Beyond the Hashtag: Why Progressive Platforms Must Build Futures, Not Just Protest

In an era dominated by viral outrage and moral clarity, progressive leaders face a critical choice: remain commentators or become architects of the future. This article argues that beyond calling out injustice, whether in situations of War, Tasmania’s salmon farms, or threatened forests there lies a responsibility to foster convivial governance. By inviting communities into genuine, participatory conversations, and using imagination as a core democratic organ, movements can co-create sustainable, inclusive futures. Drawing on global examples like Barcelona’s Decidim and EcoPeace Middle East, the piece calls on platformed activists to move from critique to collaborative scenario-building, ensuring that the “day after” belongs to those who build it.

About the Author
Dr Emily Samuels-Ballantyne (also known as Dr. Demeter) is an eco-philosopher, farmer, and author of the forthcoming series The Spiral Shelves: Living Library of Magical Farm Tasmania. Her work bridges policy design, ecological healing, and the spiritual-cultural renewal of place. She works at the intersection of community resilience, regenerative governance, and embodied stewardship, inviting new myths and models for living well together in times of great change.