Philanthropy
Latest news on corporate and nonprofit efforts aimed at changing our world for the better through benevolent initiatives, such as fundraisers, grants, and charities.
Wireless video could make intubation safer
Intubation is a drastic yet necessary procedure that medical professionals perform to open patients’ airways. While it can be a real lifesaver, intubation is difficult to perform, and sometimes the tube can be placed incorrectly. A specialized, 3D-printed device with a small wireless camera Read More...
Chile’s president moves to, and improves, run-down part of Santiago
A country’s head of state can seem far removed from the boots-on-the-ground work that has a tangible and visible effect on average citizens’ lives. For most of us, the gradual progress of policy changes can seem invisible, and we can feel a great disconnect between our lives and the legislative Read More...
This Turkish charity directly connects donors to those in need
Many people couldn’t get by without the invaluable work done by the non-profit sector. Philanthropic organizations the world over, such as the Red Cross or the Halo Trust, provide essential services, effect societal change, and even repair damage from conflicts. In cases of providing funds to Read More...
Scottish forests are the biggest they’ve been in 900 years
Scotland is a proud and iconic country, with a unique culture and landscape. Travelers from all over the world come to visit Scotland’s highlands, lowlands, and lochs. Another invaluable part of the Scottish wilderness, largely and unfortunately overlooked by visitors, is its Read More...
Elders Climate Action: climate activism for seniors
This last week’s Optimist’s View on aging got us thinking about our seniors and how lucky we are to have a substantial older population. Longer life expectancies and a growing senior population mean holding onto our loved ones and benefiting from their perspective and experience. With an active Read More...
Nocturnal solar panels: not an oxymoron
While trying to do the impossible might seem like magical thinking, in many cases, it is simply science that hasn’t broken through yet. In the case of solar panels, it might seem counterintuitive to try to use them at night. This too, though, has been proven possible. An engineering team Read More...
“The Cramm” by Olivia Seltzer: giving Gen Z context for the news
Our society often forgets to involve youth as an equal voice in our discussions about how our world ought to function. Young minds are our future artists, entrepreneurs, and legislators, and they need to learn to care about what’s going on in the world today so they can further our work tomorrow. Read More...
Ukrainian architects build modular shelters for refugees
Since Russia’s invasion, more than 6.5 million internally displaced people in Ukraine have fled their homes to find safety. Many of them are currently crowded in large spaces like school gyms or bomb shelters, with bare amenities available. In a bid to properly accommodate these refugees, a team Read More...
Can NFTs help save the Amazon?
Non-Fungible Tokens, commonly known as NFTs, are crypto-acquired assets in the form of digital art. These “one-of-a-kind” digital pieces rose in popularity last year, with plenty of influential personalities and celebrities purchasing them, often at exorbitant prices. Well, whether you’re Read More...
How AI helped Togo's poorest citizens
Back in 2020, we ran a story about a humanitarian project in Togo organized by the non-profit GiveDirectly, UC Berkeley, and Togo’s Ministry of Digital Economy. Its aim: use AI to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of money to the poorest populations in the country. Now some of the results Read More...