Belonging
News emphasizes division, reinforcing atomization. This lens finds community bonds, rootedness, and intergenerational connections.
What bias does this lens correct?
News emphasizes division, conflict, and isolation, reinforcing a sense of atomization. Robert Putnam described in Bowling Alone (2000) how social bonds are eroding. But the focus on polarization hides the communities that are holding together. This lens corrects that.
What does this lens find?
Articles about communities holding together or growing: intergenerational bonds, local networks, mutual care, and initiatives that strengthen connection. Not nostalgia, but living communities.
Scoring dimensions
Each lens evaluates articles on six dimensions. Together they form the profile you see in the radar chart.
Connections between generations, young and old together
Strength of social bonds and local networks
Mutual support and interdependence between people
Sense of home, connection to place and community
Finding meaning through contributing to something larger
Unhurried, attentive connection with others
How does scoring work?
Our AI analysis system evaluates each article on the dimensions above with a score from 0 to 10. The weighted average determines whether an article passes the lens. Articles below the threshold are not shown. Not because they are bad, but because they do not fit strongly enough what this lens looks for.
Limitations
These dimensions are designed criteria informed by existing research. They are not established psychometric scales. The AI model can make mistakes: missing relevant articles or letting irrelevant ones through. The scores are a selection tool, not a definitive judgment of a story's value.
Want to know more?
Read how we work for the full picture, or browse the source code on GitHub.