I was always interested in the intersection of psychology and sort of communication arts. So I always thought it would be something to do with journalism, but traditional journalism didn't quite resonate so much. You state that making the world a better place was part of your mission. It's such a loaded phrase. And what kind of person says this? I mean, this is like a pageant line, you know? Oh, no, it isn't. But I think I am an optimist. And I think most people want to in some way contribute to the world in a way that makes it better and makes it richer. That makes for a better society, better culture and a better world.
In this audio interview with Debbie Millman, Maria Popova discusses growing up in Bulgaria, the evolution of Brainpicker and inventing the curator’s code.