2020 rewrote the rules on what it means to be a fan as many of the IRL focal points of shared passions – such as live events – were put on an indefinite hiatus. In this Spotlight on Fandom, we explore what it means to be a fan in 2021 and how brands can connect fans to the things they love.

NY Times podcast Still Processing provides a space in which cultural figures and works are explored, offering discussion and understanding amid the cancel and call-out context. It encourages listeners to meditate on cultural moments, and form an opinion through considered conversation.

Call-out culture is thriving in a world that’s increasingly dependent on the web for communication. With people’s interactions influenced by social media algorithms, divisive political discourse, and the anonymity of the internet, how can brands facilitate dialog and respond to public backlash?

Natalie Wynn, aka ContraPoints, is a Gen Y YouTuber, political provocateuse, and video-essayist who tackles cancel culture and alt-right with theatrical esthetic, dark humor, and philosophy. Her videos are aimed at politically curious audiences seeking to move beyond partisan echo chambers.