronto history professor Elspeth Brown with her contribution to 9/11: Ten Reflections after the Passage of Ten Years: An Opportunity to Contemplate and Remember. It was recorded on September 13, 2011. The event was produced by the Munk School of Global Affairs in conjunction with the Centre for the Study of the United States.
Alex Himelfarb on the consequences of tax cuts
November 12, 2011 04:30 - 18.6 MBHow Did Taxes Become a Bad Word? The Former Clerk of the Privy Council, Alex Himelfarb, discusses why we should be investing more, not less, in our future. While today's political leaders exalt the benefits of increased tax-cutting, Himelfarb argues that further tax cuts will come with serious consequences, including cuts to services and deeper inequality. According to Himelfarb, what we need is nothing less than a re-think about what our future is worth. His lecture was produced in colla...
Leonard Susskind on The World As Hologram
November 05, 2011 04:30 - 19.1 MBLeonard Susskind of the Stanford Institute for Theoretical Physics discusses the indestructability of information and the nature of black holes in a lecture entitled The World As Hologram.
Noam Chomsky on the State-Corporate Complex
October 29, 2011 04:30 - 19.2 MBAcademic, author and political activist, Noam Chomsky, on the State-Corporate Complex: A Threat to Freedom and Survival. Chomsky's lecture was delivered at the Hart House Great Hall at the University of Toronto on April 7, 2011.
Thomas Homer-Dixon on Civilization Far From Equilibrium
October 22, 2011 04:30 - 19 MBThomas Homer-Dixon presents his lecture Civilization Far From Equilibrium: Energy, Complexity and Human Survival at the Equinox Summit - Energy 2030.
John Gray on The Immortalization Commission
October 15, 2011 04:30 - 7.3 MBPhilosopher and author, John Gray, on The Immortalization Commission: Science and the Strange Quest to Cheat Death. In the late nineteenth century and as a consequence of Darwinism, many thinkers turned to science to solve the riddle of death. Gray explores humankind's dangerous striving toward a scientific version of immortality.
Freeman Dyson on Living Through Four Revolutions
October 08, 2011 04:30 - 19.3 MBFreeman Dyson, Professor Emeritus at Princeton University delivers a lecture entitled, Living Through Four Revolutions. Dyson discusses Space Technology, Nuclear Energy, the Genome and the Computer Revolution.
Tariq Ramadan on Western Muslims after Oslo
October 06, 2011 04:00 - 22 MBTariq Ramadan, the well-known, Swiss-born and controversial Muslim philosopher, offers a critique of the discriminatory nature of popular attitudes towards Muslims living in Europe and North America. His lecture was delivered at the Palais des Congres de Montreal on September 8, 2011.
Jeff Melanson on The Evolving Role of the Arts in Canada
October 01, 2011 04:30 - 19.2 MBWhat makes our cultural institutions thrive, what new challenges do they face, and how can we best support them? Arts administrator, Jeff Melanson, explores The Evolving Role of the Arts in Canada. His lecture was produced in collaboration with the Literary Review of Canada and was recorded at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto on May 24, 2011
David Keith on Technology, Energy and Nature
September 24, 2011 04:30 - 19.6 MBDavid Keith, speaking at the Equinox Summit, discusses Technology, Energy and Nature - Human Values and Open Choices. Professor Keith holds the Canada Research Chair in Energy and the Environment.
Nick Mount interviews novelist Sam Lipsyte
September 17, 2011 04:30 - 7.27 MBUniversity of Toronto English professor, Nick Mount, in conversation with author Sam Lipsyte. The interview was taped following Mount's lecture on Lipsyte's novel Home Land
Andrei Markovits on European Anti-Americanism
September 10, 2011 04:30 - 21.2 MBBig Ideas presents University of Michigan professor, Andrei Markovits, on European Anti-Americanism
Nick Mount on Sam Lipsyte's novel Home Land
September 03, 2011 04:30 - 14.6 MBEnglish professor, Nick Mount, provides insight into Sam Lipsyte's novel Home Land. The lecture was part of the Literature for Our Time series at the University of Toronto.
Alexander Nehamas -individual character and ideas of beauty
August 27, 2011 04:30 - 17.8 MBBig Ideas presents Princeton University professor of Philosophy and Comparative Literature, Alexander Nehamas, on how individual character defines our ideas of what is beautiful
Eric Mazur on Stopping Time
August 20, 2011 04:30 - 19.3 MBEric Mazur, the Dean of Applied Physics at Harvard University, delivers a lecture entitled, Stopping Time. In it he breaks time down into it's smallest measureable components via photography and developments in laser technology.
Michael Hardt on The Politics of Love and Evil
August 13, 2011 04:30 - 17.2 MBBig Ideas presents Duke University Literary Theorist, Michael Hardt, discussing The Politics of Love and Evil
Joseph Emerson on The Quantum Tamers
August 06, 2011 04:30 - 17.9 MBBig Ideas presents Joseph Emerson of the Department of Applied Math at the University of Waterloo on the documentary The Quantum Tamers which he co-produced at the Perimeter Institute
John O'Leary on Popular, Informal Education
July 30, 2011 04:30 - 8.72 MBBig Ideas presents John O'Leary, the President of Frontier College on Popular, Informal Education: From the Archives of Frontier College
The Age of Unequals: An Evening with Richard Wilkinson
July 23, 2011 04:30 - 13 MBArmine Yalnizyan, Jordan Peterson, and Matthew Mendelsohn join epidemiologist Richard Wilkinson to discuss why equality is better for everyone, the theme of Wilkinson's book, The Spirit Level
Robert K. Logan on The Origin and Evolution of Language
July 16, 2011 04:30 - 8.34 MBUniversity of Toronto Physics professor Robert K. Logan on The Origin and Evolution of Language and the Emergence of Concepts
Marcus Chown on 10 Bonkers Things About the Universe
July 09, 2011 04:30 - 16.8 MBMarcus Chown of New Scientist Magazine on his Top 10 Bonkers Things About the Universe
Kevin B. Anderson, Janet Afary on The Seductions of Islamism
July 02, 2011 04:30 - 13.2 MBKevin B. Anderson and Janet Afary on their book The Seductions of Islamism: Revisiting Foucault and the Iranian Revolution
Renate Loll on the Quantum Origins of Space and Time
June 25, 2011 04:30 - 24.6 MBRenate Loll from Utrecht University's Institute for Theoretical Physics delivers a lecture on Searching for the Quantum Origins of Space and Time. The lecture was recorded at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario, on May 5, 2010.