23andMe hack exposes gaps in Canadian health data protection: A call for change
And as it turns out, the title of its cinematic partner may also have been the most accurate description of 23andMe's corporate practices.
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Winnipeg Free Press
13 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Despite cancellation, Colbert's deft late-night punches will continue to land
Opinion Getting hit in the funny bone is painful, so last week's news about the firing of Stephen Colbert really hurt. He's a funny guy, and funniness is not just good right now. It's necessary. But there are other reasons this comedy cancellation feels bad. On July 17, Colbert announced that his contract would not be renewed and that CBS would shut down the entire Late Show in May. This came three days after the 61-year-old host used his monologue to call out CBS's decision to pay US$16 million to settle Donald Trump's lawsuit — seen by most legal experts as meritless — against 60 Minutes. Stephen Colbert (Scott Kowalchyk / CBS) In his comic bit, Colbert implied the payment was meant to smooth the way for the Trump administration's approval of the US$8-billion merger of CBS parent company Paramount Global with Skydance Media. According to Colbert, 'the technical name in legal circles' for this action is a 'big, fat bribe.' The timing of the cancellation announcement and CBS's insistence that it was 'purely a financial decision' have led to a lot of talk. There's talk about the economics of a changing entertainment landscape and the conflicts of interest that can arise as media ownership is absorbed into increasingly massive corporate conglomerates. There's talk about Trump using the power of the American presidency as a form of financial extortion to crack down on the free expression of law firms, universities and media outlets he despises. Finally, there's talk about the real value — beyond dollars and cents — of comedy, especially in our fraught era. While the reasons behind CBS's decision might not be purely financial, there are economic issues at play. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert employs about 200 people, costs about US$100 million to produce annually and reportedly lost about US$40 million last year. There are other numbers, though: Colbert currently leads the late-night ratings, giving his network some much-needed pop-culture currency. The Late Show certainly generates more buzz than, say, Tracker, the CBS primetime show that Colbert has been gently mocking for two seasons. (I only know of the existence of Tracker, about a 'lone-wolf survivalist' who uses his skills to find missing persons, because of Colbert's jokes about it. And I suspect I'm not alone.) Still, while Colbert might win the late-night ratings race, it's also true late night's overall audience is a dwindling demographic. After the mid-20th-century heyday of Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, the snarkier David Letterman captured and held a younger audience for a while, but viewership for network television has been steadily declining in recent years, as have ad revenues. (And I don't really have any right to complain here. I have never watched the whole show on the television box at 11:35 p.m. Like most people, I catch up on late-night monologues on YouTube the next day.) These bottom-line financial issues are just one part of a bigger problem, however, now that CBS has gotten into a Trumpy quagmire that involves both the serious news show 60 Minutes and The Late Show, which often covers some of the same ground except with prop comedy. When networks are owned by huge parent companies, it becomes much more likely that the journalistic imperative to serve the public interest will clash with the business interests of shareholders. The proposed merger between Paramount and Skydance involves two Succession-style billionaire dynasties with all kinds of holdings, so it's no surprise things are getting sticky. Running an effective news program — or even a comedy show that comments on politics and current events — needs to be rooted in the belief democracy requires informed citizens. Colbert's commitment to the American experiment is deeply, deeply earnest, which is why he can be so funny about it. Not everyone is laughing, of course. While the Trump admin likes to complain about 'cancel culture,' it seems to love actual cancellations. After Colbert's announcement, Trump proclaimed on social media, 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,' while hinting that Jimmy Kimmel is 'NEXT to go.' The White House also issued a statement about The View after co-host Joy Behar suggested Trump was jealous of Obama. With all the corporate capitulation going on, Trump's attacks on TV hosts could have a chilling effect on free speech. Colbert, having been fired already, seems to be well positioned to talk back. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. He has a staff of good comedy writers. His delivery is nimble, his timing is deft. But more than that, he has a particular comic vibe that's very effective against Trump. His style is precise, even prim, at times. He's got that adorably dorky Lord of the Rings obsession. He has nice manners. While the shamelessness of Donald Trump means his scandals practically come pre-satirized, there's something about Colbert's approach — sharp but not cheap — that punctures that self-sealing bubble. When Colbert says of Trump, 'I don't care for him,' it lands. And this last week, as Colbert started off his monologue with his usual intro — saying, 'I'm your host Stephen Colbert,'— the roar of response from the live audience was palpable, suggesting good things for his inevitable future podcast. Trump has been dealing with a lot of unintended consequences in recent days. He might end up being less than happy about the Colbert firing. Lame-duck politicians struggle to get anything done. Outgoing comedians, on the other hand, can do a whole lot. Alison GillmorWriter Studying at the University of Winnipeg and later Toronto's York University, Alison Gillmor planned to become an art historian. She ended up catching the journalism bug when she started as visual arts reviewer at the Winnipeg Free Press in 1992. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Much Rewind launches on YouTube as archive of MuchMusic's celebrity interviews
TORONTO – MuchMusic's deep library of celebrity interviews has found a new home on YouTube. Bell Media says it recently launched Much Rewind as the official public archive of pop culture moments that once aired on the nation's music station. Early uploads to the YouTube channel include Much VJ interviews with Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera and Eminem. Also added over the past week were Master T's interview with late R&B singer Aaliyah and Bill Welychka's stairway chat with notoriously prickly Oasis brother Noel Gallagher. MuchMusic head Dave Krikst says the YouTube channel will be updated every weekday with a digitally restored interview pulled from the vaults. He says shorter clips from some interviews will be posted on Instagram and TikTok. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.
The Province
2 days ago
- The Province
Biohacker who injected his son's blood wants to sell his anti-aging business to build a new religion
The most measured man on the planet is considering selling his anti-aging supplement company to focus on his new religion: 'Don't Die' In what Bryan Johnson described in a video posted to YouTube as one of the sweetest and most emotional experiences of his life, the entrepreneur was infused with plasma extracted from a litre of blood taken from his son's body. Photo by Bryan Johnson / Instagram Tech entrepreneur and longevity crusader Bryan Johnson is thinking of ditching his 'pain-in-the-ass' anti-aging nutrition and supplements company to focus on his 'Don't Die' movement, a community of likeminded biohackers 'united in defeating all causes of human and planetary death.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors In a lengthy interview with Wired, the 47-year-old California multimillionaire said he is 'so close' to shutting down or selling Blueprint, a wellness company devoted to 'maximally slowing' aging and reversing aging that's already occurred. 'I've been talking to people about this. I don't need the money, and it's a pain-in-the-ass company,' Johnson told Wired's Katie Drummond. Johnson said Blueprint evolved from his own personal search for a clean, low-in-heavy-metals protein powder into a business venture that was just 'trying to do people a solid. The problem is now people see the business and give me less credibility on the philosophy side. I will not make that trade off … So yeah, I don't want it.' Here's what to know about Johnson, Blueprint, his new religion and why he believes a crude AI copy of Bryan already exists. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Johnson, who told Wired he grew up poor ('My mom made my clothes') and remained so until he was 34, made a vast sum after selling his mobile payment processing platform to PayPal for a reported US$800 million, according to Fortune. The self-described most measured human on the planet, Johnson takes 40 odd vitamins and supplements daily as well as hundreds of daily measurements of his heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and other body organs so that they may 'speak for themselves what they need to be in their ideal state.' In 2023, Johnson, his then 17-year-old son and Johnson's father participated in a multi-generational plasma exchange. Johnson received plasma from a litre of blood siphoned from his son at a Texas spa in the hope his son's blood would make him younger. The plasma swap apparently had a null effect: In January, Johnson posted on X that he was no longer injecting his son's blood and had 'upgraded' to another controversial plasma protocol. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I am no longer injecting my son's blood. I've upgraded to something else: total plasma exchange. Steps: 1. Take out all blood from body 2. Separate plasma from blood 3. Replace plasma with 5% albumin & IVIGHere's my bag of plasma. Who wants it? 🧵 — Bryan Johnson (@bryan_johnson) January 28, 2025 Johnson eats all the day's food before noon and sticks to a strict high-fibre, 'veggies and legumes,' no alcohol, no sugar diet that makes him feel sharper while avoiding 'post meal dead zones,' he's shared on X. Last year, in a therapy dubbed 'Project Baby Face,' Johnson attempted to restore volume he's lost on his face from a calorie-reduced diet with fat injections in his temple, cheeks and chin. He didn't have enough of is own body fat so he used donor fat. It didn't go well: 'Immediately following the injections, my face began to blow up,' Johnson posted on Instagram. 'And then it got worse, and worse, and worse until I couldn't even see,' a severe allergic reaction. What is Project Blueprint? Johnson has explained how, In 2021, 'I endeavoured to figure out proximity to longevity escape velocity. How far away are we from one year of chronological time passing and one staying the same age biologically? I called this Project Blueprint.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He set out with his team to build an algorithm that would help him not die. Blueprint sells 'longevity' supplements, mixes, capsules, powders, snacks, travel packs and biomarker testing kits. In response to a New York Times story on Blueprint published earlier this year, Johnson told Wired the story 'painted it like we are in some kind of emergency financial situation. That is not the case. We are break-even, and I've said that publicly many times. We've had profitable months; we've had loss months. I've been very clear: We priced or products at the exact level to basically be break-even. Additional margin is just not worth it to me.' Bryan Johnson attends the 'I Am Human' screening at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival on May 2, 2019 in New York City. Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival Does Bryan Johnson think he's going to die? When asked by Wired to respond true or false to the statement that at some point in the future he will no longer be alive, Johnson, who sports a 'broomstick-straight posture and pallid complexion,' as per Men's Health's Jason Rogers, responded in the negative. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Humans 'have this real possibility of extending our lifespans to some unknown horizon. So that's extension,' Johnson said. 'But we also have the ability to begin moving ourselves to computational systems. So currently, in a very crude form, I have a Bryan AI that has digested everything I've ever said.' 'You do currently have this,' Wired asked. 'I do,' Johnson responded. 'And that Bryan AI is pretty good,' he said. 'When you give birth to superintelligence, you can start extending lifespans to some unknown horizon: 200 years, 1,000 years, 10,000 years. Millions of years. We don't know,' Johnson told Wired. 'When that happens, the entire game of humanity shifts from that singular focus on wealth accumulation and status and prestige to existence. Now, embedded in that existence, we may still play games of power, but it will be conditioned that existence itself is the highest virtue.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In March, Johnson announced that he was 'building a religion' that would soon become history's 'fastest-growing ideology.' Don't Die or DD, 'means something different to everyone,' Johnson writes on DD's website, where people are invited to 'join or die.' Among its goals, that earth be 'a sustainable planet for those who choose life, and to secure the future of human existence with the rise of artificial intelligence.' Step 1: 'Identify the source of death,' meaning biological aging. Step 2: 'State your goal,' ideally to 'personally achieve age escape velocity where one year passes and I remain the same biological age.' According to Johnson, 5,000 people have so far committed to DD's 'Self Experimentation Study,' rigorously measuring their biomarkers, while 127 leaders have launched 'Don't Die' communities in their city. National Post Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks Hockey Soccer Hockey
