A Deceptively Simple Way to Rebuild Trust in Scary Times
Jan 8, 2025
auto_awesome
Wendy MacNaughton, an artist and graphic journalist with a background in social work, shares her innovative approach to connecting strangers through art. She discusses her unique activity where people draw each other for just one minute, fostering meaningful connections and rebuilding trust in an increasingly fractured world. Wendy emphasizes the transformative power of truly seeing one another, encouraging listeners to engage with those they don’t know. Her method not only breaks down barriers but also promotes community and human connection.
Engaging in a simple drawing activity allows strangers to connect deeply, fostering awareness and empathy across diverse backgrounds.
The act of drawing together serves as a vital practice to rebuild trust and community cohesion in an increasingly fractured world.
Deep dives
The Impact of Drawing Together
Engaging strangers in a brief, focused drawing activity fosters meaningful connections between individuals. The act of drawing without looking at the paper encourages participants to truly see one another, promoting a sense of awareness and empathy. For instance, a young girl and a middle-aged man shared emotional insights after their drawing session, highlighting how such experiences can bridge age gaps and create bonds. This interaction exemplifies how simple activities can facilitate understanding and connection among people from diverse backgrounds.
The Need for Community Connection
In a world where social distancing and fear often hinder open interactions, making eye contact and engaging with others is increasingly important for community cohesion. Recognizing each other's humanity can break down barriers and foster a sense of shared responsibility within society. The speaker emphasizes that drawing together is not just a playful activity but a vital practice that can help rebuild trust and relationships in fragmented communities. By creating accessible opportunities for creativity and dialogue, individuals can combat isolation and reconnect in powerful ways.
As the world grows increasingly fractured, taking the time to engage with strangers has become even more important. The artist and graphic journalist Wendy MacNaughton has created a simple but powerful way for people to connect in an isolated world.
In this episode, she shares how she brings people together by having them draw each other in public spaces. All it takes is 60 seconds, two pieces of paper, two pens and the willingness to look — really look — at someone you’ve never met.
Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode