Forgive me, but there are times when reading tweets and social media threads leaves me feeling drained. The prevalence of ironic, nihilistic screeds often turns discussions into aimless exchanges, overshadowing the potential for exploring new realms of opinion and belief.
While nihilism is still present, a refreshing new wave of optimism is beginning to take root in online culture. In response to the religiously unaffiliated Gen Z, the rise of nihilistic attitudes among both Gen Z and Millennials, and even my own much older generation, which has endured years of hate speech and unconstructive spam, the trending hashtag #hopecore is emerging.
This is critical because all harmful reactions (not to be confused with proactive criticism) have a severe impact on trust – the fundamental currency of all relationships.
Consider conflicts such as Israel vs. Palestine, the divide between right and left political parties in your country (think ‘Democrats vs. Republicans’), or the interactions between tax regulators and businesses. On a more personal level, think about your relationship with a former best friend, friend or colleague. Through my work promoting a zero-tolerance culture in healthcare, I’ve come to understand how trust can be a significant barrier to progress.
From a business perspective, Trustpilot is a brilliant example of how to address the need for trust and hope. Many other industries have begun to follow: wellness tourism, third spaces, spiritual events, social emotional learning, digital health, positive media and entertainment, and so on. And new industries are about to emerge.
What are the implications for your business?