The Starting Block

There’s no shortage of pop psychology articles devoted to the topic of community; how civilization came to be when bands of nomadic travellers decided to settle down, raise crops and form societies; and how we, as humans, need it to survive.

Society is a scaleless word that can apply to any number of people living or communing in an organized fashion, making decisions on how they conduct themselves and sharing work or interests (or so says the Cambridge Dictionary). Today, we can just as easily claim membership in our global village as in any number of highly niche groups (maybe online, maybe whose members have never met in person) aligned on a hobby, belief or interest.

Whatever it is that connects you to your community, or however many you identify with, what’s certain is that you’re better for it. From benefits to longevity—identified by Dan Buettner in his bestselling book Blue Zones—to the sense of purpose or belonging it brings, community can help you live a longer life, a better one, and maybe even save it.

Allied’s tenants form a community that spans various industries and regions. Allied serves this pan-Canadian community through its spaces, this magazine and the (upcoming) launch of the Block by Allied amenity hub in Toronto’s King West Village. To celebrate this expansion of Allied’s commitment to connecting and supporting its users, we focus this issue, broadly, on the theme of community (and proudly feature more Allied tenants than ever).

There’s Zain Nayani, an advocate for Indigenous Nations (The Business) who, coming from Pakistan, brings his own post-colonial perspective to bear on his community-bolstering efforts. Then there’s the community of creators linked through 3D software engine Unity’s products. Block peeks at the company’s well-used, collaboration-supporting Montreal space (The Interior). Looking beyond Allied’s community of users,

we speak with the founding members of Function (The Conversation) —a platform that supports and celebrates Canada’s nascent ballroom community and provides a sense of belonging to its members (some who are vulnerable). And, for pure enjoyment, there’s The Blueprint, where we ask readers to match the community of animals, people or things to its appropriate collective noun.

Because community can be a lifesaver, but it can also be a congress, swarm or pride and, occasionally, a raucous riot.