I started this practice earlier this year where I meet with scientists and activists and discuss the more challenging parts about their work. I get to know them. I draw pictures. I exchange stickers. The original motivation to do this type of work came from a place of deep curiosity-- an impulse I've nurtured to be nosy and learn about the world and the people in it. Upon reflection, I think the motivation to build this collection of interviews is to demonstrate, to who ever needs it, a model for digging deeper into what they don't understand. I certainly needed that model. People had to teach me how to ask good questions. I had to endure the awkwardness of being uninformed with an audience. I think it unlocked an attentiveness to subject matter in the world that felt inaccessible, too dense to unpack. I think the world opens up when we're able to access our own curiosity, form questions that help us navigate the unknown, and share our knowledge with others. This will be a success if anyone who engages with this content feels some level of motivation to question more intentionally and deeply.

I'm writing all of this because I'm trying to figure out where this work should go. I can speak to my motivations for doing it, but the purpose and utility feels unclear. I want to invite people to be honest with what they see, what they feel, and anything you think I might be missing. In the meantime, I'll proceed to just make. I'll proceed to just do. I'm really hoping the doing will reveal the end game.

If you want to see my progress, check it out here: bytomo.com