Project Wonder

Awe is that feeling of wonder when we encounter something vast, beautiful, or deeply human that expands how we see the world. We experience it almost every day, when we’re inspired by the moral beauty of our neighbors, the joy of collective effervescence at a basketball game, concert in the park or protest march, the sense of wonder of nature, art, and innovation. Research shows that experiencing awe calms our nervous system and shifts our focus from the individual to the collective, opening space for connection, empathy, and imagination. 

In a time of division, fear and despair, how do we build from that feeling of being connected to something larger than ourselves to fundamentally change the way we imagine, design, invest in, inhabit, and govern our city?

Project Wonder focuses on a new approach to how we see, talk about, and address critical challenges by tapping into the awe all around us. Our theory is that awe is already everywhere, and that if we take it seriously – as the glue of community, the fuel of collective imagination and action, and the anchor of a healthy democracy – we don’t just feel good, we start to make very different choices. From decisions about public policy, budget priorities, housing, health care and urban design to the heart of inhabiting a complex, diverse, divergent, beautiful city.  

Project Wonder is a chance to test this proposition, not just through learning about the science of awe, but through experiencing it directly, and reflecting on where, how, and why you already find it daily throughout your life.

This work will generate concrete proposals for how we approach questions of urban design and planning, civic engagement, community organizing, and governance differently – if we take the science, experience, and outcomes of awe seriously.  The goal is not (just) for people to have a powerful experience, but to translate the lessons of awe into changes to public policy, the economy, and government.