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.

BeReal once dominated the charts of app stores in 2022, but its glory days are ending in the western parts of the world. Meanwhile, the platform has rebirthed itself in Japan, captivating young Gen Z users thanks to the respite it offers against the norms of its society.

Research has found that young Japanese social media users have a burgeoning appetite for challenger apps like BeReal and Threads. The findings speak to audiences' growing fatigue with legacy social platforms and their desire for a more organic approach to digital intimacy.

Japanese fitness group Sogo Fitness has exploded in popularity, attracting a young clientele by blurring the lines between group workouts and social clubs. People are looking to make connections where they build healthy habits, and group fitness is becoming a go-to social activity for many.

K-Pop album sales continue to rise, and one of the main draws is their surprise perks – posters, Polaroids, stickers, and the photocards collected by fans all over the world. Between the DIY culture surrounding them and the opportunity for community building, what makes photocards so attractive?