When a map is built, are we showing the physical world, or are we merely projecting our world view onto a piece of paper? Each map has a hidden set of assumptions and ideologies, giving power to some and taking it from others.
Countries: CA
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The Age of Empire
As European nations ventured out to grab other lands – and to fight their European rivals in other theatres – they believed they had the right and responsibility to name everything, producing an amazing series of classificatory systems, some of which are still with us today and still greatly disputed.
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The Origin of Species
Who was Darwin? What is his argument? And what is its relationship to the brutal social Darwinism that, in some ways, led to the First World War?
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Science and War
Historians debate whether war is essentially destructive or constructive for the development of science. Certainly both world wars used scientists and science – with ever more destructive results. As for science, the result was the largest cooperative groups of scientists in history, something that is now labelled as Big Science.
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The End of Classical Physics
Einstein, Planck and other physicists of the early 20th century proposed a world of relativity which stood in sharp contradiction to the certainties of classical physics. How did this “relativity” affect other areas of social and cultural structure? How is relativity an example of how scientific theory affects the way in which the world is generally perceived?
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The Challenge of 20th Century Biology
The race for the structure of DNA, just over 50 years ago, is a wonderful story of intrigue and personalities, and gives us a very interesting insight into how science actually works, rather than how philosophers tell us it should work.
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Women’s Role in Science
Is science a masculine enterprise, suited to the male intellect and unsuited to the female? Or has science developed in an insular male world for so long that women are excluded automatically by a rigid male hierarchy? This episode examines the various arguments feminists have made about the relationship between women and science.
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Where is Science Headed?
Will science destroy us or transform us? As science turns inward to the manipulation of our genetic structure, and extends our senses through digital technologies that transform our relationship to each other and nature as well, are we in control, or are we hanging on for our lives?
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Journey to 100
Everyone has heard Canada’s population is changing. What does this mean in our day-to-day lives and what does it mean for our futures? How do we respond to social issues like finances, health care, careers, retirement and housing? As well, as the population ages, new business opportunities are becoming apparent. In addition, there will be more career opportunities for people working in the field of gerontology.
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Living Every Day
People understand more and more the importance of maintaining their health. A look at the components that contribute to healthy living, utilizing Health Canada’s Key Determinants of Health–income and social status, social support networks, education and literacy, social environments, physical environments, etc. Profiles people living active healthy retirements and inspiring us, regardless of our age, to really live the lives we desire.