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

Criminal Justice

The law enforcement unit that responds to a crisis before it happens

The Maplewood mental health unit anticipates 911 calls and circumvents them before they happen.

Teresa Carey

Computer Science

Keeping democracy safe in the 2020 election

6:43

In partnership with Skoll Foundation

Here’s how election officials and volunteers across the country are working around the clock to ensure a free, fair, and safe Election Day.

Doug Dais

New VR movie lets you play god to a planet of AIs

In the new VR movie “Agence,” artificially intelligent characters respond to the actions of the viewer in unpredictable ways.

Kristin Houser

History

The hidden history in Black genealogy

7:31

In partnership with Ancestry

This team is restoring generations of overlooked African American genealogy, and people are discovering family histories they never knew they had.

Doug Dais

Coronavirus

Truffle pomme fondue sound tasty? Visit this fine-dining drive-thru.

The Resy Drive-Thru could help the restaurant industry survive the pandemic by serving as a creative new revenue stream for fine-dining chefs.

Kristin Houser

Accessibility

Playgrounds are boring. Here’s how to make them fun again

5:45

One father in Portland, Oregon is helping design the parks of the future with inclusive playground equipment that makes play accessible to all.

Doug Dais

Global Development

The most advanced digital government in the world

5:26

Estonia was the first country to hold a nationwide election online, and the first to declare internet access a human right. Will other countries follow suit?

Doug Dais

Education

Google announces cheaper alternatives to college degrees

Google’s new certificate program provides alternatives to college degrees that are cheaper to obtain, but potentially worth the same in the job market.

Kristin Houser

Healthcare

Can a wellness app really change someone’s life?

5:21

In partnership with Virgin Pulse

America has the highest per capita health spending in the world, and yet, worse population health outcomes than most other developed nations. This wellness app gets to the heart of the issue.

Doug Dais

Accessibility

Blind YouTuber shows tech industry how to be more inclusive

Visually impaired YouTuber Kristy Viers has created a channel where she demonstrates the assistive technology features on her devices.

Kristin Houser

Sections

Video

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