Society · · 1 min read

A week of awards

The Nobel Prize’s integrity is a reminder that excellence still prevails over politics. Amid funding cuts and cynicism, the MacArthur Fellows highlight America’s diversity and brilliance - an antidote to the relentless noise and despair of the news cycle.

A week of awards
© Matt Black

Like most of the thinking world, I was delighted to see that the Nobel prize maintained integrity and did not kowtow to Trump and the US administration's disdainful circus of a campaign. The act of vandalism that was cutting USAID alone (and the consequential effects) should guarantee Trump's name is never uttered in anything but contempt.

Maintaining positivity is the MacArthur Foundation who announced their 2025 fellows this week. While US centric, the list is diverse and impressive - a prescient reminder of the great diversity and undeniable talent that America has. Awards like the MacArthur fellowship are particularly important for the continuation of scientific work when you consider the impact of US government funding cuts which has contributed to the exodus of US scientists.

The next time you find yourself in a doomscroll spiral or are suffering from news fatigue, check out the work of any of the fellows, I promise it'll be worth your time.

Read next

The Ceiling of Average
Creativity ·

The Ceiling of Average

Milton Glaser once remarked that computers can make things faster, but not always better. GenAI, in its quest for the most probable response limits potential if entirely relied on.

Influential Magazine Covers
Photography ·

Influential Magazine Covers

The New York Times’ list of the 25 most influential magazine covers sparks debate—subjectivity and omission aside, it reminds us that covers still shape culture. From Time’s haunting 9/11 image to the New Yorker’s restrained symbolism, each great cover captures emotion and its place in time.

7x7 - 14 Sept Edition
7x7 Weekly ·

7x7 - 14 Sept Edition

A cultural roundup: Real Hackney Dave’s bold screen prints, Professor Alexander’s disaster foresight lecture, a landmark tree photobook, Niwaki’s Field Report, Apple’s awe-inspiring launch, Jony Ive’s design insights, and the urgent crisis of US leadership amid famine and displacement.