Culture

a white coffin in the middle of a lush forest

Alternative funeral options are changing how we honor our dead

A small, yet growing number of people are starting to choose funeral options outside traditional burial or cremation.

Science fiction books that predicted the future with terrifying accuracy

Science fiction writers have anticipated a variety of modern inventions, from cars to organ transplants. Some books barely seem like fiction.

Tim Brinkhof

Psychology

The most undervalued problem-solving tool? Lateral thinking.

Lateral thinking is a way of approaching problems. It deliberately forgoes obvious approaches in favor of oblique or unexpected ones.

Matt Davis

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.

Series| Catalysts

Racing out of homelessness

5:47

This running club that meets at 5:45am is helping the homeless transform their lives.

Series| Catalysts

Stopping gang violence with love

4:23

In partnership with Stand Together

This nonprofit is doing the impossible - finding the 10% of gang members responsible for 90% of the crime, and leading them to successful, positive lives.

Sections

Video

Freethink

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