Author Charles Murray believes we have lost a specific dimension to our lives — community. He challenges us to make small changes that will in turn resurrect the American way of life.

Melody Barnes discusses the polarization of Congress and how the mode towards positive change depends on the attitude of people in Congress and their willingness to work towards compromise.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, stresses the importance of engaging children in meaningful learning and assuring that all students are taught critical thinking skills.

Rabbi Steven Leder describes a world without organized religion and why we need to keep religious faiths and traditions alive and well for the sake of society.

Thomas Friedman speaks at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

Retired four-star US Army general Stanley McChrystal makes the case for mandatory national service. Would a shared experience in serving our country strengthen us? 

An early childhood educator, Erika Christakis, discusses the perils of the “no accidents” mentality of parenting.

Theater and film director Julie Taymor on the temptation to give children easy entertainment instead of encouraging them discover the world and learn to be creative through low-tech means.

Tech industry leader Marissa Mayer cites compelling evidence about why our country needs more computer scientists and technologists. Recruitment for these industries should start at the high school level.

Economist Lawrence Summers says that even in these challenging times, there is much to be optimistic about in America. As a country, we have a great capacity to work together. 

Physicist Brian Greene gives an entertaining and impassioned speech about the transcendence of mathematics. Really. He’ll make you want to stop what you’re doing and work a quick Algebra equation. 

Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, stresses that the US educational system desperately needs more talent in the profession, as other countries with more successful systems invest in.

New Course founder Jamie Betchtel tells the moving story of visiting slave quarters in Tanzania.

David Brooks contends that while our culture is deeply individualistic, we have it wrong when it comes to our interconnectedness.

Actor Michael York reading “Perhaps” by Shu Ting

Thomas Friedman speaks at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

Tu Weiming on the importance of cultural dialogue.

Eldar Shafir, Princeton professor & Ideas42 co-founder Eldar Shafir sheds light on the psychology of poverty.

Journalist Ari Shavit stresses the need to liberate and empower women globally.

Ingrid Inema, who was just six years old when the Rwandan Genocide devastated her country, on the importance of forgiveness. 2008 Aspen Ideas Festival.

Playwright Sarah Jones in character as ‘Anna,’ a 13 year old from Kenya who gives an impassioned plea for equality.

Opera singer Jessye Norman on the transformative power of art.

Michael Sandel on the importance of reconnecting to politics and governance

Jamie Bechtel, the president and CEO of NewCourse tells about how meeting a man named Elvis, in Tanzania, impressed her to use the technologies we have at hand – for social good.