Strands of Genius: Slow Down Hate, Hate Impact and Prevention, The Effects of Social Media on Teens and Young Adults
Guest curated by Anthony Wolch, Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer
This edition of Strands of Genius is guest curated by Anthony Wolch, Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer of The Beyond Marketing Group. (Faris and Rosie will be back next week!)
:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, ANTHONY WOLCH ::
LOCATION: Ontario, Canada
I grew up in Winnipeg, a town so cold in winter it forced you to make a choice: Lose your toes on frozen hockey ponds or stay indoors and spark your imagination. Thanks to my being a horrible skater, I chose creativity, a decision that set the course for my life.
Over the past 25 years, I’ve lived and worked around the globe—Jamaica, Helsinki, London, Toronto—leading creative efforts for some of the world’s biggest brands. But a year ago, a phone call shifted my trajectory. The voice on the other end said: “You’re a creative leader. You’ve tackled complex challenges. Can you figure out how to slow the rise of hate?” My first reaction was disbelief—“Me?”—But, as they say, challenge accepted.
That conversation gave birth to See The Good, a global, data-driven, celebrity-powered platform aimed at reducing hate. Launched on January 7, 2025, with the support & iconic voice of Michael Douglas, the initiative has since drawn support from luminaries like Gene Simmons, Mayim Bialik, Van Jones, Darryl Davis and Geddy Lee. Through powerful storytelling, See The Good amplifies empathy and understanding, uniting voices to counter hate with positivity.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. UNESCO reports that 74% of young people encounter hate speech daily, eroding mental health and fostering division. Social media, a double-edged sword, has become a breeding ground for hate and harassment. The consequences? A rising mental health crisis marked by anxiety, depression, and social fragmentation.
Hate isn’t just a social issue—it’s a public health emergency. See The Good offers a remedy, sparking conversations, building bridges, and reminding us that unity is our most powerful tool. The rise in hate may be exponential, but so is the potential for change. Together, as a global creative village, it’s time we tackled the pandemic of our times. Please join me.
:: A HOT TAKE ON BOLD BEGINNINGS ::
We asked Anthony: How can marketers balance bold ideas that inherently involve risk with strategic safety nets?
Here’s what he said:
Data & Insights. Over the past 15 years I have conducted over 50 global data studies for big brands, for the express purposes of distilling insights that give marketers the permission to create & distribute bold campaigns that they might have been historically impermissible to comfortably produce.
There is no silver bullet - But sharp, timely, irrefutable data can be a bit like Kevlar for a marketer.
:: THE LINKS ::
SLOW DOWN HATE
In a world often divided, SEE THE GOOD shines a spotlight on what unites us. In partnership with The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, this global anti-hate campaign harnesses the power of celebrity voices and emotionally resonant storytelling to promote understanding, inspire hope, and spark meaningful change. Every person with a platform has the opportunity and obligation to slow down hate. Join us. (See The Good)
HATE: IMPACT & PREVENTION
Hate doesn’t just target communities—it erases voices. This UN article uncovers the human cost of hate, with a piercing focus on women journalists, who face relentless harassment simply for existing in the public sphere. From online threats to offline violence, the ripple effects of unchecked hate can silence stories that need to be told. A powerful call to confront hate and protect those who speak truth to power. (United Nations)
THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge studies the effects of social media on the well-being of a generation that has never known life without smartphones. In this eye-opening piece, she reveals the heavy toll of social media on teens—especially young girls—with soaring depression rates and mounting pressures. From addictive algorithms to body image struggles, Twenge explores how hyper-connectivity is reshaping childhood and what parents and policymakers can do to protect the next generation. (San Diego State University)
:: FAST FAVORITES ::
Game :: Scrabble
City :: Negril
Podcast :: Smartless
:: KINDNESS CHECK ::
“One person with the compassion to care, and the courage to act can confront evil, prevail & transform history” - Irwin Cotler
There has never been a more important time to see what unites us.
:: ‘TIL NEXT TIME ::
This edition was guest curated by Anthony Wolch, who you can connect with via LinkedIn. Your regularly scheduled hosts, Rosie & Faris Yakob, will be back next week!
Hit reply if you’ve got a guest curator that we should highlight - There’s no fancy application process, we just want a few sentences as to why they (or you!) would be a good fit. (Because yes, self-nominations are always accepted!)
It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.
Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.
Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)