The Currentwith Anna Maria Tremonti
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How the ravenmaster of London protects the kingdom with birds
As the ravenmaster at the Tower of London, Christopher Skaife's job responsibilities include the care and feeding of a few birds — and holding together the United Kingdom.
The Current for December 14, 2018
Today on The Current: As the UN talks on climate change are extended in Poland, we look at what — if anything — has been achieved so far; we look at gender disparity in classical music, and ask whether it starts with the instruments kids choose in the classroom; and the Tower of London's ravenmaster tells us about a prophecy of dire consequences if his birds leave.
Activist urges WWII-level global effort to fight climate change
As part of The Current's special edition on climate change, we talk to two experts about the level of commitment needed to tackle the problem — and why that action isn't taking place.
Some jobs in new energy industries come with a pay cut of $50K: coal miner
As industries change around plans to cut greenhouse emissions, will the "green jobs" that replace them match the pay and benefits of the fossil fuel sector?
What can environmentalists learn from the civil rights movement?
What can environmentalists learn from the civil rights movement? We talk to Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, a civil rights worker turned climate justice activist.
Two Canadians discuss how to find common ground in fight against climate change
How do we build a consensus in order to move forward? We look at the deep divide in perspectives, and how to bridge them.
The Current for December 13, 2018
In a special edition of The Current, we explore the challenges we face with climate change, from the psychology of confronting the changes that need to be made; to changing industries and whether "green jobs" will offer the same pay and benefits; to building a consensus in order to move forward; and what environmentalists can learn from the civil rights movement.
'In the middle of a battle,' journalist Maria Ressa, named among Time's Person of the Year, won't back down
Maria Ressa, named among Time Magazine's 'Person of the Year,' says the Philippines is a warning to the world about the power of social media to spread misinformation. She wants platforms like Facebook to take more responsibility.
Arrest of former Canadian diplomat suggests China 'doesn't respect the rule of law,' says former ambassador
A former ambassador says that the arrest of a former Canadian diplomat in China is latest in string of crises that suggest China "evades its responsibilities."
Myers-Briggs tests in the workplace help the employer, not the employee, says author
Using the Myers-Briggs personality test is a way to engineer a workforce while appearing to care about employees' self fulfillment, says Merve Emre, the author of The Personality Brokers: The Strange History of Myers-Briggs and the Birth of Personality Testing.
The Current for December 12, 2018
Today on the Current: we talk to one of Time Magazine's People of the Year, Maria Ressa, about the power of social media to spread misinformation; a former ambassador says that the arrest of a former Canadian diplomat in China is latest in string of crises that suggest China "evades its responsibilities"; and the history behind the Myers-Briggs personality test.
Bill to curb violence against Indigenous women could hurt those it aims to protect, warns lawyer
Senator Lillian Dyck is proposing harsher sentences for those who commit violent crimes against Indigenous women, such as sexual assault, manslaughter or murder. But some advocates argue that Bill S-215 could have unintended consequences that actually harm those it seeks to protect.
Throwing a wrench in political system led to chaos in Britain and France, says expert
The political turmoil and rioting in Britain and France highlight a fault line in Western democracies. Voters have seized on a 'generalized' rebellion against 'thriving' elites, according to one expert.
Minimalism: Upper-class luxury or liberating lifestyle?
In a world of stuff, there's a movement that sells the idea of space as a path to happiness. But some critics see this lifestyle trend as self-centered, and say it includes its own kind of consumerism that only people with money can afford.
The Current for December 11, 2018
Today on The Current: we look at the political turmoil in Britain and France and what it says about the wider trend in Western democracies; could a new bill that aims to help Indigenous women actually end up harming them?; and why some people argue that minimalism, and living with less, is actually a form of consumerism.
James Allison won a Nobel for defying scientific orthodoxy. What about the mavericks who don't succeed?
James Allison is an immunologist who rejected scientific orthodoxy early in his career, but has earned the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his revolutionary work on cancer treatment. Not all scientists who go rogue reap the rewards however, so where's the line between confidence and stubbornness?
Concerns percolating over Huawei's 'leverage' over Canadian cybersecurity
The Arrest of tech exec Meng Wanzhou is underlining worries that her company, Huawei, could use its position in Canada as a means for espionage or retaliation against the government.
How lunch with Bono led Steve Jobs to reveal he named a computer after his daughter
In many ways, Lisa Brennan-Jobs' memoir Small Fry tells stories that will ring true to many kids of parents who have split — except that her father was Apple co-founder and tech messiah Steve Jobs.
The Current for December 10, 2018
Today on The Current: does Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei pose a risk to western communications systems?; as a scientific maverick is awarded a Nobel Prize today, we look at where going rogue pays off in research, and where it doesn't; and Lisa Brennan-Jobs tells us about her childhood and her father, the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
A martyr, or misguided? Death of missionary sparks debate over evangelical work
A 26-year-old Christian missionary was killed last month when he snuck onto a remote island in the Indian Ocean. John Allen Chau hoped to preach to an uncontacted tribe, but he was killed. His death has sparked a debate: was he a martyr, or misguided?
'Fighting is easier than peace': Ending war in Yemen will require global effort, says expert
With over 60 per cent of the population living on the brink of famine and an estimated 85,000 children dead from malnutrition, the war has propelled the country into a devastating humanitarian crisis.
'Crazy' to expect consumers to guard against smart device hacks: cybersecurity expert
A new government report says hackers are increasingly targeting smart home devices, from thermostats to security cameras.
The Current for December 7, 2018
Today on The Current: the death of a missionary on a remote island has sparked a debate over whether he was a martyr, or misguided; could an end finally be in sight for the devastating conflict in Yemen?; as the ‘internet of things’ grows, who bears the responsibility for making sure our smart devices are secure?
Formula-fed infants at risk thanks to 'breast is best' approach, says researcher
The health benefits of breastfeeding are well-established, but not every new mother can do it. Those who can't are finding themselves relying on expensive formula — sometimes having to forage for it online or in food banks — with little help from health policy that insists "breast is best."
Lemurs could hold the key to human hibernation, scientist says
We look at how the fat-tailed dwarf lemur could hold the secret to human hibernation, and whether that could be the key to deep-space travel.
