The Canadian institute for advance research (Cifar) has been touring the country for over a month and has asked some of the most profound questions in the canadian research sphere. Finding answers to these questions, I believe, would radically redefine the direction of research projects in their respective fields.
Montreal welcomed three of the 12 featured researchers and asked the audience to vote on what they considered the biggest and most pressing question to answer.
All three projects have merit and deserve the full support of the institute but being able to vote for the "biggest" question is an attracting way to get people involved. I first discovered that Gerard Bouchard, who needs no introduction in Quebec for having co-presided the infamous commission on reasonable accomodation, is a highly charismatic speaker. I was hung to every word he pronounced and of course, it helped that his theory was sound and grounded.
What makes a society resilient? Well, it has to do with the myths a society develops. Bouchard explained every society has myths or strong belief systems that shape how they act in different situations. There are master and corresponding myths. The first class or myths are, as Bouchard claims, at the roots of a society, while the second class of myths evolve with times and then changing contexts in order to support the 'master myths'.
"The American Dream" is one the United States' most enduring myth. Polls have shown that americans significantly believe, for instance, that the poor are ultimately responsible for their fate and live the life they live because they want to or do not exhibit the will to change it. "The American Dream" is America's master myth, engraved in the tissue of its society.
Following Bouchard's logic, one can see how several american values can be directly linked to the idea that America is the "Land of Opportunities" (entrepreneurship, equality of rights, Patriotism).
In the second pitch, Dr Hugh Wilson asked : Can we build a brain? His presentation spoke of how advanced the human brain is with comparison to current computer technologies. Building an articifial brain requires the creation of learning algorithms that could adapt to its environment.
This question is straight out of science-fiction's repertoire. The Matrix and Skynet are constant reminders that this ambitious project could lead to undesirable consequences...
I found the presentation to be the least interesting. How can political institutions best promote peace and prosperity? was about wealth and struggle between societies in establishing their own values and culture without compromising others right to do so... Well, I'm not much into social science.
The Next Big Question is a solid brand on its own. I have attended a few of these events and I must say, I like the concept. It's all about the idea of bringing cutting edge canadian research under the mainstream light. I'm pretty sure there is enough interest for it to stand as much more than a yearly Canada-wide tour.
Following Bouchard's logic, one can see how several american values can be directly linked to the idea that America is the "Land of Opportunities" (entrepreneurship, equality of rights, Patriotism).
In the second pitch, Dr Hugh Wilson asked : Can we build a brain? His presentation spoke of how advanced the human brain is with comparison to current computer technologies. Building an articifial brain requires the creation of learning algorithms that could adapt to its environment.
This question is straight out of science-fiction's repertoire. The Matrix and Skynet are constant reminders that this ambitious project could lead to undesirable consequences...
I found the presentation to be the least interesting. How can political institutions best promote peace and prosperity? was about wealth and struggle between societies in establishing their own values and culture without compromising others right to do so... Well, I'm not much into social science.
The Next Big Question is a solid brand on its own. I have attended a few of these events and I must say, I like the concept. It's all about the idea of bringing cutting edge canadian research under the mainstream light. I'm pretty sure there is enough interest for it to stand as much more than a yearly Canada-wide tour.
