United we Stand. Divided we Scroll.

In the great mosaic of human, lived experience, you would think that the pieces of our common ground would create a beautifully cohesive picture. After all, we all share fundamental concerns: the desire for safety, the pursuit of happiness, the hope for a brighter future for our children, and the universal need for connection and relationships. Yet, as we scroll through our social media feeds or engage in spirited debates with colleagues, friends and family, it becomes very clear that our shared interests often transform into battlegrounds of polarising disagreement.

This seems ironic. We are all part of the same human narrative, each story filled with joys, struggles, and aspirations. Yet, in the age of the internet, where information travels faster than the speed of light, we find ourselves more entrenched in our echo chambers. Algorithms curate our feeds, serving us content that reinforces our beliefs while conveniently filtering out the opposing views. The result? A world where we may have more in common than ever yet feel more divided.
Consider the ambitions we share. Most of us want a healthy economy, a sustainable environment, and a society that values equality, fairness and justice. Yet, these noble goals can easily become points of contention. One person’s vision of economic growth may clash with another's environmental concerns. The same desire for equality can lead to heated debates over the methods to achieve it. We all seem to be trying to navigate the same road and just disagree (vehemently) on which direction to take.

So, what’s the solution to this paradox? Embrace our shared humanity? Instead of focusing solely on our differences, we might find value in celebrating what we have in common. Engaging in discussions and relationships that value understanding over ‘winning’ can help bridge the divide.

It is disheartening to observe how easily we can slip into discord over our shared interests and collective journey. By recognising the threads that bind us, we might just weave a more harmonious narrative for the future—one that appreciates and draws strength from both our similarities and our differences.   

Jamie Thompson