Co-facilitator of a design thinking session on social challenges.
∎ Brainstorming session held at the Haas School of Business, three years after graduation.
∎ Focused on societal division and the challenges of social atomization.
∎ Identified key themes: social atomization, internal coherence, and self-compassion.
∎ Created actionable “How might we” statements, focused on societal connection and personal well-being.
This project began with a desire to reconnect in person with my best friend, Liam, with whom I frequently engage in conversations about societal challenges. Three years after graduation, we returned to the library at the Haas School of Business for a full day of brainstorming, where we explored pressing issues relevant to our generation. What emerged was the concept of social atomization—a phenomenon of increasing isolation driven by hyper-consumption, over-complexity, and a pervasive sense of precarity in modern life.
This session was deeply personal and reflective, as we applied design thinking to define the problem and map out meaningful solutions. One of the highlights from this weekend was visiting SF MoMA, where we experienced the Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love exhibit. A photo we took on the Oculus Bridge—showing our reflections fragmented in crystals—perfectly symbolized the themes of social atomization and division we had discussed.
During the session, we generated several “How might we” statements, ultimately focusing on the core question:
“How might we enhance individuals’ awareness and control over their interactions with digital content and algorithms to promote a healthier, more conscious engagement that supports societal connection and personal wellness?”
We also explored ways to empower individuals to recognize and adjust their consumption patterns to combat social isolation and enhance community connection. While the project remains in the brainstorming and research phase, it continues to be a central topic of conversation, representing our ongoing commitment to addressing social fragmentation through thoughtful design and innovation.
