St. Valentine's Day: Where's the magic?

It’s Valentine’s Day. Regardless of whether you’re single or in a relationship, whether you love the Hallmark holiday or abhor it, you’re in for a fascinating read today in The Conversation Canada on customs and superstitions surrounding love and sex in medieval times. Frank Klaassen of the University of Saskatchewan writes: “With few exceptions, the goals of medieval magic were identical to these personal growth manuals from the 1970s, and fulfilment in love tops the list.” Same goes, he adds, for today’s men’s and women’s magazines.

The Olympics are in full swing, but let’s turn now to another kind of competition involving faster, higher, stronger in an entirely different context: Marijuana. With Canada set to legalize weed, Michael Armstrong of Brock University delves into whether government-approved cannabis can possibly compete with the black market variety on price, promotion and other important fronts.

David Webster of Bishop’s University has an interesting history lesson for us today regarding arms sales. Turns out, Canadian governments used to be much more careful about selling weapons to other nations - if those arms were going to be used against civilians, there would be no sale. No longer. Webster looks into how and why things changed.

Finally, we’re mid-flu season, and several of us at The Conversation Canada have been stricken in the past few weeks. Jason Tetro of the University of Guelph has tips on how to eradicate the flu virus from your home. Key takeaway: give your TV remote a good wipe!

Regards,

Scott White

Editor

Today's Featured Articles

Miniature of the duke of true love and his companions entertaining ladies. The Book of the Queen, c. 1410–1414, France (Paris), Harley 4431, f. 145 (Creative Commons)

The magic of love and sex

Frank Klaassen, University of Saskatchewan

A scholar of medieval magic discusses the hope in magical techniques for finding love.

Workers produce medical marijuana at Canopy Growth Corporation’s Tweed facility in Smiths Falls, Ont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Can government-approved pot beat street weed?

Michael J. Armstrong, Brock University

In competing with Canada's black markets, legal cannabis has potential strengths and weaknesses. Most flow directly from governments' policy choices.

The controversial $12-billion sale of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia has embroiled Justin Trudeau’s government in controversy. The vehicle in question is shown here at a news conference at a General Dynamics facility in London, Ont., in 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Spowart

Canada’s checkered history of arms sales to human rights violators

David Webster, Bishop's University

Canada used to be more careful about selling arms to countries that practised human rights violations. What happened?

Once a respiratory virus like influenza has entered your home or workplace, it is wise to treat the space like a hospital and practice infection prevention and control. (Shutterstock)

How to eradicate the flu virus from your home

Jason Tetro, University of Guelph

From face-touching to virus-contaminated electronic devices, a scientist offers some tips on eradicating the flu virus from your home.

Culture + Society

Environment + Energy

  • Delivering packages with drones might be good for the environment

    Constantine Samaras, Carnegie Mellon University; Joshuah Stolaroff, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

    Reducing the need for trucking by delivering some packages with electric drones could save fuel, and potentially carbon emissions. But how much and in what circumstances?

Health + Medicine