Collections

We remember longtime congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis who died this month. At the Aspen Ideas Festival in 2014, he spoke with the late Gwen Ifill. He also offered up a moving "big idea."

Leading on the Frontlines, a series from Aspen Ideas Now, features mayors and governors across the United States in candid discussions about how they're facing tough decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The conversations are led by CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.

Six months into the pandemic, cases are spiking in parts of the country, the death toll continues to rise, and the economy is in shambles. What comes next in this battle?

Earth is as resilient as it is fragile. From single species to whole ecosystems, scientists are studying the incredible ways our oasis in space responds to unprecedented human impact. Whether you want to honor Earth Day, or you're just innately curious about the natural world, hit play on a session from Aspen Ideas and start learning!

Time on your hands? Looking to escape into learning? Dive deeply into a broad array of topics from Aspen Ideas. Discover how soul music became a soundtrack to some of our nation’s most defining moments. What role does the human microbiome play in inflammatory diseases? And, what is the universe made of and why don’t we know what it’s made of? Expand your perspective by lea...

Health workers often face grueling working conditions. Even under normal circumstances, they regularly confront trauma, work long hours, are exposed to physical danger, and must keep pace with the demands of a rapidly-evolving health care system. With COVID-19 cases flooding waiting rooms and equipment shortages putting hospital staff at risk, health care workers are facin...

Finding the national and global headlines understandably bleak lately? Need a break from the onslaught of information from the Democratic primaries? Maybe you have extra time on your hands thanks to (expert-advised) social distancing. Whether you need mental distraction or stimulation, engross yourself in compelling topics totally unrelated to the news. Get a glimpse into...

Black History Month shouldn't be the only time we talk about the inextricable role of race in US society. But conversations with friends, family, and coworkers about race and racism can be self-defeating. Listen as prominent voices from the Aspen Ideas To Go podcast explain the roots of the US's fraught racial politics and the ways racism continues to shape society. Their...

How can Yo-Yo Ma help sixth graders learn earth science? How does ballet strengthen the mind along with the body? The below clips, which feature dance, music, and performance art pieces performed at the Aspen Ideas Festival, are tantalizing parts of whole sessions that explore how the arts can heal and educate. Watch a clip or two and gain a deeper appreciation for how per...

A 2018 UN report on climate change urged swift and unprecedented action to curb the rise of the planet’s temperature. Experts argue that avoiding a crisis will require significant breakthroughs in technology, a full stop on fossil fuel projects, fundamental changes to the way we feed the world, and ubiquitous carbon policies. Who will lead the charge towards a multilateral...

Britain's withdrawal from the European Union is a settled question, but the long-term impacts it will have on Britain and Europe remain unclear. Brexit left British society bitterly divided and British isolated from the rest of Europe after decades of congeniality and shared prosperity. Will other EU countries follow Britain's example? How will Britain's economy take this...

Urban areas around the world are growing at rates not seen since the throes of the Industrial Revolution, and they're facing pressures never experienced before.

Public health experts warn the 21st century could see unprecedented challenges in fighting infectious diseases. The ubiquity of world travel means epidemics can become pandemics with ease, and the development of antibiotics has, perversely, catalyzed the rise of "superbugs" that resist treatment. How can governments, with competing interests and ideologies, work alongside...

If the 2016 US election felt volatile and vitriolic, the forecast for a cordial 2020 isn't looking good. The nomination process is dividing Democrats, Republicans are closing ranks around an embattled President Trump, and distrust of news media is at an all-time high. Is there hope for unity across political affiliations? Can we learn to trust journalists again? What are t...

The unflinching humanity that Martin Luther King, Jr. embodied is part of what makes his legacy so lasting. In addition to his preeminent civil rights work, he spoke out about worker protections, access to housing, and warmongering. Watch and listen as Aspen Ideas speakers, some who worked with Martin Luther King, Jr., explain how he indelibly shaped the world.