Sean Schmidt, co-founder of the Seattle-based non-profit Sustainable Style Foundation, has embarked on a new project with a somewhat parallel aim. While SSF played a major role in making the concept of sustainability cool and accessible for the masses (and I think we can all agree that, for better and for worse, it's gotten to that point), Schmidt's mission with newly formed international non-profit The Smart Set is to bring mainstream attention to brainy endeavors: science, design and culture.
Schmidt explains it this way: "In Europe and Asia, popular culture recognizes the leading scientists, artists and other cultural icons. Here in the U.S., it's almost exclusively sports heroes and movie stars." Schmidt recognizes that lauded consumer magazines like SEED, Dwell and Ode are shedding stylish light on leading developments and personalities in these areas of interest. Drawing inspiration from these and other similar titles, he developed The Smart Set (TSS), with the lofty goal of "turning scientists into celebrities, designers into international idols, and cultural leaders into pop icons" with coverage that's both positive and inviting to people from all walks of life.
Though TSS isn't focused on sustainability, its mission of bringing sophisticated, progressive thinkers together will hopefully help spur the type of progressive and creative leadership we need to generate solutions. "[The goal of TSS] is not only about identifying who these people are," Schmidt says. "It's also about getting them to take a public role." Global citizens who embody this mission receive special designation on the TSS website—among their still-modest ranks are Noam Chomsky, Jane Goodall and Angela Merkel.
And by bringing these issues into popular focus, he also hopes to inspire young people of all backgrounds to pursue education in the fields of science, design and culture…and to inspire the public to increase their funding and support for the programs that make this learning possible.
Though TSS is still in its early stages, we recommend checking out the website. It's a targeted place to read up on more worldchanging people and ideas.
Photo of Pacific Science Center arches by Jay F, licensed by Creative Commons. The Smart Set logo.
