The History of Misinformation

Introducing "Big Tech"

Big Tech is a bi-weekly podcast that explores how emerging technologies are reshaping the world as we know it. Co-hosts David Skok and Taylor Owen, an AC regular, sit down with leading scholars, policy makers and entrepreneurs, to discuss technology's impact on society - for better or worse.  Season 2 is available now.   Subscribe on:  Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/big-tech/id1484910273  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3i7GpvRRKksv76DzCcB34J  or wherever you get your podcasts.

The History of Misinformation

In our series wrap, we trace the history of fake news. We start in 15th century Europe and end in the here and now. We talk to Dr. Jacob Solls who says that the cure to misinformation is more journalism. Society needs what it lost years ago: a strong fourth estate with a local presence.    Sources: Quartz, CNN, Fox News

Digital governance: where does Canada stand?

This episode, we talk to Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith about platforms and privacy - about whether his government will stand-up to big tech. We also talk to friend-of-the-pod, Taylor Owen about the rise of the so-called “splinternet”, a world wide web that looks different depending upon your zip code.

Election 43: how did we fare and where do we go from here?

Forty days later and the ballots are in: Canada will be helmed by a Liberal minority. In this episode, we look back at those forty days and ask -- how did we do in this age of disinformation? Did our institutions weather the storms? McGill’s Taylor Owen gives us his take of the election campaign. We then speak to Farhan Madani of Digital Public Square who has an idea of where engaged citizens need to go next.

Patents over plants: the intangible economy

This episode, we break down the rising “intangible economy”, what our guest Jim Balsillie says is our shared future. We learn what it is, what it values and who it rewards. We also visit StatsCanada and discover why the race to regulate is so fierce. We do what’s never been done before and put a price on Canadian data... The number is big.