Search Engine

Progressive Hypocrisy

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:00:00 EST

America's trade embargo against Iran no longer applies to Twitter, Gmail, or dozens of other Internet communication tools, because the U.S. government wants protesters to use them for political speech. But encryption tools that protect protesters are still forbidden. The policy is contradictory, hypocritical - and a step in the right direction. Jesse blogs at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Enemy of the Internet

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:00 EST

What's the biggest threat to the Internet? Chinese hackers? Russian Botnets? Nope, it's a guy named Mike. Jesse blogs at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Quit Your Day Job

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:00:00 EST

Jason Scott has a weird hobby: archiving decades-old floppy disks, text games and BBS files. When he lost his day job, his weird hobby became his weird occupation. Jason explains how he funded "The Jason Scott Sabbatical".

Video Podcast #4: The Luddite

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST

Hey, can you come in here for a sec? I've done it again .... Jesse blogs at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Why America Should Blacklist Itself

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST

Canada remains on America's "priority watch list" of copyright scofflaws. But as lawyer Howard Knopf illustrates, Canada's intellectual property laws are already tougher than America's, and any list of copyright laggards would have to include the U.S. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Malaysia's Internet Schizophrenia

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST

Malaysia's government warned that the Internet will erode its people's culture - yet their prime minister is on Twitter. Jennifer Pak reports from Kuala Lumpur on the country's love/hate relationship with the Web. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Video Podcast #3: Save the Newspaper!

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST

How will mankind survive if we let the Internet kill newspapers? Classifieds, crosswords, comics and ads MUST be delivered to our doors each day or society will collapse.

CBC and iCopyright

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:00:00 EST

If you want to quote a CBC.ca story on your blog, the CBC wants $250 a month. The CBC also wants you to inform on those who dont. Or so it seemed until Canadians demanded answers.

Obama Offline

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:01:00 EST

One year later, how is Obama fulfilling his promise of being America's first "Tech-President"? He isn't, says TechPresident.com editor Micah Sifry, who explains how the new administration stopped talking with its online base, and started talking at them. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Video Podcast #2: Free Hoder

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

Canadian blogger Hossein Derakhshan has been rotting in an Iranian prison for over a year, and hasn't been charged with anything. Our government doesn't seem to care much about him - but you should. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Freedom to Connect

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

Hillary Clinton's sweeping speech on Internet Freedom: was it an American dream of a connected globe, or a harsh warning to China? Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Google vs. China: The Story Behind the Story

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

Why is Google really threatening to leave China? Is it due to cyber attacks? Censorship? Is it a business decision? Probably all three, explains Boxun News editor Watson Meng. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Video Podcast #1: Does the Internet Make You Dumber?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

What does the Internet do to your brain? Intellectuals and writers such as Doris Lessing, Brian Cathcart and Nicholas Carr argue that the web is making us stupider, killing our attention spans, and filling our brains with inanities. Jesse Brown proves these points by arguing against them. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Filesharing on Trial

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

Harvard Law Professor Charles Nesson fought the music industry and lost. This week, a candid interview with Nesson on why he pissed off the judge, and what he's going to do next. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

No Such Thing as a Journalist

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

The Supreme Court of Canada's recent libel ruling isn't just a victory for journalists - it unshackles every voice on the Internet, and reminds us that in the eyes of the law, journalists don't actually exist. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Sympathy for the Record Industry

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST

The music labels are sued for pirating music and the video game industry embraces pirates. It's a topsy-turvy Search Engine Christmas. God Bless us, everyone! Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

ACTA-Tag!

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST

Industry Minister Tony Clement won't talk about the secrets of ACTA. Instead, he's pointed curious critics to Michael Geist's website. This week, Michael explains why he's the wrong man for that job. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

MicroFOX?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST

If Rupert Murdoch pulls his news empire's content from Google and sells exclusive "searchability" to Microsoft, what will happen to the web? All outcomes considered in an interview with The Globe and Mail's Mathew Ingram. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Madoff's Geeks

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST

Only five people have been arrested for Bernie Madoff's giant Ponzi scheme: Madoff himself, two top business associates, and now, two computer programmers. Can fraud exist anymore without geeks in the inner circle? This week, questions about the role of IT in financial crisis and collapse. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Uncle Spam Wants You!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST

American military recruiters have moved online, using web quizzes, Xbox shooters and sophisticated data mining to woo young recruits. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

ACTA: WTF?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST

Between secret talks and leaked docs, word has spread that U.S.-made copyright laws are headed to Canada through the back door. Is it true? A call for answers. Plus: why cops can't solve cybercrime (and how they could). Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Blogfather, Part II

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST

Canadian Hossein Derakhshan brought blogging to Iran, reversed his politics, made enemies on both sides, got arrested and hasn't been heard from since- until now. While "Hoder" remains in a Tehran prison, his brother Hamed brings news, breaking his family's silence. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Neutral Throttle? An interview with CRTC Chairman Konrad von Finckenstein

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST

What are the new rules of the Internet? Jesse asks CRTC Chairman Konrad von Finckenstein to explain the Net Neutrality ruling. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Trouble with Larry

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:01:01 EST

Larry Lessig is against transparency. Or is he? Open Government guru Carl Malamud helps Jesse parse Lessig's muddy missive. Also, from Trafigura to Yahoo: everything that's right and wrong with online journalism.

Section 13, Hate Speech, and the Streisand Effect

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST

Section 13, the "Internet hate speech" law, has been deemed unconstitutional. It has also proven to be counter-effective, exponentially amplifying the ideas it attempted to silence. Also on the show, the Swartz identity: how a young open gov hacktivist became the target of an FBI investigation. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Open Source Vagina

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST

The porn biz is losing profits to piracy, but has yet to resort to lawsuits against filesharers. Instead, porn is innovating. One idea is the RealTouch, a physical "sex simulator" with digital connections. Jesse explores the possibility of open source sex with a RealTouch spokesman. Also on the show: a response from CIRA to last week's report. Mature Audiences Only. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Are You Gay? (The Internet Would Like to Know)

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EST

"Gaydar" software from MIT and queer-bashing Islamist radicals trolling Iraq's chatrooms are making it increasingly difficult to hide one's sexuality, and increasingly dangerous to be gay. Also: how CIRA, the non-profit "dot-ca" domain people get 10 million dollars a year. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

China's Homicidal Net-Addict Bootcamps

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EST

At least one Chinese teen has been killed in a Chinese Internet-addict "rehab" centre ? Jennifer Pak in Beijing reports. Also, did a German rap group cause another 9/11? Nope, it was just another hoax. Post your comments on the Search Engine blog: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Ira Glass on the Internet

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EST

"This American Life" is the #1 rated podcast in America and one of the first major podcasts ever. In this first weekly episode of Search Engine, Jesse interviews Ira Glass about the success of TAL online and the impact of the Internet on public radio. Post your comments on the new Search Engine blog at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

No Show This Week

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:01:00 EST

The official TVO relaunch of Search Engine happens next week - Tuesday September, 15 and will examine the question: What is the internet doing to public radio? Jesse interviews his radio hero, "This American Life's" Ira Glass. Details and links for the Search Engine Upgrade Party are at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Is Facebook Illegal?

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST

As Canada's Privacy Commissioner considers taking Facebook to Federal Court, the possibility looms that Canada will be the first country to deem Facebook illegal. Privacy lawyer David TS Fraser discusses what this means for Facebook, the Canadian Internet, and for privacy itself.

The Human Flesh Search Engine

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST

In the absence of a fair and open judicial system, Chinese Netizens have become digital vigilantes. Also: why Ignatieff should give his books away for free.

File Sharing IS Fair Use

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:01:00 EST

As Canada considers Copyright, America fights about it: Harvard Law Prof. Charles Nesson brings to trial the case of a downloader fighting back against the music industry. Search Engine interviews Nesson and hears his controversial argument. Search Engine blog is available at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Like Iran, Minus the Technology

Tue, 13 Jul 2009 23:59:00 EST

A report from Beijing on the Uyghur-Han race riots, plus a response to the National Post on Net Neutrality. Search Engine blog is available at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

No Expectation of Privacy

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EST

An Interview with Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan. Also: bad Tweets from Iran and good news from Ottawa. Search Engine blog is available at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Is Net Neutrality Getting Pwned?

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EST

The case against "Idea Bundling" our digital politics. Also: how to spy on North Korea - an interview with Google-mapping amateur spy Curtis Melvin.

Who's Copying Who?

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EST

Is Canada the world's worst file-swapper or is something rotten with our research? Think tank CEO Anne Golden responds to charges of plagiarism. Search Engine blog is available at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

The Origin of Cory Doctorow

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:01:00 EST

Drug Data Ransom, Cory's TVO roots, and a special announcement. Search Engine blog is available at: http://www.tvo.org/searchengine

Search Engine Coming to TVO

Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 EST

Welcome to the new home of Search Engine, hosted by Jesse Brown. Thanks for subscribing - new episodes are on the way soon!