7 THINGS WORTH KNOWING / 15 November 2026

Little Discoveries

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

AI editorial illustration of a transparent seat with a continuous surface, inspired by the theme of Ghost; not a photograph or technical drawing. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Cini Boeri: an armchair that lets your gaze through

In depth · 3 min read

With Ghost, Cini Boeri and Tomu Katayanagi turn a sheet of glass into a seat: transparency changes how space is perceived.

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02Philosophy

AI editorial illustration of two people sharing a cup over a table with an open book; a metaphor for benevolence, not a historical portrait. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Joseph Butler: caring for yourself can include others

In depth · 3 min read

Joseph Butler distinguishes self-interest from benevolence: describing them carefully helps us avoid turning every human action into a form of selfishness.

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03Plants

AI editorial illustration of a potted Ficus lyrata with large green fiddle-shaped leaves, wavy unbroken edges and pale veins; no fruit. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Ficus lyrata: the violin is in the outline

In depth · 3 min read

The broad leaves of Ficus lyrata resemble a musical instrument: looking closely separates a helpful visual comparison from a botanical explanation.

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04Curiosities

AI editorial illustration of a hand with wrinkled fingertips beside a bowl of water; simple surface folds, not a clinical image. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Who draws the wrinkles on wet fingers?

In depth · 3 min read

After a bath, fingertips become a tiny landscape: their folds involve more than absorbed water, revealing an active response within the body.

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05Words

AI editorial illustration of a prepared writing quill, an inkwell and a modern pen on a sheet without text. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Penna: the bird stayed in the Italian name

In depth · 3 min read

From feather to writing tool, the Italian word penna preserves a story of replaced materials and a function that continues.

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06Food

AI editorial illustration of three bowls holding rice in its husk, brown rice and white rice, beside a small rice panicle; a comparison without labels. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Brown rice and white rice: which layers remain?

In depth · 3 min read

Rice colour also tells a processing story: removing the outer husk and removing the bran are different steps along the way.

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07Cultures & peoples

Conceptual AI editorial illustration of a fujara with a long main tube, three finger holes and a shorter parallel tube; not a construction diagram. — Positive Times · ImageGen · AI-assisted illustration

Fujara: three holes do not mean three notes

In depth · 3 min read

The long Slovak fujara combines two tubes, three finger holes and a range of overtones: its simple appearance does not explain everything.

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