The past decade has seen political polarisation – accelerated by social media’s filter bubbles and echo chambers – deepen and mutate. An ominous era of a polycrisis has shattered any remaining societal consensus. Meanwhile, powerful anti-establishment voices have stepped into the void.

Despite being digital natives, Gen Zers are being drawn to an institution that’s thousands of years old – the public library. The ability to foster a community, disconnect from the web, and access a plethora of stories for free are just a few reasons why these spaces are pulling in young readers.

Social media platform Geneva has become popular among Gen Zers who wish to connect privately and directly with other users who share similar interests. As people reject performative social feeds in favor of authentic online interactions, how are community-oriented apps keeping users engaged?

Frond aims to build communities around shared interests, creating new avenues for people to develop online conversations. It is part of a series of social platforms launching in response to growing distrust of legacy services, tapping the in-between space of community-building and socialising.

Pantone has announced Peach Fuzz as its color of the year for 2024. The shade of orangey-pink represents caring, community, and collaboration. As people pay more attention to hues and how they can alter moods, there’s an opportunity for brands to play with contemporary color associations.