History shows us that humans have always desired a sense of belonging. We seek safety in numbers, exercise conformity and rely on collectivity to show us the right direction. Whether we mean to or not, gathering in groups — crowding, bunching or herding — is a natural part of our lives. We asked writers to investigate this phenomenon further, dissecting the patterns and like-mindedness that exist among us.
In this issue, some writers looked toward topical trends like the popularization of Asian products, cancel culture and Taylor Swift.Others dug into the recent uptick in cosmetic procedures, while an-
other reported on the die-hard sports community. In a satire, one writer explored censorship and its tie to current events. Finally, our feature story examines the relationship between religion and policy.
