STRIVE’s content, intentionally random, showcases individuals from across the globe – their ideas, their interests, and their inspirations for innovation that, hopefully, result in positive change. However, as we assembled this issue we realized that individually developed content had organically formed a common narrative; a concern for community had materialized from contributors of different ethnicities, geographies and industries. They expressed concern for the loss of civil discourse and mutual respect, and the dire need for a renewed commitment to civility, inclusion, collaboration and social responsibility.

The topic of community has been on my mind, as well. Specifically, how advances in communication technologies have changed how we interact and communicate – how we live, work and play. Our communities are no longer defined by geography, no longer confined to a village or town. Today’s communities are infinitely more complex. Technology has expanded our reach, changing how we define and create our communities. The effect of this disruption has been both positive and negative.

We often hear inspiring stories of people who have found a community online. Experts have observed that these relationships can be positive, life-changing and, at times, lifesaving. Our social media feeds are full of such encouraging accounts, people sharing stories that would not be possible without the ability to create virtual communities based on mutual concerns and shared ideals. Unfortunately, the same technical advances that allow us to connect with ease can also impede our ability to hold civil, reflective and respectful debates.

Few people are comfortable with conflict on a personal level, and even fewer view conflict as creative and essential to meaningful progress. Thus, it will come as no surprise that most do their best to avoid it. Global connectivity and an endless array of social media platforms make this retreat effortless. Today, conflict avoidance is convenient to the point of being detrimental. Rather than working through the difficulties of conflicting opinions with our friends, neighbors and local community members, we seek comfort and sometimes take refuge in anonymity, or perhaps worse, we become emboldened in forums of the likeminded. After all, it is much more comfortable to have our opinions and beliefs affirmed rather than challenged.

This retreat to communities of the likeminded is understandable but not beneficial. The issues facing communities today are complex to the point of bewildering. While community councils and local, state and federal governments still debate core community issues like infrastructure, education policy and homelessness, increasingly we are becoming aware of our role in, and impact on, the global community. We need to actively engage in respectful civil debate with the intent of mutual betterment to begin to solve these complex global issues.

Creative tension is woven into the fabric of every complex solution that has ever been put forward. It is this tension that forges good ideas into great ones and makes the impossible possible. Community pride is the byproduct of shared struggle and mutual accomplishment. It forms the lattice that results in shared vision.

Local or global, the focus does not matter. What each individual must decide is whether the future will be a product of their positive intentions and engaged effort, or a result of their resistance and/or apathy. It is worth remembering that diamonds are not the only things of value that are formed from heat and pressure.