Apologies in advance: the Upside has been too riveted by events in the US this week to do much else. This most divisive, bad-tempered election might not seem fertile ground for optimism. But we spotted plenty.
A huge turnout. Heroic vote counters putting in magnificent double shifts. A determination to uphold democracy in the face of the pandemic. A robust institutional system, able to contain the sharpest differences of opinion and channel them towards a mandate.
As for the outcome, the Upside has always steered clear of party politics. We prefer ideas to idealogues, zeal to zealots. We’re more interested in the trial than the tribal.
We are for collaboration, for innovation, for science, for honesty, for compassion, for ingenuity, for spirit, for courage in the face of adversity. We are for any president who embodies and encourages the same.
And so to this week’s list of the Guardian’s most optimistic journalism, which includes:
• Reasons to be hopeful in the US election. Three-minute read
• C Covid vaccine approved by Christmas? Four-minute read
• How Estonia excels at digital learning. Two-minute read
• Culture to pick you up during lockdown. Mini-series
• Therapeutic music in Nigeria. Three-minute read
Source: US Politics - theguardian.com
