A Gallup poll published last July found that just 36% of Americans had “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. That’s a 10% drop from 2018, and more than a 20% drop from 2015. Enter the University of Austin, which claims to be a new type of higher education institution that offers students “the fearless pursuit of truth.” The privately funded nonprofit has reportedly received $200 million in private donations, much of it from prominent right-wing investors. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Max Ufberg discusses the university’s background and what school will be like for the first class of freshmen.

Also, L-Acoustics CEO Laurent Vaissié shares his excitement for the possibilities of sound design for live concerts and shows. His company’s approach to audio is creating immersive experiences and new layers of storytelling, from Broadway theaters to Vegas shows.