Influencers are running for election in Indonesia (and winning).
And the challenges of running a fashion brand in the West Bank.
“The Intersection” is your Monday, Wednesday, and Friday briefing on global affairs, business, culture, and design— helping you learn about the world through the lenses of sustainable development, women-centered perspectives, and emerging global trends.
Morning! Happy Friday!
Let’s get into some interesting topics…
Netanyahu says Israel will occupy Syria’s buffer zone for the foreseeable future.
Fury in the UK as women hit by a rise in pension age are denied payouts.
Today is the US government’s shutdown deadline, which looms as the Trump-backed revised spending plan fails to pass the House. (Trump had thwarted a previous funding deal.)
Influencers and the Indonesian Ballot Box. The creator economy is reshaping politics in Indonesia, where over 20 influencers were elected to parliament during the world’s largest single-day election earlier this year. In Southeast Asia's largest social media market, influencers leverage vast followings and personal resources to fund campaigns (both their own and others), turning elections into popularity contests with diminished policy debates. Critics argue that many lack political acumen, enter office unprepared, and stay uninformed. This trend raises questions about whether popularity should outweigh competency in governance. (I don’t think so.) While these influencers may bring fresh perspectives, their rise also underscores how charisma can eclipse substance in the digital age. It’s a fascinating, if uneasy, reflection of our shifting political landscape.
Is this a troubling sign of governance reduced to popularity, or could it reflect a growing desire for relatable, grassroots leaders? Would you vote for an influencer in your own elections?
Maryland's Black Farming Renaissance. Access to land and capital has long hindered young farmers, particularly Black and Indigenous growers. In Maryland, Gail Taylor and D’Real Graham are charting a course to build a resilient, Black-led agricultural community with the support of alternative finance groups. Dirt Capital Partners is one of them. They buy the land and then lease it to farmers at affordable rates, allowing them to build equity and eventually purchase their farms under fair terms. Impact investors fund all of it, and each project is assessed based on its ability to deliver across an impact framework that includes interconnected factors like racial equity, soil health, and climate resilience.
Reading this story filled me with hope. It’s the kind of practical, values-driven solution we need to address systemic barriers in agriculture and land ownership. Supporting these farmers ensures that those deeply committed to domestic food supply and sustainable farming practices can thrive!! I believe models like this have the potential to create generational change in the food system—and I’d love to see more investors and policymakers back similar initiatives across the country.
A New Opera. Paris and Nicole have reunited for a three-episode series, where they embark on creating an opera based on their favorite (one-word) song, “sanasa.” Love them. I will be watching.
Churchill’s Polar Bear Predicament. Churchill, Canada, known as the polar bear capital of the world, faces an increasing challenge as climate change disrupts the natural cycle of ice formation. As the Hudson Bay stays ice-free longer, polar bears, stranded on land, are forced into closer and more frequent contact with humans in search of food. With the growing risk of conflict, the town relies on its polar bear alert team—trained rangers who work daily to keep the animals away from populated areas, safeguarding both humans and bears. This situation serves as a stark reminder of climate change’s far-reaching consequences. Locals advise: don’t walk alone at night, stay “bear aware,” and never run from a charging bear… Seems like a good thing to log in the back of your brain.
Digital Lifeline in Yucatán. The Mexican state of Yucatán, grappling with a suicide rate twice the national average, has embraced AI to tackle the crisis. In 2022, the government partnered with the MeMind app, an AI-driven mental health tool that analyzes user responses to detect and address suicide risks. With 80,000 users, the app has been credited with a 9% drop in the suicide rate. Its ability to identify behavioral changes and enable timely interventions exemplifies how technology can expand mental health resources. While such tools raise questions about data privacy and their reliance on algorithms, they also highlight the potential of accessible, scalable mental health solutions in regions with limited resources. Striking the balance between innovation and ethical concerns is crucial as AI becomes a more prominent player in public health.
Could this AI-driven approach to mental health care be a model for other regions facing similar crises?
A Group Trip to Adelaide. If I could, I’d be on the next flight to Adelaide, Australia, to see Radical Textiles at the Art Gallery of South Australia—a show stitching together the threads of history, art, and activism. Featuring nearly 200 works from over 150 artists and designers, the exhibition spans union banners, haute couture, indigenous weaving, drag costumes, and even pink shorts famously worn by a politician in solidarity with the queer community. Exploring textiles’ ties to exploited labor and resilience, the exhibit proves fabric is more than decoration—it’s a force shaping cultural and political narratives. For more insight, tune into a great Wardrobe Crisis episode on this exhibit, and might I also suggest a read of Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times.
Iceland Tops Women’s Power Index. The Women’s Power Index by the Council on Foreign Relations ranks 193 UN member states on gender parity in political representation. It analyzes the proportion of women who serve as heads of state or government, in cabinets, in national legislatures, as candidates for national legislatures, and in local government bodies and visualizes the gender gap in political representation. Iceland leads the list, with a woman president (Halla Tómasdóttir), a majority-female cabinet, and nearly half its national legislature composed of women (this reminds me that I have been meaning to read this book). Meanwhile, the United States ranks 72nd. There are currently 28 women heads of state or government (in 26 countries) out of the 193 member states. This report highlights the stark global gender gaps in leadership roles and the challenges many countries still face in achieving true political equality. Iceland’s success stands as a powerful example of what is possible with genuine political commitment.
Image via CFR Crafting Resilience: Nöl Collective’s Palestinian Roots. In a poignant piece from The Cut, Yasmeen Mjalli, founder of Nöl Collective, shares the challenges of running a fashion brand in the West Bank. Her clothing line, which employs around 40 artisans from small businesses & women's cooperatives, incorporates indigenous Palestinian practices, such as hand-dying fabric with natural dyes, utilizing traditional weaving methods, and employing a network of locals to hand-embroider. The brand's focus on increasing embroidery in their collections ensures artisans receive more compensation, vital in a region marked by war and economic instability. Despite the ongoing hardships, Mjalli’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and empowering her community shines through. It's a powerful reminder of how creativity can flourish even in the most difficult circumstances and how fashion becomes not only an art form but an act of resistance and economic empowerment.
“If you’re not even going to acknowledge what is happening in Gaza, you should at least acknowledge that what you’re wearing is inherently political. Someone made your fabric. Someone in some country had to grow the cotton and then weave it to make the fabric. You’re talking about labor practices. You’re talking about the environment. Fashion is inherently political. Every single person who creates fashion is involved in a political framework.” - Yasmeen Mjalli via The Cut.
Photographed in Ramallah via Nöl Collective New Titles to Discover. Scientific American has compiled a list of 78 must-read books from this year, covering a wide range of topics. Among the many notable works, you'll find thought-provoking explorations of science, technology, and culture that promise to expand your understanding of the world.
The astronomer Carl Sagan wrote in 1973,
“All of the rocky and metallic material we stand on, the iron in our blood, the calcium in our teeth, the carbon in our genes were produced billions of years ago in the interior of a red giant star. We are made of star-stuff.”
Dezeen Awards China 2024: Honoring Visionary Design. This year’s Dezeen Awards China spotlighted a remarkable array of talent redefining architecture and design in the country. Winners included MMR Studio, channeling the essence of Inner Mongolia into her innovative works, and Line+ Studio, celebrated for their contributions in both urban and rural settings. But for me, the standout was Wonder Architects, who designed the exhibition installations and a permanent historical exhibition at Hong'en Temple in Beijing. The temple dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, and over the past 700 years, its functions and forms have continually evolved, making it a prime example of the transformation of Beijing's old city. Their modular installations at Beijing’s historic Hong’en Temple marry traditional aesthetics with modern adaptability, creating a transformative narrative framework. It's inspiring to see how design can preserve cultural heritage while offering fresh, dynamic ways to engage with history. These projects affirm how thoughtful design shapes how we understand our spaces and stories. Plus, I will always have a soft spot for Beijing architecture after living there for a year during my university days.
And that is all for today! Stay curious, and let me know what you are reading/learning about in the comments.
Much love,
Jennifer
xxx