You are: How to reinvent the apartment building
You might be described an “optimistic realist.” You know the world is facing major problems, but you believe that human ingenuity, knowledge and research are leading to some promising solutions. You worry that too many people are engaging in either magical thinking or outright denial, and you wish you could somehow share your excitement about today’s entrepreneurs, thinkers and scientists and the new products, ideas and methods they’re trying out.
You are: Why you should make useless things
Your favorite kind of entertainment doesn’t come in the form of viral YouTube videos, snarky standup, or pop-culture memes (although all of those have their place in your life). Instead, you’re looking for something a bit harder to find: smart entertainment. As long as a talk tickles your gray matter and makes you smile, you are an equal-opportunity appreciator, enjoying everything from outrageous inventions to witty turns of phrase, from jaw-dropping magic tricks to comic advice.
You are: The story we tell about poverty isn’t true
You’re all too aware that the stories conveyed in newspapers and through cable news, news alerts and news feeds represent just some of the issues in the wider world, and you’re eager to find out about the real concerns that affect people’s lives around the globe. While you may feel angry or dejected when you learn about them, you strongly believe that such knowledge is necessary if they are to be effectively addressed.
You are: How to build and rebuild trust
“Work” is not a four-letter word for you; rather, it’s where you derive some of your greatest satisfaction … and you wish other people felt the same way you did. You like learning from the practices in different kinds of workplaces and thinking how you might possibly adapt them for your own. You’re interested in leadership not because of the status but because leading is a way of creating an organization where other people can thrive.
You are: Why design should include everyone
If you’re in a crowded place like a shopping mall or an airport, you tend not to get too bothered -- because you’re the type who is too busy observing people and trying to imagine what their lives are like. While you’re unlikely to pry into the lives of others, you are thrilled when you have the opportunity to hear someone who is very different from you talk about their own experiences and outlook.
You are: The surprisingly charming science of your gut
Curiosity is one of your defining traits. You are endlessly grateful that search engines exist, and you’ve tumbled down many a rabbit hole while seeking answers on a number of topics. You also delight in meeting people who are passionate about a particular field or hobby, because you feel enriched and energized when exposed to their knowledge and enthusiasm. You find the phrase “fun fact” to be unnecessary, because to you, facts are fun.
You are: A pro wrestler's guide to self-confidence
“Good enough” is a phrase that’s seldom used by you, because you like to think there’s almost always room for a person to improve. You are the rare soul who welcomes advice -- especially if it’s backed by evidence or research -- and you’re willing to give it a try. Afterwards, you’re happy to pass on what did and didn’t work, so other people can learn from your experience. You look forward to being a work in progress for the rest of your life.
You are: A love letter to realism in the time of grief
You’re fascinated by the not-so-neat day-and-night job we all share: that of being a human in the world. You’re especially inspired by people who’ve managed to rise above challenges and accomplish something special, be it large or small, and you like thinking about the factors and forces that help make life worth living. You’re good at spotting the beauty in any moment.