7 THINGS WORTH KNOWING / 28 September 2026

Little Discoveries

Design · Philosophy · Plants · Curiosities · Words · Food · Cultures & peoples. 7 discoveries in this edition.

01Design

Editorial interpretation of Saul Bass at a desk with paper shapes and imaginary graphic studies, without reproducing a historical poster. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Saul Bass: the film begins before the first scene

In depth · 3 min read

A few shapes can prepare us for a story: his film titles turn movement into a way of giving images meaning.

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02Philosophy

Editorial interpretation of Jane Addams listening to two neighbours around a table with books, in an imagined discussion. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Jane Addams: before helping, learn to listen

In depth · 3 min read

The Hull-House philosopher connected ideas with neighbourhood life: understanding other people takes closeness, questions and a willingness to change our minds.

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03Plants

Editorial illustration of Lavandula angustifolia, with narrow grey-green leaves and small purple flowers grouped into spikes on slender stems. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Lavender: one purple spike holds many little flowers

In depth · 3 min read

Lavandula angustifolia rewards a closer look: colour draws us in, while leaves, stems and clusters of flowers help describe the plant.

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04Curiosities

Editorial illustration of an African elephant gently grasping a leaf with the tip of its trunk. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

The elephant’s trunk: precision without a single bone

In depth · 3 min read

An elephant’s nose is also a tool for exploring: muscles and sensitivity allow powerful movements alongside surprisingly delicate ones.

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05Words

Editorial metaphor for the Italian word calendario: a blank calendar, wax writing tablets, a stylus and two leaves, without letters or numbers. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

The Italian word calendario: a notebook of dates and debts

In depth · 3 min read

This Italian word preserves a trace of Roman bookkeeping, linking appointments, the first of the month and ways of organising time.

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06Food

Editorial metaphor for milk becoming yogurt: a bowl and small colourful shapes representing microorganisms, not shown to scale. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Yogurt: milk transformed by tiny workers

In depth · 3 min read

Fermentation changes some of the milk’s sugar and alters how its proteins behave, producing a noticeably different texture in the process.

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07Cultures & peoples

Editorial interpretation of a capoeira circle: two adults move in the centre while other participants accompany the game with music and clapping. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Capoeira: the circle matters as much as its centre

In depth · 3 min read

Movement, music and memory meet in the roda: an Afro-Brazilian practice best approached through the people who teach it and keep it alive.

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Original writing and illustrations made with AI assistance. Each discovery includes its sources. Our editorial method