Culture

A black and white image split into two sections: a half globe on the left and a crowd of people on the right, with the text "More Humans Are Better" in the center and the number 3 in the top right corner.

The overlooked virtues of a crowded world

In a world of rising cynicism, a celebration of our capacity to create, adapt, and thrive.

Jason Crawford

A graphic titled "Humanity vs. Nature" showing a human evolutionary timeline, biocentrism, ecocentrism, and ethos depictions of nature, including a tree, a bird, and marine life.

Why harmony with nature is a myth

Slowing growth and limiting development isn’t living in harmony with nature—it is surrendering in a battle.

Jason Crawford

Entertainment

How the internet changed news, according to The Onion

Freethink spoke to Onion staffers about parodying news from the print era into the digital age.

Tim Brinkhof and Stephen Johnson

Mental Health

This artist heals wounds of violence with tattoos

Brian Finn tattoos over scars from self-harm, violence, or human trafficking for free or at a discounted rate in order to help people heal.

Teresa Carey

Books

Generalist vs. specialist: Which is the best path to success?

5:47

How many Mozarts and Tiger Woods are there in any given generation? A generalist himself, bestselling author David Epstein says you have to give yourself permission to choose the wrong pursuit or work in a job that’s not your ultimate dream career. These small “failures” are actually major learning experiences that help you inch closer to greatness.

Series| Catalysts

Women supporting women to overcome the trauma of abuse

5:51

In partnership with Stand Together

When domestic violence survivors share their stories, they feel empowered and find their voice. At Leap to Success, women have the opportunity to do both, forming a clear path to healing from the trauma of abuse.

Paleontology

What dinosaur poop tells us about ancient life

Coprolite, aka dinosaur poop, is giving scientists a surprising glimpse into the world of the dinosaurs. Learn what industry leader Karen Chin has been learning from dino dung.

Tien Nguyen

Art

Chico MacMurtrie's art transcends the southern border

If all goes to plan, six robotic sculptures will arc across the border dividing El Paso and Ciudad Juárez in the fall of 2020.

B. David Zarley

Languages

A language goes extinct every two weeks. here’s a plan to save them.

Volunteers worldwide are documenting the world's rarest languages in a project called Wikitongues.

Teresa Carey

Daan Roosegaarde is a Dutch architect on a mission to create a more efficient and beautiful world through innovative

Sustainability

Merging nature and sustainable design: An interview with Daan Roosegaarde

From towers that create pockets of clean air to a luminescent bike path that glows like children's ceiling stars, Daan Roosegaarde's entire practice is centered around the beauty of living with nature and removing pollution from urban life.

B. David Zarley

Accessibility

Dad builds amusement park for daughter

6:40

This dad couldn’t find a theme park that worked for his daughter with special needs - so he built one.

Food

Clean meat: A new protein is making its way onto the chef's table

Clean meat is becoming a more widely known, and much loved food category. But do you expect to see it on your gourmet plate any time soon? These chefs think yes.

B. David Zarley

Series| Catalysts

A school made for homeless children

6:08

In partnership with Stand Together

When a child faces chaos at home, it's impossible to learn. This school is doing whatever it takes to help homeless students and their families create better lives.

Sections

Video

Freethink

We focus on solutions: the smartest people, the biggest ideas, and the most ground breaking technology shaping our future.