Cannes Lions Grand Prix winners’ creative genius is undisputed. Some stretch tech boundaries; others address tough issues. Post-recession blow-outs, an appetite for risk and a desire to make a difference are major themes for 2014's winners. But what human truths underpin them?

Are Australians still beach mad? How is the face of the average Aussie changing? In our 2014 / 2015 cultural snapshot of Australia, we demystify cultural myths, shed light on the country’s economic outlook, and explore the emerging and established trends across eleven sectors.

Driven by an increasing sense of loneliness, the concept of a shared house is being adopted by Japan's young singletons. Yet with so many people in Japan struggling with social anxieties, how are these micro-communities forming?

A third of the 10,000 Boomers turning 65 each day are entering retirement single. The thought of being shipped off to live in a retirement home is unthinkable for many – but The Golden Girls Network offers house sharing for older single women who are still young at heart.

Seoul has embraced peer-to-peer businesses and become the sharing economy’s model city. Now, the Sharing City initiative is turning it into a blueprint for city governance. But what makes Seoul ideal for this experiment? And what’s really driving Koreans to embrace sharing?

The desire to own and drive your own car used to be a life-defining characteristic for young Brits – but its importance is fading. And it’s the same case in other countries too, from the US and Germany to Japan and Australia. But why? And how is the car industry responding?

A lone diner in a public space draws judgmental onlookers, but with a third of people opting to live alone, is it really that weird? Strategic designer Marina van Goor doesn't think so, and she's decided to tackle the taboo by launching pop-up solo dining eatery Eenmaal.

From avoiding eye contact whilst cramped on the Tube, to barging past tourists on Oxford Circus, Londoners aren't exactly famous for their welcoming demeanour. Encouraging people to talk to strangers, Talk to me London is a crowdfunded initiative that wants to change things.