On this episode of Spark: Vocoders, microfluidics, and hybrid leaders. Click below to listen to the whole show, or download the MP3 (runs 54:00).
Play audio:
You can also listen to individual stories below.
The history of the vocoder
From scrambling Second World War secrets, to the Cylons, to Detroit techno music, Dave Tompkins outlines the history of the vocoder. Dave is a music writer and the author of the new book, How to Wreck a Nice Beach. The title, in case you’re wondering, is based on a mishearing of the vocoderized phrase “How To Recognize Speech.” (Runs 10:19)
Play audio:
Group buying
How many people does it take to make a bargain? Spark producer Elizabeth Bowie looks at the recent trend of group buying websites, such as Wagjag.com, Stealthedeal.com, teambuy.ca, webpiggy.com. Elizabeth also talks to Andrew Mason, the CEO and founder of the popular group buying site, Groupon. (Runs 7:14)
Play audio:
TED’s Open TV project
The TED conference is an elite event that most of us wouldn’t dream of going to. It costs $6,000 (even if you can get a ticket). But at the conference, they videotape all the great speakers they bring in. And since 2006, they’ve put video of those speakers online where anyone can watch them for free.
Recently, TED announced their Open TV Project, which makes these videos available for free to broadcast television stations. Nora talks June Cohen, the executive producer of Media for TED to find out why. (Runs 5:08)
Play audio:
Window farming
Even if you live in the city and have no land, you can exercise your green thumb by growing plants hydroponically. In New York City two young women are doing just that with what they call window farms. We asked reporter Jon Kalish, who has a penchant for do-it-yourself projects, to check it out. (Runs 8:16)
Play audio:
- WindowFarms.org
- Shared Earth connects land owners with gardeners and farmers
Frederick Balagadde on innovation and microfluids
Frederick Balagadde works in an area of research called microfluidics, which deals with the behaviour of fluids on a micro scale. He’s working on the idea of making a medical lab on a chip, and TED has recognized him for his innovation in this area.
In most parts of Canada, there are doctors, and equipment, and it’s easy to travel to clinics or a hospital. But in Uganda, where Frederick is from, the average person doesn’t have the money for medical tests, and even if they did, there’s a shortage of doctors. In that context, portable diagnosis could make a huge difference. (Runs 8:21)
Play audio:
Hybrid Leaders
Frederick Balagadde is just one example of a much broader phenomenon: the emergence of a new wave of leaders who are defined by living between cultures rather than coming from any particular culture. Some call them transcultural leaders. Spark columnist Anand Giridharadas, who also writes the Currents column in The New York Times, calls them “hybrid leaders.” (Runs 8:23)
Play audio:
- NYT: New Leaders Find Strength in Diversity
- Ethan Zuckerman on Xenophiles and Cultural Bridge Figures
Episode Details
Music and sound effects used in this episode:
- “Countdown” by Corsica_S
- “Wadidyusay?” by Zap Mama
- “James Brown d’funk (Lets go, Bounce)” by texasradiofish
- “Fleur D’ennui” (1943) by Django Reinhardt Et Le Quintette Du Hot Club De France
- “Mr. Blue Sky” by Electric Light Orchestra
- “March From A Clockwork Orange (Ninth Symphony, Fourth Movement, Abridged)” by Wendy Carlos
- “Another Another Day” by teru
- “Takes Two to Make a Bargain” (1935) by Dorsey Brothers Orchestra With Bing Crosby
- “participatoryPlanning” by airtone
- “Sitting By The Window” by Vic Damone Feat. Glenn Osser’s Orchestra
- Music from “Music for Starting Over” by Podington Bear
- “Angel” by J.Lang
You can receive Spark automatically by subscribing to any of our totally free podcast feeds:
- Free weekly podcast (Subscribe in iTunes)
- Free weekly podcast + additional blog-only content (Subscribe in iTunes)
- Free weekly podcast (low bandwidth version)
For more information (and instructions) visit cbc.ca/podcasting
[Original images by snackfight, curtis.kennington, TED Conference, World Economic Forum, Marcin Wichary]
I loved the piece on hybrid leaders, and it sparked (hee) so much thinking about multiplicity. I live in Toronto (typical white canadian ontario upbringing) and I run a project in Uganda for orphaned and vulnerable children. I'm constantly trying to straddle both worlds, to translate life in Uganda for our potential donors here. My paid work is about facilitating conversations across differences, and it's so heartening to hear these kinds of ideas in the mainstream in such simple ways.
Hi Nora. I'd just like to say how much I enjoyed Spark podcast 113, the first one I have listened to. I discovered your podcasts via the Android "Listen" app. I live in the UK, btw.
I look forward to listening to future Spark podcasts.
Hiya, thanks for dropping by and commenting. I'm always interested in learning how people find out about our content. Great to know!
I'm wondering: is the piece on group buying available as a download anywhere, or just to listen to here (and in the episode)?