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In today’s The Conversation Canada, you will likely learn something you may not have known: Sperm donation websites are the Ubers and Airbnbs of the fertility world. But why are they so popular? Nicole Bergen of the University of Ottawa explains.
D.T. Cochrane of York University argues today in favour of a wealth tax on those whose industries contributed to climate change. The tax would put a price on past emissions and could be used to mitigate the negative effects of poverty, including vulnerability to climate change.
Nuclear command and control – the computer systems, networks and procedures – are at risk from cybersecurity threats, according to Lauren J. Borja and MV Ramana of the University of British Columbia.
We also have a deeply personal story today from Gerald Walton of Lakehead University, who once underwent gay conversion therapy. In 2018, Hollywood released two films depicting youth forced into Christian ex-gay conversion therapy programs, and Walton issues a passionate appeal to outlaw such tactics.
Finally, are you making reservations today for a weekend restaurant outing? Lily Lin of Simon Fraser University has some fascinating research: Heterosexual male diners can be particularly swayed by the attractiveness of their servers.
Enjoy!
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While media portrayals of online sperm donation often portray “rogue breeders” or “super sperm,” research reveals that the real men who do this are motivated to help others.
(Shutterstock)
Nicole Bergen, University of Ottawa
Sperm donation websites are the Ubers and Airbnbs of the fertility world. But why are they so popular? New research explains the reasons why some men donate.
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A forest fire works it way through a wooded area in Saskatchewan in May 2018. High-income nations have benefitted enormously from fossil fuels and the wealthy should now foot the bill to combat climate change.
Joanne Francis/Unsplash
D.T. Cochrane, York University, Canada
A wealth tax would put a price on past emissions and could be used to mitigate the negative effects of poverty, including vulnerability to climate change.
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A 3D rendering of a command centre interior.
(Shutterstock)
Lauren J. Borja, University of British Columbia; MV Ramana, University of British Columbia
Nuclear command and control - the computer systems, networks and procedures - is at risk from cybersecurity threats.
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A scene from ‘Boy Erased,’ released this month. The film depicts Christian conversion therapy, something the author has experienced and strongly recommends be outlawed in Canada and globally.
Focus pictures
Gerald Walton, Lakehead University
In 2018, Hollywood released two films depicting youth forced into Christian ex-gay conversion therapy programs. A survivor of these programs tells the story.
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Research suggests male diners respond more favourably to restaurant meals if they consider their female server attractive.
(Shutterstock)
Lily Lin, Simon Fraser University
Heterosexual male diners can be particularly swayed by the attractiveness of their servers. Good food will taste better and lousy food will taste worse in the presence of attractive female servers.
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Arts
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Ryna Ordynat, Monash University
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is an enduring classic for girls, soon to be a major Hollywood film. Yet many of the book's themes and morals were imposed by the author's father.
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Politics
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Jennifer Mathers, Aberystwyth University
Several states now have their first female senator and more than 100 women will enter the House of Representatives.
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Culture + Society
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Warren Sanderson, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York); Sergei Scherbov, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA); Simone Ghislandi, Bocconi University
Most researchers use the UN's Human Development Index to measure each country's progress, but that system has flaws. A new, simplified index aims to do it better.
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