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Big Think is a multimedia web portal founded in 2007 by Victoria Brown and Peter Hopkins.[1][2] The site publishes interviews and round table discussions with experts from a wide range of fields. Victoria Brown is the acting CEO and Peter Hopkins is the acting president of the company.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The company was founded when Brown and Hopkins met while working with Google Video to digitize the VHS archives of The Charlie Rose Show in 2006.[3] They began contemplating how to organize information into "short-form intellectual videos targeting online audiences"[3] and envisioned "an online platform where the world's leading experts could weigh in on current issues".[4]

In 2008, they launched with only video content. The materials involve short clips but with enough content so that they foster thinking, learning, and debate.[5]

In 2009, they branched into blogs and written content. Their first notable blogger was Michio Kaku. Other personalities include Angelina Jolie, who joined a panel of experts in a discourse over displaced children in Iraq, and Esther Dyson who talked about the opportunities from space exploration.[5]

In 2012, Big Think started live-streaming and providing individual and companies with "real-time interaction with notable guests". The platform also serves as a resource for educators and researchers, facilitating online learning.[6] As of March 2012, the Big Think YouTube channel passed 20 million views, and the video archive of the website included more than 12,000 clips from more than 2000 of its designated experts.[4]

Big Think has created video series on "Courageous Collaborations", "Academic Freedom" and "Education Innovation".[when?][citation needed]

Big Think spun out other sites: Big Think Edge for Business and Floating University for Higher Education.[7][8]

References

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Big Think

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from Grokipedia

Big Think is an American digital media platform founded in 2007 by Peter Hopkins and Victoria Montgomery Brown, which produces and distributes expert-led video interviews, articles, and multimedia content focused on intellectual topics including , , , and . Launched publicly on , 2008, the platform features concise explanations and discussions from prominent thinkers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders, with a mission to "make you smarter, faster" by challenging assumptions and promoting bold ideas. Originally an independent venture, Big Think was acquired by Freethink Media and has expanded into corporate learning solutions through Big Think+, offering structured video-based education for . Notable for its emphasis on actionable insights over entertainment, the platform has garnered millions of views across its content library, though it has faced scrutiny for occasional selection biases in expert representation reflecting broader institutional leanings in academia and media.

Overview

Mission and Core Principles

Big Think's stated mission is to make individuals smarter faster by introducing them to the brightest minds and boldest ideas of the era, thereby inviting exploration of innovative approaches to work, life, and comprehension of an evolving world. This objective, articulated since the platform's , prioritizes accessible intellectual content over entertainment, aiming to distill complex insights from experts into digestible formats. Central to its approach are principles of intellectual provocation and practical applicability, including the challenge to conventional assumptions and the encouragement of novel perspectives to foster independent reasoning. Content selection emphasizes solutions derived from rigorous expertise, groundbreaking technologies, and forward-looking ideas, rather than mere opinion or , with a focus on empowering audiences to navigate real-world complexities. As an affiliate of Freethink Media, Big Think integrates a solution-oriented that seeks to inspire constructive action and amid global challenges, distinguishing it from traditional news models by prioritizing evidence-based over negativity. This framework, evident in its editorial choices since , underscores a commitment to substantive discourse that equips viewers with tools for personal and societal advancement, without prescriptive ideologies.

Platform and Accessibility

Big Think operates as a web-based platform accessible via its primary website, bigthink.com, where users can browse and view a library exceeding 2,000 expert interviews, short videos (typically 5-13 minutes), and articles on topics ranging from science to philosophy. The platform supports mobile access through dedicated applications available on the Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iOS, including Apple TV compatibility, enabling offline viewing and streaming of thousands of educational videos featuring experts such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Additional distribution occurs via its YouTube channel, which hosts much of the free video content for broader reach. To enhance for individuals with disabilities, Big Think maintains an accessibility-focused initiative, investing resources to improve compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies, though full compliance across all content remains an ongoing process due to technical constraints. An menu, activated via an on-page , allows users to customize display settings for greater comfort and independence, with support available via during for unresolved issues. Keyboard navigation shortcuts (accessible by pressing Shift + ?) further aid interaction, but specific features like closed captions or multilingual support are not prominently detailed in platform documentation. Core content on the website and apps is available free of charge, promoting wide accessibility to expert insights without barriers, while a membership tier—launched around September 2023—provides paid subscribers with exclusive benefits including over 100 expert-led classes, early access to full interviews, and members-only events. Separately, Big Think+ serves as a premium, subscription-based learning platform tailored for organizations, offering interactive leadership development tools, search functionalities, and integrations with enterprise systems, often utilized by companies for employee training. Free demos of Big Think+ are provided to prospective business users.

History

Founding (2007)

Big Think was founded in 2007 by Victoria Montgomery Brown and Peter Hopkins, who envisioned a digital platform aggregating expert commentary to foster public discourse on complex ideas. The initiative stemmed from their recognition of online video's potential as an accessible medium for disseminating knowledge from intellectuals, scientists, and leaders, addressing a perceived gap in mainstream media's depth of analysis. Brown, drawing from her background in media and technology, co-led the effort alongside Hopkins, whose expertise in strategy and operations shaped the platform's early structure. Headquartered in , the company secured initial angel funding in the low seven-figure range to support development, with backers including investor and economist Larry Summers, the former president. This capital enabled the curation of content formats like interviews and presentations, prioritizing unscripted insights over polished production to emphasize authenticity. Preparations in 2007 focused on building a network of contributors and technical infrastructure, setting the stage for the site's public debut the following year.

Expansion and Milestones (2008–2015)

Big Think officially launched on January 7, 2008, following its founding the previous year, quickly gaining attention as a platform aggregating short videos from intellectuals and experts across fields like science, philosophy, and politics. The site's debut was favorably reviewed by The New York Times, which likened it to "YouTube for intellectuals," highlighting its focus on concise, idea-driven content rather than entertainment. Early visibility was boosted when co-founder Peter Hopkins appeared on The Colbert Report on January 15, 2008, discussing the platform's mission to democratize access to big ideas. By 2010, Big Think had established itself through high-profile interviews, including one with former President speculating on the possibility of a gay U.S. president, which drew citations in mainstream outlets like Maureen Dowd's New York Times column on December 19, 2010. The platform's content library expanded steadily, emphasizing expert-driven discussions over opinionated commentary. In 2011, Time magazine ranked Big Think as the top news and information website in its list of the 50 best websites of the year, praising its coverage of arts, business, science, history, and global affairs. A key expansion milestone came in 2011 with the launch of The Floating University, a partnership with the Jack Parker Corporation offering structured online courses such as "Great Big Ideas," which surveyed 12 major academic fields through lectures from leading thinkers. These courses gained traction in academic settings, including adoption at institutions like Harvard, Yale, and , marking Big Think's entry into educational content beyond standalone videos. By early 2012, the platform had amassed over 3,000 expert interviews, reflecting robust content growth, while audience metrics included more than 50,000 fans, 30,000 followers, and 180,000 newsletter subscribers. Investments from figures like , who served as a minority , supported operational scaling during this period. Through 2015, Big Think continued building its repository of interviews and series, maintaining partnerships like The Floating University and focusing on verifiable expert insights amid rising digital media competition, though specific audience or revenue figures from these years remain less documented in public records.

Modern Developments (2016–Present)

In the late 2010s, Big Think shifted focus toward monetizing its expert content through premium offerings, launching Big Think Edge in early 2020 as a subscription-based platform delivering short-form video lessons on skills like , , and . This initiative targeted both individuals and organizations seeking actionable insights from thought leaders, marking a pivot from its free-to-access model to include B2B enterprise solutions. The platform later rebranded to Big Think+, enhancing its emphasis on modules tailored for corporate training, with features like customizable content libraries and integration for team development. By , this expansion contributed to the company's annual revenue reaching $20 million, supported by roughly 85 enterprise clients adopting its tools for employee upskilling. Big Think integrated into Freethink Media's portfolio during this period, aligning its operations with a network prioritizing solutions-focused journalism and optimistic narratives on technological and societal progress. Co-founder Victoria Montgomery Brown, who had served as CEO, transitioned out of day-to-day , with editorial roles filled by figures such as Robert Chapman-Smith to oversee content strategy. These changes sustained Big Think's core mission of distilling complex ideas into accessible formats while adapting to demands amid trends post-2020.

Content and Contributors

Formats and Topics Covered

Big Think produces content in video and article formats, emphasizing explanations of complex concepts. Videos constitute the core offering, featuring interviews and monologues where thinkers from diverse fields articulate "big ideas" in straightforward language. These include short explanatory segments as well as series such as full-length interviews, which allow for deeper exploration without interruptions. Articles provide supplementary written content, often expanding on video themes or introducing new analyses, with examples covering , psychological insights, and long-term societal trends. Topics encompass a wide range, including (e.g., and ), (e.g., and existential questions), (e.g., AI and future-shaping advancements), , , , , and . Content draws from over 2,000 interviews with experts, organized into playlists and categories that facilitate browsing by subject, such as or scientific flaws in understanding the . For enterprise users via Big Think+, formats extend to structured educational tools like video lessons for quick insights, expert classes for skill-building, learning paths for progressive topics, and full courses combining videos with reflections and practice exercises, focused on professional growth areas like and .

Notable Experts and Interviews

Big Think has hosted videos and interviews featuring prominent experts from diverse fields, including physics, , , and , often in short, accessible formats that distill complex ideas. Frequent contributors such as theoretical physicist have delivered presentations on topics like the unification of physical forces in "The " (2011) and the cessation of biological due to technology (2011). Astrophysicist , another regular, has contributed to discussions on , cosmology, and , appearing in the platform's video library alongside figures like philosopher and comedian . Cognitive scientist has explored as a lens into brain function, emphasizing empirical patterns in and structure (2012). Nobel Prize-winning economist discussed , including real-world applications of nudges and decision-making biases, in a 2012 interview. Developmental addressed multiple intelligences and educational reform in his interview, drawing from his seminal theory outlined in Frames of Mind (1983). Public figures have also participated, such as former U.S. President , who in 2014 stressed continuous learning as essential for personal and societal adaptation in a rapidly changing world. The platform's "Big Think Interview" series provides longer-form, intimate dialogues; for instance, physicist Sean Carroll examined and the implications of a "" in a recent episode. expert has contributed on happiness and productivity, citing data from his research showing that optimism training boosts performance by 31% in sales roles. Other notable appearances include paleoanthropologist on human origins (2012) and psychiatrist on and , informed by her clinical expertise and personal experience. These selections reflect Big Think's emphasis on empirically grounded insights from credentialed specialists, though the platform's curation occasionally favors accessible narratives over exhaustive peer-reviewed debate.

Organization and Operations

Leadership and Key Figures

Big Think was co-founded in 2007 by Victoria Montgomery Brown and Peter Hopkins, who established the platform as a multimedia portal for expert interviews and idea dissemination. Montgomery Brown, as founding CEO, led early operations and expansion, emphasizing short-form video content to make complex ideas accessible. Hopkins, serving as co-founder and former president, focused on strategy, communications, and operational scaling during the company's formative years. Since approximately 2020, Chandler Tuttle has held the position of CEO, overseeing Big Think under its parent company, Freethink Media, which acquired ownership to integrate it into a broader ecosystem of solutions-focused . Tuttle, also co-founder and CEO of Freethink, has directed efforts toward corporate learning platforms and expert-driven video insights, aligning with the site's into Big Think+. Editorial leadership includes Robert Chapman-Smith as Editor-in-Chief, responsible for curating content from global experts, alongside managing editors like Stephen Johnson who handle commissioning and production. These figures maintain the platform's emphasis on rigorous, idea-centered discourse amid ownership changes and shifts.

Funding Sources and Business Model

Big Think is privately owned by Freethink Media, an entity focused on solution-oriented media publications. The platform has secured modest venture funding, totaling approximately $1.44 million across four rounds, with the latest involving (PPP) debt financing amid the economic disruptions. Key investors include , a co-founder of known for backing intellectual ventures, of , as well as firms such as Founder Collective, , and Palm Ventures; initial backers also encompassed Tom Scott, a telecom entrepreneur. These investments, drawn from sources with a track record in tech and media innovation rather than mainstream institutional funds, reflect targeted support for Big Think's niche in expert-driven content over broad-scale scaling. The business model employs a structure, providing the majority of its video interviews, articles, and discussions freely to attract a wide audience—reaching 40 to 50 million monthly users as of 2020—while monetizing through premium tiers. Revenue streams include , sponsored content, and subscriptions via Big Think+, an e-learning platform offering curated courses and tools for individuals and enterprises seeking . Early operations leaned heavily on sponsorships, as traditional display proved insufficient post-2008 , prompting a pivot to direct partnerships that align content with brand objectives. Freethink Media facilitates additional income through custom content, licensing, and sales inquiries, sustaining operations without reliance on user-generated ads or algorithmic virality. By 2010, Big Think reported achieving profitability, demonstrating viability in a competitive landscape dominated by ad-dependent models. Unverified estimates from secondary platforms suggest annual around $20 million with roughly 85 enterprise clients, though such figures warrant caution due to potential aggregation errors across similar-named entities and lack of audited disclosure. This approach prioritizes depth over volume, avoiding the critiqued in broader media , and has enabled since founding without aggressive expansion funding.

Reception and Impact

Achievements and Influence

Big Think has amassed substantial digital reach, with its YouTube channel accumulating over 8.3 million subscribers and nearly 957 million total video views across more than 9,700 uploads as of late 2025. This platform has enabled the organization to disseminate expert insights on topics ranging from science and philosophy to leadership and innovation, reaching audiences seeking concise, authoritative explanations of complex ideas. In 2011, Time magazine recognized Big Think as the top news and information website, highlighting its early success in curating high-quality intellectual content amid a crowded digital media landscape. The platform's influence extends to professional development through Big Think+, a subscription service offering micro-learning videos tailored for corporate training and organizational growth, which has partnered with LinkedIn Learning since 2018 to integrate its content into broader professional education ecosystems. These efforts have positioned Big Think as a resource for distilling expert knowledge into actionable formats, fostering broader engagement with rigorous thinking in business and education. The organization's output, including interviews with figures like inventor , has contributed to public understanding of emerging technologies and societal challenges by prioritizing direct expert voices over editorial filters, though its impact on discourse remains tied to viewership metrics rather than formal academic citations. Recent expansions, such as multilingual learner guides in 15 languages, underscore ongoing efforts to globalize access to its content library.

Criticisms and Perceived Biases

Criticisms of Big Think have primarily focused on isolated content selections rather than overarching editorial failures. In February 2014, evolutionary biologist faulted a platformed article for amplifying purported limitations of Darwinian by philosopher , whom Coyne labeled a quasi-creationist, claiming it lent undue credence to critiques lacking empirical rigor. Audience reactions have also spotlighted perceived ideological slants in specific videos; for example, content endorsing feminist principles has consistently garnered far higher dislike ratios—often dropping below 90% positive—compared to the platform's typical 90%+ approval rates, prompting speculation of enforced advocacy over neutral inquiry. Perceived biases in Big Think stem partly from its funding ties, including sponsorship by the Foundation since at least 2020, which progressive monitors argue introduces libertarian-leaning influences favoring market-oriented narratives, as seen in videos contrasting Scandinavian models unfavorably with American . Conversely, the platform's dependence on academic experts for interviews risks importing the documented leftward skew in U.S. higher education. Surveys reveal stark imbalances: a 2024 Duke University poll found over 60% of faculty self-identifying as liberal, while national analyses show professors registering as Democrats at ratios exceeding 10:1 in humanities and social sciences. A 2024 FIRE survey further indicated only 20% of faculty view conservatives as fitting well in their departments, compared to 71% for liberals, suggesting selection pressures that favor progressive perspectives on contentious issues like and . These institutional realities, empirically verified across disciplines, imply Big Think's expert-driven format may underrepresent dissenting causal analyses, particularly where consensus aligns with left-leaning priors on topics beyond hard sciences. Despite such concerns, evaluators like deem Big Think minimally biased overall, citing its science-centric, fact-high output.

References

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