TVO - Big Ideas, May 16, 2009: John Ralston
Saul on what defines Canada as a nation
Author and philosopher, John Ralston Saul,
presents the themes of his latest book, A Fair
Country: Telling Truths about Canada. He argues
that Canada is a Metis nation, critically
influenced and shaped by aboriginal ideas.
For more information on this episode, including
information on the guests and various other
resources and links, visit the
episode webpage
-----
Note: This is an iPod video podcast that is
available for free download from the website.
Quality is good. Audio podcast (mp3 format) is
also available for free download.
Type: mp4 file
Size: 120MB
Runtime: 00:55:53
Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 320x240
Audio: AAC 32000Hz mono 48Kbps
Download this episode using the attached torrent
file or download it directly using this link:
http://feeds.tvo.org/~r/tvobigideasVideo/~5/raq4nJrpE5k/BI_Lecture_20090516_834123_JRSaul_320x240_304k.mp4
You can also watch a flash video of this lecture
through your web-browser here:
http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?video?BI_Lecture_20090516_834123_JRSaul
-----
TVO - Big Ideas
TELEVISION FOR PASSIONATE THINKERS
Quote:
I had never seen your
program before, in fact I had never even heard of
it. I was fortunate enough to tune in today ...
Nothing is quite as nourishing as food for
thought.
-Brian, Big Ideas viewer |
Quote:
I have been off and on
social assistance for several years. When I watch
your show, I really am in university (a place I
badly miss) and I don't feel so poor.
-Gillian, Big Ideas viewer |
Quote:
... Were it not for
Big Ideas to bring this to our attention we would
be clueless. You are doing important work and
those of us that are fortunate enough to catch
your program, greatly appreciate your efforts.
-Gary, Big Ideas viewer |
BIG IDEAS, now in its eighth season, has an
increasingly loyal following, exemplified by
viewers such as Brian, Gillian and Gary. The
program started in a late, late-night time slot
with - among other offerings - the literary
lectures by Robert Adams. It is now an established
part of our weekend schedule, airing at 4pm on
Saturday, with a repeat broadcast on Sunday, also
at 4:00 pm. As TVO's educational mandate grew, so
did the concept for BIG IDEAS, explains producer
Wodek Szemberg: "We have recognized from the
passionate viewer response that there was a real
niche for this kind of unapologetically
intellectual programming." BIG IDEAS podcasts are
among the most popular TVO web offerings.
"BIG IDEAS is a showcase of ideas that shape our
public debates. At their best the lectures
featured on the program expose us to the differing
ways of defining what matters and how that affects
our understanding of the world as it is and as it
is likely to be," adds Szemberg. "Each age has a
set of questions by which it defines itself. If,
50 years from now, someone came across a list of
BIG IDEAS shows, they would have a pretty good
idea of what people thought about and debated in
the early 2000s."
By nature of its lecture format, pacing and
inquisitive approach, it is the antithesis of the
prevailing sound-bite television norm. Engaging,
articulate speakers stand behind lecterns across
the province addressing audiences - a stark,
on-air aesthetic running counter to fast edits and
whizzy sound effects. The simple, bold concept, a
victory of substance over style, has found an
appreciative following. The success of this public
television offering is testimony to our viewers
need for nothing but intelligent discussion with
perhaps a dash of personality and humour. At a
time when much television programming induces in
many viewers feelings of guilt, BIG IDEAS is as
guilt-free television experience as it is possible
to imagine.
BIG IDEAS offers a variety of thought-provoking
topics which range across politics, culture,
economics, art history, science.... The program
has introduced Ontario viewers to the impressive
brainpower of people like Niall Ferguson on
American empire, Daniel Libeskind on architecture,
Robert Fisk on the Middle East, George Steiner on
the demise of literacy, Camille Paglia on
aesthetic education, Tariq Ramadan on being a
Western Muslim, Noam Chomsky on U.S. politics,
Leon Kass on dying, Janice Stein on accountability
and governance.
The public face of the program is Andrew Moodie,
who assumed the hosting duties for BIG IDEAS on
January 7, 2006. You may recognize him as one of
the three jurors who helped us to come up with the
10 finalists in 2005's Best Lecturer Competition,
or you may know him as a gifted actor and
playwright.
TVO's
Big Ideas website:
http://www.tvo.org/TVOsites/WebObjects/TvoMicrosite.woa?bigideas
