We can do impossible things
I’d wager everyone has a rehearsed response to what’s absolutely one of the world’s worst interview questions: “What’s your biggest weakness?” Whenever I’ve gotten it, I take a slow—even pensive—breath and rattle off my line: “I say no to myself too much.” I won’t lie. It’s a bit shameless—a definite humblebrag. I’m a systems thinker:…
When faced with the infamous interview question: "What's your biggest weakness?", many people find themselves stumped. I, however, have a favorite response: "I say no to myself too often." It's a bit of a shameless humblebrag, but it's true. As a systems thinker, every idea that crosses my mind is immediately evaluated for feasibility.
I run through lists, plot out timelines, and calculate budget line items. Occasionally, an outline of a Gantt chart even starts to take shape. This constant back-and-forth between ambition and reality has been a defining aspect of my 20+ year career as a science and tech journalist. Joining the team behind MIT Technology Review has been a privilege, and taking the helm of the print magazine has been an exciting opportunity.
As the issue you're holding in your hands reveals, we're embracing a more experimental and audacious approach. This issue focuses on stories that explore impossible ideas, because it's both fun and necessary to dream about technologies like living on the moon or decoding animals' speech. The scientists and engineers who persistently push boundaries, like those working on synthetic blood or AI safety, serve as a reminder of the potential impact of technology when we refuse to let obstacles deter us.
The purpose of this issue is to inspire and encourage readers who have the audacity to try, even when it seems impossible, and who won't let anyone—including themselves—tell them no.
Written by urgent.news from MIT Technology Review's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
