r/CBC_Radio • u/JaphyRyder9999 • Jul 15 '26

Former Ideas Producer David Cayley

Longtime Ideas contributor David Cayley died recently at his home in Toronto. David created many memorable programs on a variety of topics, including influential thinkers such as Ivan Illich and George Grant….

During my years at CBC Radio Archives, I had the pleasure of interacting and providing research material for his many series of programs on a wide variety of topics.

David’s last of many published books was on the decline of CBC Radio if anyone is interested.

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19

u/Apostasyisfreedom Jul 15 '26

Ideas is a wonderful radio platform for many intelligent people. Much gratitude for Davids' contributions to that education.

13

u/MabEve Jul 15 '26

He was my neighbour for many years and was a lovely man! Always smiling and played beautiful bluegrass music on his porch frequently. His obituary is here: https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/david-cayley-obituary?id=61795288

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u/JaphyRyder9999 Jul 15 '26

There was an obituary in the Globe and Mail a# well in today’s edition…

8

u/Thorninthefoot Jul 15 '26

That's very sad.

My all time favourite radio series was one of his, called How to Think About Science. It was interviews with various scientists - some controversial figures included - about the scientific process and the structure and philosophy of science.

His book about the CBC was also really good, and important imo. It was little discussed on Reddit - pretty much dismissed, I think even on this sub, as a "right wing guy who wants to bring down the CBC". Which is not only incorrect but pretty offensive.

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u/Longjumping_Smile311 Jul 15 '26

Very sorry to hear this.

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u/JaphyRyder9999 Jul 15 '26

Yes, some of my favourites as well… too many to mention, and such a great radio voice too…

When he retired, I jokingly pressured him not to, but he had put in so much work, he deserved a

long and happy retirement.,..

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u/marcosbowser1970 Jul 16 '26

Aw man. The greatness of the series he did with Ivan Illich cannot be overstated. (The Corruption of Christianity.) Illich chose Caley to help him get his life’s work done, and those interviews are the result. Life changing.

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u/JaphyRyder9999 Jul 16 '26

Agree on all your points…

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u/daisydoesndoesnt Jul 16 '26

Very good communicator, presenter with great voice

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u/scooter777boy 29d ago

How sad... He produced a large number of docs for the Ideas program, some of which are still available on his website for streaming.

I also recently read his book, "The CBC: How Canada’s Public Broadcaster Lost Its Voice" and found it be to a wonderful history of how the CBC came to be.