Slow travel, integrity and a whole new view on ‘progress’: Santo Stefano in Italy
The restoration project behind a once abandoned Italian village offers the world a unique approach to the meaning of progress. Santo Stefano di Sessanio is all about slow travel, history, integrity, authenticity and local people. And now, in a small but symbolic step, the local government has shown its support for the project’s vision. We speak to Daniele Kihlgren, the ‘maverick’ behind this daring project in the mountains near Rome. (And don’t forget to watch the beautiful documentary trailer about the project at the end).
The ‘Climate Scientist Who Refused to fly’: new victory, new perspective?
The climate scientist Dr. Grimalda refused to fly for his research trip and was fired as a result. But now he has won a legal victory. In an unusual turn of events, his former employer has decided to offer legal compensation for his dismissal. Meanwhile, his lawyer in the case has also asked an interesting question. Is this the beginning of a new perspective on how our work affects the state of the earth? (And please don’t forget to watch a trailer of a beautiful movie about Dr Grimalda’s incredible journey below.)
Wonderwoods, urban home for people, trees and birds, challenges our perspective on the meaning of home
A new architectural-defying project is about to offer an ecological way of life in one of the largest cities in the Netherlands. Comprised of two tower blocks, Wonderwoods will have tall trees and lush shrubs attached to it. It will offer a new urban living for people, trees and biodiversity all in one. We spoke with landscape architect Timo Cents who tells us all about this vertical forest in the city.
Transformational travel: Fresh life perspectives are brewing in an Italian B & B
Things are structurally changing in the world. And says Italian B&B owner Luca Palmero: travelling is the perfect way to start seeing the world with different eyes. At his unique residence, located on a UNESCO site overlooking the harbour below, new perspectives arise. According to Palmero, it’s time to move away from chasing our own pleasure and embark on a transformational travel journey. This is his story.
A scientist’s almost-plane-free journey of 50,000 kilometres. A story about air travel impact.
Do you remember this news story? It involved a journey of 50,000 kilometers, and about air travel impact. But it was done as much as possible without taking a plane. An outlandish perspective for most of us? For Dr. Gianluca Grimalda, a climate scientist, a way to tell the world about the state of the earth and a moral commitment.
Immersing ourselves in the soul of a place: other ways of travel and the Italian Sextantio project
Thanks to some once-forgotten, revived villages in Italy, visitors from all over the world can find out about other ways of travel. Instead of visiting a place, they can immerse themselves in its soul and history. They can take some time and really get a feel for a locality. This is a unique story about travel and integrity for a place and what’s called the Sextantio project.
Flights to distant skies: Can we honestly say we understand our impact?
Since our pandemic staycation, we all seem to be flying to distant skies again. But do we really understand what our flights mean for the environment, the earth, and the bigger picture? Some researchers from England have given their perspective. So that the next time we fly, we can make a more informed decision. Should we want to do so.
British sign language adapts to climate change: Now more people can give their perspective on the hot topic
Does a deaf person have enough signs in their language vocabulary to engage in conversations about climate change? Thanks to new official signs in British Sign Language (BSL), this is the case in Great Britain. Whether in class or during a scientific debate, here deaf people can now also give their perspectives on this current topic.
Novel therapeutic model takes movie watching to new level: It’s good for us!
Are you watching a movie or your favourite (TV) programme tonight? A British therapeutic model called ‘MOVIE’ has taken this way of relaxing to a whole new level. Says the creator of it: Watching a movie is not only relaxing, it has a deeper therapeutic effect. Who said therapy had to be difficult!
“One family dog please.” Do different dog breeds really have different characters?
As people with dogs in our lives we all say we can choose a dog breed with a certain character. That a dog behaves according to its breed. So we can choose, for instance a “family dog.” But a study is now challenging such stereotypes. It says that our dog’s character has more to do with the quality of life we give it. Are we projecting our ideas about dog breeds onto our dogs?
Psychologist calls for ‘heart intelligence’ in business leadership
A London business psychologist has called on companies to recognise the power of ‘heart intelligence’ in business leadership. Hema Vyas is among a growing number of leadership experts who say that intuitive, traditionally more feminine approaches can complement more analytical or masculine approaches. Together they can play an important role in the future success of a company.
It’s official: walking outside in a funny way is good for us
If the funny British TV show Monty Python has taught us one thing, it’s that laughter is good for us. But now some creative researchers have taken the time to discover the health impact of walking outside in this way. It turns out that when the people they studied tried to walk like the actors in the funny show, there were health benefits for the body and mind. Now we can put it all together and throw our shame out the window. Careful of course, we don’t want to hurt ourselves!
Chatbot shows: Want to be there for a friend? Let them help you instead!
When a friend is feeling a little down, we want to do something to help them. It’s an immediate reaction. But the creators of a chatbot called Vincent show us a new perspective. By turning things around and having a friend help us with something instead. That way we can make them feel better about themselves.