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
The Addiction Economy — it's not you it's them will be published late 2026.
Email hilary@societyinside.com if you would like to be notified when it is published.
The book synopsisFor 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 clear and compelling terms why that framing is wrong, and why it suits the industries that profit from our struggle that we think that.
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 not as a personal failing, but as self-care gone wrong: the human impulse to find comfort, relief and connection, exploited and monetised.
Because the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, as we are told — it is connection — the book makes the case for a Connection Economy, where our social environment is designed to meet those needs through community, connection and genuine belonging, rather than leaving us dependent on products that promise relief but deliver harm.
More news on that to come!
Our Work
Three ways we work
01
Research
Original research, independent and collaborations, in areas which 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 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 stems from the findings of our 4 year research programme on Dismantling the Addiction Economy and Building the Connection Economy. It is also an intergenerational collaboration between mother and son. We look forward to announcing the names of our fantastic Trustees, Young Person’s Advisory Council and Associates in the near future.
Get Involved
Interested in funding, collaborating, or getting involved?
We are in the process of registering as a charity. If you are interested in donating, collaborating or just getting involved contact Joe at joe@thefirstthird.org.
Contact Joe