From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

When it comes to dating, what we want and how we want it is changing – post-pandemic, people want tangible relationships. After Tinder had its most swipes in history on the first Sunday after the onset of COVID-19, many have grown tired of swiping and are seeking more from the dating landscape.

Bumble is testing a speed dating feature that will allow users to chat with one another before deciding to match. The superficial, appearance-focused nature of most dating apps has left many users weary, but this update could facilitate meaningful connections and avoid early red flags.

Gen Zers are bringing their political and social beliefs into the dating realm, according to a report from Tinder. Brands looking to build deeper connectionswith young people may learn from this preference for like-minded mates by demonstrating their own political alignment.

Whether on the search for a hook-up or something longer-lasting, digital dating platforms have become the first port of call for many singletons. Canvas8 spoke to three experts to learn more about the modern romance landscape and to find out whether apps have killed the long-term relationship.