IDEAS in the Afternoon for April 2025
* Please note this schedule is subject to change.
Monday, April 7
CARLO ROVELLI ON GALILEO
Think of some of the 20th Century science's most momentous developments — Einstein's theory of relativity, quantum physics, finding evidence of black holes. If you trace the chain of discoveries that led to these breakthroughs back far enough, you'll end up with the Italian astronomer, physicist and inventor, Galileo Galilei. Renowned Italian physicist Carlo Rovelli, author of best-selling books like Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, explains how Galileo's discoveries and insights revolutionized science and helped usher in modernity — and how we can still learn a lot from him today.
Monday, April 14
LOSING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE
The idea that childhood should be a time of blissful ignorance about the adversities of life has a long history and a real impact on how we plan for and organize the lives of children. But what would happen if we swapped out the idea of innocence with the goal of justice? Could it be possible to better position childhood as a time of learning and growth but also truth and honesty?
Monday, April 21
RE-IMAGINING THE BORDER
A German, a Canadian, and an American walk onto the stage of the Centre Mont-Royal in Montréal, and try to agree on what's happening to the concept of a national border. They then set their imaginations to the task of picturing what borders should become, before the century is out. These conversants are Peter Altmaier, the German cabinet minister who ran his country's response to the 2015 "refugee crisis:" Julian Castro, U.S. secretary for housing under Barack Obama and current head of the U.S. Latino Community Foundation; and Ayelet Shachar, Canadian professor and author of The Shifting Border and The Birthright Lottery. IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed poses the questions.
Monday, April 28
EXPOSING CRIME AND CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD: ICIJ DIRECTOR GERALD RYLE
It's estimated that a significant percentage of the world's wealth is held in secret offshore accounts — between $21 and $32 trillion. How much of the world's wealth is ferreted away is hard to know. However in the past decade billions of these hidden stashes have been uncovered through the thorough work of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ retains a network of more than 290 of the top investigative journalists around the work. Some of its major investigations include Offshore Leaks, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, and Pandora Papers. These revealed the secrets of the rich and powerful and led to multiple arrests and official inquiries in more than 70 countries, and the resignations of the leaders of Pakistan, Iceland, and Malta. For the 2025 Dalton Camp Series, ICIJ Director Gerard Ryle is in conversation with IDEAS Host Nahlah Ayed.
