Michael Byers | The Walrus

Three athletes crouch in a starting position for a race while three suited officials observe behind them.

December 2019 / Sports

How the World Anti-Doping Agency Betrays Honest Athletes

November 13, 2019March 27, 2020 - by Michael Byers

When the highest authority on cheating is compromised, what happens to athletes who play by the rules?

The Rise and Fall of Toronto’s Classiest Con Man

May 29, 2017November 25, 2020 - by Michael Byers

James Regan swindled his way through the city’s monied classes. The problem was, he seemed to believe his own lies

Feature / July/August 2016

Stuck

July 20, 2016April 1, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Traffic is ruining our lives—but we can be saved

Feature / September 2015

Uber vs Taxi

September 24, 2015April 8, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Ride-sharing apps like Uber are revolutionizing the way we travel and cabs are struggling to keep up

June 2015 / Memoir

When Polio Walked the Earth

May 27, 2015April 11, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Notes on a forgotten disease

Feature / October 2014

When Killer Whales Got a Rebrand

October 6, 2014April 13, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Fifty years ago, killer whales became known as orcas—and launched the modern conservation movement

January/February 2014 / Television

Fool’s Gold

January 7, 2014April 14, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Panning Discovery Channel’s Klondike

March 2012 / Society

Brand Me

March 12, 2012December 15, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Gen Y personal branders are clogging Internet browsers with self-portraits, product endorsements, and the minutiae of their days. A Gen-Xer asks if we have any right to hate them

Books / March 2011

The Life Raft

March 12, 2011April 14, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Canada Reads is an essential way for publishers to sell books—but at what cost to literature?