01Design
Gae Aulenti: a lamp that takes its place
The Pipistrello invites us to see light as part of a room, through height, materials and a distinctly visible presence.
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Little Discoveries
Design · Philosophy · Plants · Curiosities · Words · Food · Cultures & peoples. 7 discoveries in this edition.
John Locke: a book cannot think for us
Reading supplies materials; thinking makes them our own. Locke asks readers to examine connections rather than merely remember the conclusions.
Read the full story03Plants
Hoya carnosa: the little stalk worth keeping
After the flowers fade, an inconspicuous stalk remains: keeping it respects the way this plant can return to flower.
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Why does a mirror seem to swap left and right?
Raise a hand and notice where it appears: a plane mirror offers a small lesson in geometry, viewpoints and words.
Read the full story05Words
Museo: before the display cases, the Muses
The Italian word carries an ancient dedication to the Muses, without requiring us to imagine museums as places where everything stands still.
Read the full story06Food
Mozzarella: before the ball, a ribbon
Before the white ball comes a mass that is worked and stretched: stretching and portioning describe different stages of the process.
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Cinque Terre: a wall that holds a craft together
On terraces, stones without mortar support soil and cultivation: reading the wall reveals maintenance, local materials and skills passed between people.
Read the full storyOriginal writing and illustrations made with AI assistance. Each discovery includes its sources. Our editorial method