Good news, readers: even virtual assistants are catching on to the solutions journalism thing.
This week we learned that the Guardian’s Upside series that you subscribe to is going to be part of a Google experiment to spread good news via its voice assistant.
Here’s how it works: a user asks their assistant: “Hey Google, tell me something good.” The voice replies with news summaries taken from articles by the Guardian and other news organisations collated by the Solutions Journalism Network. It will share a link to the full story on the news outlet’s website.
A few caveats: the service is only available in the US at the moment – and of course, it presupposes that you’re the kind of person who likes talking to a machine. For those who don’t, you’ll still find us in all the usual places.
So what would our virtual friend be chuntering about this week? Well, there is the British mum who responded to a terminal cancer diagnosis by setting up a network to look after the children of fellow sufferers. And the Greeks who defied austerity by establishing their country’s first smart city.
There is the Afghan helping his fellow translators who worked for the British army on the frontline to secure immigration status in the UK. And the sweet story about the kidney transplant survivor who now works as a doctor in the hospital that saved her life as a girl.
Meanwhile, a quick word about impact: two weeks ago, we reported on the Iranian cleric who criss-crosses the poorest parts of his country to bring books and reading sessions to children. As a result of reader generosity, Esmail Azarinejad now says he will be able to replace his dilapidated Peugeot with a proper “mobile library for kids”. For all you Farsi speakers out there, here is the link.
What we liked
Our former colleague John Vidal explored the benefits of permaculture for the Huffington Post. The Economist meanwhile noted that nuclear security is getting better almost everywhere.
What we heard
Wonderful story about a wonderful person in a wonderful health service.
Castlefield, writing below the line in the kidney transplant story
This organisation in Germany helps people that want to live together to acquire houses without them having to use their own money and lending from banks without them being at risk. They have over 131 successful projects in Germany, they have a model which I think should be exported all over the world. Not very many people know about this but is a great thing. Please help spread the word.
Reader Jesusrw, via email
Where was the Upside?
In India, where the country’s supreme court unanimously ruled to decriminalise homosexual sex in a landmark judgment for gay rights.
If there is a story, innovation or trailblazer you think we should report on, write to us at theupside@theguardian.com
