Aware of hidden agendas, people no longer believe in the possibility of absolute truth or complete transparency from institutions, public figures, and individuals. Yet they are still drawn to honesty, integrity, and – at times – even vulnerability, which they expect from peers and brands alike.

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.

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.

The Aria Collection hopes to raise awareness about the trauma suffered by children who lose their parents to gun violence. As well as donating a portion of profits towards supporting inflicted families, the dialogue sparked by the clothing line will create spaces for collective healing.

From some angles, the Democratic party is as strong as it has ever been. From others, it’s on the brink of collapse. Its fate lies in the hands of three groups of American voters who will decide the future of the political party and democracy for generations to come – if they show up, that is.

Working alongside Clear Channel, M&C Saatchi released a Mother’s Day campaign that highlighted the devastating effects of knife crime. Using an AI system that recognises sirens on the way to major trauma hospitals, the ad featured real text exchanges between worried mothers and their sons.

With the rise of digitally-powered mutual aid communities, many Americans are choosing to bypass established charities and directly support the causes they care about. Canvas8 spoke to nine people to explore their attitudes to charitable organizations and learn what motivates them to donate.