Most brand-led community building focuses on people loosely aggregated around a brand, where the brand is the hero, and the people mostly interact with the brand.

Social isolation may be the leading problem of our era.

• Make contact with people you disagree with.
• Share collective joy and pain.
• Speak up politely when you disagree.
• Embrace the paradox. Those with a strong sense of belonging often demonstrate a mix of traits, such as the courage to stand alone, while also being engaged ...

Technology is part of the problem of disconnection, as we're replacing deep, emotion-driving in-person relationships with superficial online relationships.

In previous eras, people used to gather around a faith group, neighborhood association, or trade union.