The Most Important Question

Essay: What it all means


Listen Later

Across the front of our website, in big bold letters, is our calling card: “Science for people who give a shit.”

You may have seen it and immediately thought “That’s me!” or “You sir, are a child.”

Either reaction is well and great. We’re not for everybody.

You’re here, though, so let's assume you’re on board with the whole idea.

However you identified with that tagline, you may have also asked yourself what it means, in practice. And that’s a good question because while the mantra isn’t changing, I’m more focused than ever on putting it into practice for me, and you.

To Do Better Better requires trust in one another.

That we care, that we'll step up when it counts, that we won't pull the ladder up after us.

It requires a radical reorientation of our assumptions and expectations, to put into practice our values, to show up for one another -- together whenever we can, and when we're most alone -- to understand 1% better every day doesn't feel very different today -- if anything, it can feel like nowhere near enough -- but in three hundred and sixty-five days, much less by 2035 or 2050, at the rate of 1% a day, together, we can build something entirely new and fucking awesome.

That's compound action. That's what we're about. That's science for people who give a shit.

Here's What You Can Do:

  • Mutual aid is probably the most effective way to help the folks around you. Find a network near you here.
  • Want to take on one of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals? Google's offering cash prizes in their 2023 Solution Challenge. Build a team and get to work!
  • To understand the climate crisis, you have to understand our food systems. Nobody does a better job at that than Civil Eats. Subscribe today.

Get more:

  • Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletter
  • Got feedback? Email us at [email protected]
  • Follow us on Twitter at @importantnotimp
  • Subscribe to our Youtube channel
  • Get fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/store
  • Take a nap you deserve it

Advertise with us: https://www.importantnotimportant.com/sponsors

Mentioned in this episode:

Become An Important Member

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Most Important QuestionBy Important, Not Important

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

118 ratings


More shows like The Most Important Question

View all
The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker Radio Hour

6,799 Listeners

On the Media by WNYC Studios

On the Media

9,247 Listeners

The Gray Area with Sean Illing by Vox

The Gray Area with Sean Illing

10,701 Listeners

Reveal by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX

Reveal

8,480 Listeners

Living on Earth by World Media Foundation

Living on Earth

464 Listeners

Pivot by New York Magazine

Pivot

9,748 Listeners

This Week in Virology by Vincent Racaniello

This Week in Virology

2,060 Listeners

Pod Save America by Pod Save America

Pod Save America

87,995 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,159 Listeners

Lovett or Leave It by Lovett or Leave It

Lovett or Leave It

25,170 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,331 Listeners

Consider This from NPR by NPR

Consider This from NPR

6,466 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,379 Listeners

On with Kara Swisher by Vox Media

On with Kara Swisher

3,494 Listeners

Better Offline by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Better Offline

599 Listeners

Not Right Now by Important, Not Important

Not Right Now

52 Listeners