There’s a difference between engagement and exposure.

When most people think “education”, they think of the old school, passive classroom or reading model where students are filled with knowledge by an expert at the front of the room or behind the pen. That might work for students (sometimes), but it rarely works for grown-ups. And it definitely doesn’t change minds or drive progress. We need a new concept for education — one that focuses on engagement, exploration, and activation. We need to create dynamic, generative, and inclusive opportunities for people to discuss and dive deeply into big ideas, and we need them everywhere.

Just like our networks of libraries, museums, or town halls that didn’t exist until they did — we can build something that meets the needs of today.

Every town and city can have spaces where its community can gather to explore issues through multiple lenses. And every household can bring lifelong learning into their lives by hosting gatherings and accessing resources that fit into their everyday lives.

A "plenary" is a gathering that brings people together to learn. Think of it as a sort of "all-hands" meeting for society. For us, a good plenary is one that centers multiple perspectives, synthesizes multidisciplinary knowledge, and can be tailored to the community, social circle, or household it serves.

We’re building a new category of experiences that replaces our current system of media exposure with a new culture of meaningful community and individual engagement.