7 THINGS WORTH KNOWING / 16 October 2026

Little Discoveries

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

Harry Bertoia: a chair you can see the room through

In depth · 3 min read

Harry Bertoia’s Diamond turns metal wires into a seat, making the empty spaces a visible part of the design.

In depth · 3 min read

In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes compares words to counting tokens: they help us reason, but should never take the place of thought.

In depth · 3 min read

Its glossy leaves catch the eye, but Peperomia obtusifolia has another detail to discover: tiny flowers packed along slender spikes.

In depth · 3 min read

The dark stain on a saucer records a tiny journey: as water evaporates, suspended particles can travel towards the edge.

In depth · 3 min read

The Italian word orchestra preserves the memory of a theatrical space and a Greek verb connected with dancing.

In depth · 3 min read

Capsaicin in chilli peppers activates a receptor that also responds to heat: a familiar sensation opens a question about perception.

In depth · 3 min read

In the Indonesian angklung, movement turns bamboo into sound: a light instrument opens a story about shared musical practice.

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