In a revealing discussion, Bill Clinton, former U.S. President and advocate for global initiatives, interviews Roman Mars, the creator of 99% Invisible. They explore the role of storytelling in architecture and how everyday design can foster community pride. The conversation highlights urban resilience through disasters and emphasizes the need for thoughtful, human-centered design. They reflect on cultivating connections in polarized times, sharing insights on how cooperation can strengthen community ties and enhance social capital.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Montgomery Ward Building
Roman Mars learned about the Montgomery Ward building's design on a Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour.
The building's lack of corner offices reflected the company's egalitarian values, changing his perception of the building.
insights INSIGHT
The Power of Design Stories
Stories about design, independent of aesthetics, can change our perception of the mundane.
Focusing on the thought behind designs makes the world more delightful.
question_answer ANECDOTE
City Flags
Roman Mars's interest in city flags stemmed from his time in Chicago, where the city's flag is ubiquitous.
He realized most city flags are poorly designed, leading him to explore their potential.
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The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic – and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World
Steven Johnson
The book chronicles the devastating cholera outbreak in London's Soho district in 1854. It centers around Dr. John Snow, who created a map to trace the outbreak back to its source—a contaminated water pump—and Reverend Henry Whitehead, whose local knowledge was crucial in determining the cause. The narrative explores the historical context, the scientific and cultural roots of the miasma theory, and the impact of this event on modern urban planning, public health, and scientific inquiry. The book also reflects on broader themes such as urbanization, environmental crises, and the role of cities in solving the problems they create[2][3][4].
The Social Conquest of Earth
Edward O. Wilson
In this book, Edward O. Wilson presents a comprehensive argument against the widely accepted kin selection theory, instead advocating for group selection as the key driver of human evolution. Wilson classifies humans as eusocial, similar to ants, bees, wasps, and termites, and explains that this eusociality arose from the establishment of stable groups and nests, which led to the evolution of traits like altruism and division of labor. He discusses how human nature is conflicted between selfish and altruistic tendencies, resulting from the interplay between individual and group selection. The book also explores the origins of language, morality, religion, and the creative arts as outcomes of gene-culture coevolution. Wilson optimistically suggests that understanding these biological underpinnings could help humanity enhance its virtuous traits and contribute to a better future for the planet[1][3][5].
The 99% Invisible City
A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design
Roman Mars
Kurt Kohlstedt
The 99% Invisible City is a comprehensive guide that explores the often-overlooked aspects of urban design, from infrastructure to architecture. It delves into how these elements, though invisible to many, play a crucial role in shaping our daily lives. The book is well-researched and includes detailed illustrations, making it both informative and visually appealing.
The sand dollar and the slide rule
Delta Willis
In 'The Sand Dollar and the Slide Rule', Delta Willis delves into the connection between natural forms and human design, highlighting the beauty and economy of nature-inspired engineering. The book examines how natural blueprints can inform and enhance human innovation.
On this special feature episode, President Bill Clinton interviews 99% Invisible host and creator Roman Mars.
Roman Mars has spent his career chronicling these bits of human ingenuity that we so often take for granted—things like the utility codes, the curb cuts, the traffic signals, and much more. As host of the 99% Invisible and, with Kurt Kohlstedt, co-author of the book The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design, his work challenges all of us to look up and around, and to think about the how and the why of design around the world in a different way.
99% Invisible 
