How should we improve the NHS?
Give specific details of what could be done and how? Give examples of what is not working with proposed solutions. How could we leverage technology whilst also ensuring privacy?
Democracy works better when we understand each other. Vote on the questions defining our era — then see where people genuinely agree, where they divide, and which ideas can bridge the gap and inform better decisions.
Browse freely without an account. Sign up free or sign in to save your Big Questions progress, votes, and personalised recap. · Trusted by individuals, organisations and governments globally
8 themes. At least 56 policy statements to start — more added as participants contribute. Vote on the issues that define our era, then see where humanity agrees, where it divides, and what might bridge the gap.
Not the right edition? Choose yours below.
Or choose an edition
Our machine learning finds patterns across thousands of votes — surfacing three kinds of insight you won't find anywhere else.
"Access to reliable, unbiased news is essential for a functioning democracy."
This statement was agreed by participants across all political clusters.
"Politicians of all parties have failed to honestly explain the trade-offs of their policies to voters."
Bridge ideas resonate strongly across groups that otherwise disagree — rare common ground.
"The state should guarantee a minimum income for every citizen, regardless of employment status."
Genuine divisions show where deeper democratic deliberation is needed — not just counting votes.
Examples from real discussions on this platform. Your vote changes what society sees. Explore all discussions →
Three steps. Takes under five minutes to start.
Browse discussions on news topics, or take the Big Questions Journey — at least 56 statements across 8 themes, growing as participants contribute their own.
Agree, Disagree, or Unsure on each statement. Add your reasoning if you want. Respectful by design — and anonymous if you prefer.
See consensus, bridge ideas and genuine divisions. Then share the results with the communities, organisations, or policymakers who need to hear them.
Vote on the day’s question. Read the day’s news. Pressure-test your own ideas in a five-minute game.
One carefully chosen question every day. Vote, share your reasoning, then see how others responded. Over time, this creates a longitudinal view of how public opinion evolves.
"The Federal Constitutional Court's independence must be protected against attempts by parliamentary majorities to alter its composition."
5 questions weekly by default · Adjust frequency anytime
3–5 stories daily, vetted for civic impact, analysed for partisan spin, and explained in plain language. Multi-source coverage with left/centre/right breakdown. No ads. No outrage.
Ebola Outbreak Escalates in Eastern DR Congo
Why this matters
For residents in eastern DRC, the outbreak poses immediate health risks and disrupts daily life. Globally, the situation threatens to strain international health resources and response systems.
Russia Launches Missile Strike on Kyiv Amid Ongoing Conflict
Cyprus Parliamentary Elections Focus on Corruption and Costs
EU and Mexico Finalise Expanded Trade Agreement
Women Unite to Bring Abuser to Justice
Free to read · 140+ sources across the spectrum →
You're in charge. A crisis lands on your desk — and every path forward costs something real. Cut spending and lose public trust. Borrow now and burden the next generation. Build fast and fracture communities. Five turns to govern. What kind of leader do you become?
The Housing Squeeze
Daily scenarios · Builds your streak · Links to real discussions
News, analysis, think tanks, and podcasts—curated for quality journalism
News/Analysis Podcast Bias ratings from AllSides | See all 140+ sources
"The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race — those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it."
Philosopher, On Liberty, 1859
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Cultural Anthropologist
Real discussions happening right now.
Give specific details of what could be done and how? Give examples of what is not working with proposed solutions. How could we leverage technology whilst also ensuring privacy?
As the Chancellor prepares her Budget, attention is turning not just to how she could raise more tax - but how she might cut spending. Where does the government actually spend its money? Why is it so difficult to reduce that spending in practice? And what would it take to genuinely pare back the size of the state? Helen Miller is joined by IFS colleagues Ben Zaranko and Tom Waters to unpack the realities behind public spending. They look at how the government’s budget is divided across welfare, public services, and investment; how pressures such as an ageing population, defence commitments and struggling services constrain choices; and whether efficiencies or productivity gains could ever plug the gap. Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membership Find out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information
The Pentagon’s rush to rearm its Mideast forces makes it less ready to confront potential adversaries like Russia and China, administration and congressional officials say
Have a question society should answer?
Start a discussion and see where people actually stand — or run a structured programme for your community.
A Personal Brief subscription funds our open source civic platform — and gives you a custom daily digest from your own sources in return.
Choose your own sources — RSS, Substack, PDFs
AI synthesis from multiple sources, on your schedule
Your subscription directly funds free civic participation for all
From £4.99/month · No credit card required to trial
For organisations
Society Speaks powers structured deliberation, citizen consultation, and civic journalism for organisations across the globe. Embed discussions, commission programmes, and connect your audience to what they actually believe.