Inspiring
August 1, 2025

Engineer Fixes and Installs Free Pay Phones in Parts of Rural Vermont Without Cell Service

According to Pew Research Center, 98% of Americans own a mobile phone. Despite how common they are, cell service can be spotty—or even nonexistent—in many areas, such as long stretches of rural Vermont. Patrick Schlott, an electrical engineer, realized this after moving to the area. Hoping to help the community, he used his skills to install free public telephones in strategic locations. “Think payphones without the ‘pay’ part,” writes Schlott.

Read Article

Art
August 1, 2025

Traditional Azerbaijani Weaving Reimagined as Unraveling, Melting, and Glitching Carpets

For Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed, a carpet can be more than a woven rectangle, square, or circle. Instead, it can exceed those traditional confines and seep onto the ground, gathering in viscous puddles; it can explode into layers upon layers of tufted thread; it can be interrupted with glitches and cascade like a wave; and it can even be shaped into a recycling sign.

Read Article

Inspiring
July 31, 2025

World’s Richest Woman Opens Medical School With Free Tuition To Help Underserved Communities

A new medical school has opened in the United States. And while it could stand out because of its notable founder, what makes it truly special is its approach to health and education. Alice Walton, currently considered the richest woman in the world, opened the school in her home state of Arkansas, and will cover the tuition for the first five graduating classes. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM)

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.