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What are we doing here? Is there a higher purpose to the lives we lead? What does it mean to have a good life? What happens when we die? For millennia, people have been asking these central questions about what it is to be human. The search for answers and adherence to belief systems are crucial to how many people make sense of their pasts, live in the present, and envisio...
How does ballet strengthen the mind along with the body? Can Yo-Yo Ma help sixth graders learn earth science? How do the personal and political transform when they come together in performance? The below clips, which feature dance, music, and art pieces performed at the Aspen Ideas Festival, are tantalizing parts of whole sessions that explore how the arts can heal, educat...
Whether you love setting New Year’s resolutions or ignore them entirely, there’s still a certain mix of nostalgia and excitement over the ending of one year and the possibilities that lay ahead. We’ve gathered five big ideas that offer some food for thought as you head into 2024, including a new mindset for thinking about careers, a glimpse into the history of the cosmos,...
Leading on the Frontlines, a series from Aspen Ideas Now, features mayors and governors across the United States in candid discussions about how they're facing tough decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The conversations are led by CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.
Whether or not New Year’s resolutions are your thing, it’s still nice to pause and take stock of the year behind and the one ahead. We’ve gathered five ideas that have given us fresh perspectives to bring to 2023, including practical tips for better friendships, advice for talking to kids about their mental health, and how we can cultivate more awe and optimism in the year...
So many kids these days can be outspoken and inspiring, with world-changing ideas they’re ready to put into action. But in truth, we’ve not been great to the youth of today, leaving many of the most vulnerable behind and leaving the majority ill-prepared for the travails that are coming their way. Though it’s tempting to leave them the job of building the future, we first...
Rural communities were once the beating heart(land) of America, places of economic and social power. Today, they seem left to wither as dollars, workers, and priorities shift to the cities. Don’t write them off yet, though — there’s a growing movement that’s bringing innovation and energy to once-forgotten communities, and the reasons behind it are as much rational as nost...
If the 2016 US election felt volatile and vitriolic, the forecast for a cordial 2020 isn't looking good. The nomination process is dividing Democrats, Republicans are closing ranks around an embattled President Trump, and distrust of news media is at an all-time high. Is there hope for unity across political affiliations? Can we learn to trust journalists again? What are t...
From scientists, entrepreneurs, and journalists to politicians, artists, and youth activists, Aspen Ideas is privileged to engage with some of the brightest minds working to shape our collective future. Our blog is a place where we go behind the scenes to learn more about these incredible leaders and the work they do. Start with this curated collection of some of our favor...
With many students returning to school from the comfort of their living rooms, educators are using this unique period to address long-standing problems of equity.
Time on your hands? Looking to escape into learning? Dive deeply into a broad array of topics from Aspen Ideas. Discover how soul music became a soundtrack to some of our nation’s most defining moments. What role does the human microbiome play in inflammatory diseases? And, what is the universe made of and why don’t we know what it’s made of? Expand your perspective by lea...
Health workers often face grueling working conditions. They regularly confront trauma, work long hours, are exposed to physical danger, and must keep pace with the demands of a rapidly-evolving health care system. The COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified these challenges, leaving many workers burnt out. Learn how we can we better support those who care for us, from trainin...
When we tell the story of humankind, we tend to tell it through stories of the exceptional among us, be they visionaries or villains. But the famous are more than mere archetypes, and their complicated lives can give us inspiration for making the most of our own.
More and more, companies are embracing the concept of corporate purpose as Americans' perceptions of big business have shifted. While declaring a purpose beyond profit is a starting point, how do you actually deliver on it to drive positive change for communities and society?
Artificial intelligence is working its way deeper into our lives. Intelligent systems are reading and responding to human emotions, playing a critical role in medicine, and gathering vast amounts of data, often without us knowing. Does this kind of technology share our motivations, desires, or hopes for the future of humanity? How can big tech companies and users of AI ste...