Start Here: What is the Vibes Project?
Learn about the project and what to expect as a subscriber.
We all have vibes, invisible signals that shape how we see each other. This project is about decoding them.
What it is: I’m developing a model of four recurring “vibes” you can spot in everyday life. They are authentic parts of us that help us socialize and make impressions. By understanding the dominant vibes, we can see people (including ourselves) from a new, more informed perspective.
Why it matters: Other people’s minds are a mystery to us. We can’t experience another person’s reality or how they think. This leads to disagreements and confusion. Vibes provide a way to solve the mystery and reveal what’s hidden in plain sight. When you understand and recognize vibes, you can collaborate, hire, parent, and relate with less confusion.
Who this is for: While vibes apply to everyone, the newsletter is most attractive to people interested in psychology, neuroscience, neurodiversity, and human nature. If you enjoy thought-provoking ideas and analysis, this is for you.
Who am I? I’m Lee LeFever, the author of The Art of Explanation and founder of Common Craft, the company that pioneered the explainer video genre in 2007. I’ve spent my life trying to understand and explain the human condition. This project is based on years of reading and thinking.
The Four Vibes (at a glance)
These are the four vibes of the Vibes Project. Click to read introductions.
The Natural Vibe – effortlessly cool and composed, can be aloof
The Analyst Vibe – curious and rational, can be awkward
The Feeler Vibe – sensitive and empathetic, can be overwhelmed
The Performer Vibe – trendy and dramatic, can be intense
Most of us are a blend of vibes. Your mix is part of what makes you unique. I think of vibes being on a spectrum.
What you’ll get
A free newsletter with no ads or sponsorships
Weekly posts, all under 5-minute reads
Insights based on science and research
Creative explanations of ideas and concepts
Case studies from science, culture, personal experiences, and media
Invitations to try resources like assessments and chatbots
Why subscribe?
You’ll start to see yourself, your friends and family, and familiar situations from a new perspective.
You’ll help pressure-test the framework while it’s being built.
You’ll get first access to tools and assessments as they’re created.
I’m inviting feedback, skepticism, and new ideas. If this project can’t stand up to scrutiny, it doesn’t deserve to spread.