Miscellaneous
One organization gives discarded laptops new life and a new home
This story was originally published on Truth Atlas. Before it happened, Becky Morrison never knew her love of African dance and a friend’s old laptop would help change the world. Becky, 33, is a producer who works on big budget projects like the NFL Halftime show and Hollywood blockbuster movies. Read More...
The filmmaker who became fascinated by an insect
The Magicicada is a sneaky insect that plagues North America once every seventeen years by crawling out of the ground by the millions. The insect is from the same family as the hemiptera, which includes plant lice– not exactly our favorite houseguests and reason enough not to give them much Read More...
Saving the fish will feed the world
Wild caught fish are one of the most environmentally sustainable proteins you can eat. Fish use less water to raise than chicken, pork, or beef, and has one of the smallest carbon footprints of all animal proteins. Despite being so environmentally friendly the yearly global fish catch has declined Read More...
Powering potential
Powering Potential is a non–profit that provides solar panels and computers to schools in rural Tanzania, which lacks sufficient textbooks, electricity, and has a shortage of qualified teachers. Powering Potential’s purpose is education through technology– giving schools in need the tech Read More...
The rise of Islamic feminism
Ziba Mir-Hosseini speaks passionately about her faith. She is Muslim, born in Iran. But she couldn’t accept the fact that as a woman she was not allowed to divorce her husband, under the terms of Islamic law. After she graduated from Cambridge University in the 1980s with a degree in Read More...
Contagiously optimistic: Lance Stranahan
Sometimes, optimism might seem to be an abstract concept. Here at The Intelligent Optimist, we try to show what an optimistic lifestyle can contribute to your life. And with us, there are many others trying to make optimism visible. One of them is David Mezzapelle, who created the book series Read More...
New in the Netherlands: the singing bike path
Three quarters of the Dutch sing while riding their bikes. In Amsterdam singing is now officially allowed on two bicycle paths. No more awkward pauses in cyclist’s songs because they’re passing one another! As a daily cyclist and former amateur singer this news makes me very happy. And that is Read More...
Chemical waste landfill shutdown in South Africa
Twenty years ago Desmond D’sa quit his job at a chemical factory in Durban, South Africa. The disregard for worker safety at the factory had proved to be too much; D’sa knew something had to change. “There was an overarching disrespect for the chemicals and the dangerous environment we were Read More...
The Intelligent Optimist’s Swing Into Spring Auction ends Tuesday
It’s easier to start swinging after a tune-up, and with that in mind, we have popular favorites from auctions past and brand new items and services to help you take care of yourself or your loved ones or contribute to charitable causes, all backed by the intention of making the world a better Read More...
Contagiously optimistic: Myrtle Newsam
Sometimes, optimism might seem to be an abstract concept. Here at The Intelligent Optimist, we try to show what an optimistic lifestyle can contribute to your life. And with us, there are many others trying to make optimism visible. One of them is David Mezzapelle, who created the book series Read More...