People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

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.

With their formative years hindered by pandemic lockdowns, it’s no wonder why Gen Alphas found comfort in online communities. On the gaming platform Roblox, Southeast Asian Gen Alphas advocate for their beliefs – from politics to religion – in a way no other generation has before.

Skibidi Toiletdisregards conventional storytelling. The eccentric animated cartoon about toilet wars has taken off on YouTube and is dominating Gen Alpha’s digital realities through fun, short-form content, blending nostalgia with innovation to capture audiences’ attention.

The MyBuddy.ai startup has raised $1 million in funding to further develop its AI-powered virtual English tutor, which helps kids master the language. With digital learning tools growing in popularity during the COVID-19 outbreak, parents are looking for innovative ways to sustain access to education.

With people hesitant to get active and take up sports, Nike is trying to reframe perceptions around sport by shifting away from elite-athlete and tournament-focused narratives. Instead, it’s highlighting the fun and joyful aspects of sport with a campaign that celebrates failure.