ComplexitySalon 02: The Experience of Polarisation with Prof. Carl Rhodes & Prof. Chris Mowles

In a turbulent world, those with greater ability to influence chose to push the burden of uncertainty onto those who are already more marginalised, as argued by Chris Mowles here. The greater and more tangible the inequality in society the more likely it is that groups who feel underrepresented become anxious. They then become more susceptible to simplistic solutions. Our slow, sometimes ponderous institutions struggle to keep up with polarising currents of division and authoritarianism, demonstrating that democracy is a fragile achievement. Join Professor Carl Rhodes and Professor Chris Mowles in conversation to discuss some of these themes: 🌆 What is the daily experience of living in polarising societies, and what is our responsibility, if we are doing relatively well, to do something about it? 🧑‍🧒‍🧒 How do we stay in relation across divides? 👥 How might we overcome a sense of alienation and powerlessness to take more responsibility? Carl is the author of Woke Capitalism (2021) and Stinking Rich (2025), amongst others, and has developed a critique of some of the current and worrying trends in late capitalist societies.