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.

Why are people seeking out less combative conversations? How have eco behaviours become part of consumers’ everyday lives? What’s driving people to get vocal about the issues that matter to them? How can brands display genuine empathy and support during a cost of living crisis?

In the US, the pandemic exacerbated social and political rifts – with polarized visions of the world becoming even more acute. With the aim of combating such divisions, The Human Library provides people with the chance to discuss contentious issues with others outside of their social network.

Discover Forgiveness, an initiative of the Templeton World Charity Foundation, is an interactive tool that provides access to research on forgiveness to the public. Amid global crises and widespread polarization, how can brands address societal rifts and support those struggling with mental health?

Research suggests that a minority of American Twitter users account for the vast majority of political messages on the platform, with over-50s leading this discourse. As social networks become more splintered along generational lines, their politics are also becoming more polarized.