Aspen Ideas Festival

Toni Morrison’s Ideas for Writers and Readers

How should we remember Toni Morrison? The celebrated writer pondered her own legacy at the first Aspen Ideas Festival in 2005.

August 6, 2019

What Gets Lost When Polls Become the Story

As the 2020 presidential election season gets under way, many journalists are reflecting on how not to make the same mistakes from the last cycle.

June 28, 2019
A row of voting booths.

Electric Cars Still Face a Major Roadblock

To wean drivers off gas vehicles, automakers need to help them develop a whole new understanding of what it means to own a motorcar.

June 28, 2019
Electric cars charging in a row.

The Infrastructure of Joy

Will building delight into cities make them more cloying or more fun?

June 28, 2019
Children chasing bubbles in a park.

Why Science Can Be So Indecisive About Nutrition

Years of conflicting studies about certain foods and diets tell us a lot about both our bodies and ourselves.

June 28, 2019
An assortment of food laid out on a table.

Mark Zuckerberg Wants the Government to Regulate Facebook — But Not Too Much

The Facebook founder answered questions about election meddling, data privacy, and deepfake videos at the 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival.

June 26, 2019
Mark Zuckerberg

‘Free Solo’ Is Not a Life Lesson

Alex Honnold’s historic climb is too extraordinary to become a story of motivational-poster determination.

June 26, 2019
A man rock climbing in a cave.

The Problem With Diversity in Computing

Tech’s discriminatory culture might never change, no matter how many women and people of color are invited into the room.

June 26, 2019
People sitting around computers looking at lines of code.

This App Tells You When You’re Mean

Ditching likes for facial scans could be the way to a kinder, if creepier, online world.

June 26, 2019
A person holding their phone and receiving social media notifications.

How Do Rich Neighborhoods Exist So Close to Poor Ones?

The research of Harvard economist Raj Chetty shows that the scale of inequality is incredibly small.

June 26, 2019
A crowded city street.