Society

Ancient technology that was centuries ahead of its time

These forward-thinking inventions are often called “ahead of their time.” They are reflections of the ingenuity of their civilizations.

Tim Brinkhof

Building Community

More Americans than ever have no friends. Here are 5 steps to make more friends.

The last decade has seen a steep drop in adult friendships and a worrying increase in loneliness. Is this the cost of our modern life?

Elizabeth Gilbert

Psychology

The secrets of cooperation

Most people care what others think of them. In many situations, that can be leveraged for the common good — cooperation.

Bob Holmes | Knowable Magazine

Social Entrepreneurs

How to build an inclusive economy

6:59

In partnership with Skoll Foundation

Our economy was designed to exclude and exploit people of color. These entrepreneurs are working to level the scales.

Freethink Team

Urban Living

Startup is turning abandoned houses into affordable homes

The startup nonprofit Parity is renovating abandoned houses in Baltimore and then selling them to locals at affordable prices.

Kristin Houser

Urban Living

“Agrihood” puts a farm in the center of Silicon Valley housing

An “agrihood” under construction in Santa Clara, CA, will give low-income residents access to cheap produce grown onsite.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

“Violence interrupters” combat crime from lawn chairs

Groups of violence interrupters are spending time in dangerous neighborhoods so they can be present to defuse potentially violent situations.

Kristin Houser

Series| Catalysts

Hacking the child brain: The 5 step process to unlock every kid’s potential

5:25

In partnership with Stand Together

The biggest myth in education is that some kids are destined for greatness and others aren’t.

Stephen Johnson

Homelessness

Tiny home village offers services for homeless people

Albuquerque, New Mexico opened a tiny home village to give homeless people shelter and a chance to get back on their fee

Teresa Carey

Criminal Justice

Ex-felon helps former prisoners launch careers in tech

The Underdog Devs nonprofit helps former prisoners make the connections they need to secure jobs in the technology industry

Kristin Houser

Activism

Your airline miles can help Afghans escape the Taliban

To help Afghans escape the Taliban, people have donated millions of airline miles to a nonprofit that secures flights for refugees.

Kristin Houser

Activism

Military vets lead “Digital Dunkirk” to evacuate Afghan allies

U.S. military vets are leading a “Digital Dunkirk” to help extract fellow citizens and Afghan allies from a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Kristin Houser

Education

Meet the leaders fixing our broken education system

Watch

In partnership with Stand Together

Meet the leaders shaping the future of education in our newest series, created with Stand Together.

Sections

Video

Freethink

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