The Problem
The Addiction Economy
Ten industries whose business model is to undermine our ability to control our use of their products past the point at which they harm us.
6 digital
4 physical
The Counterweight
The Connection Economy
A Connection Economy describes a society which makes a conscious choice to arrange spaces, transport, activities and institutions so that the easiest thing to do leads people towards each other.
Our book
IT'S NOT YOU - IT'S THEM: from the Addiction Economy to the Connection Economy
Published Spring 2027For decades, being unable to control your use of something — perhaps your eating, scrolling, drinking, gambling — has been treated as a personal weakness, a lack of willpower. This book shows in compelling terms why that framing is wrong.
What looks like an individual problem is in reality the predictable result of a commercial environment built to hook us. Joe and Hilary reframe this as Self-Care Gone Wrong and show exactly how the human impulse to find comfort, relief and connection is exploited and monetised.
The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, as we are told — it is connection. The book introduces the antidote: a Connection Economy, where our social environment is designed instead for community, connection and genuine belonging.
Our Work
What we do
01
Research
Original research, independent and collaborations, focused on how to help young people thrive.
02
Peer-to-peer
Helping young people share and learn from each other about what's getting in their way, and how to move the obstructions.
03
Connection incubation
Incentivising personal connection between people — face to face, boys and girls, old and young, in real places, across communities, backgrounds and ages.
Founders
About Us
The creation of The First Third was inspired by the findings of our 4 year research programme on Dismantling the Addiction Economy and Building the Connection Economy. It is an intergenerational collaboration between mother and son.
We look forward to announcing the names of our fantastic Youth Strategy Board and Advisors in the near future.
Get Involved
Interested in funding, collaborating, or getting involved?
The First Third is a Community Interest Company. If you would like to partner with us, donate, collaborate or just get involved - contact Joe at joe@thefirstthird.org.