Bridging Divides Through Shared Interests: Join the Conversation
An app that matches people based on opposing ideologies but shared interests.
In a world increasingly divided by ideologies, beliefs, and cultural differences, there’s an urgent need for spaces where people can connect meaningfully. Imagine an app that brings together individuals with differing ideologies but shared interests—whether it’s storytelling, the outdoors, psychology, language learning, sex, relationships, or staying the hell away from Instagram gurus. By focusing on common goals, the Born Without Borders platform fosters dialogue, understanding, growth, and, hopefully, some relationships that pull us away from our screens.
As part of this journey, I’m also exploring in-person retreats and online courses designed to help participants connect and grow through language, storytelling, and shared passions. These retreats and courses will complement the app, creating opportunities to deepen these connections in structured and supportive ways.
Before diving into development and how this connects to Substack, I want to hear from you. Your input is vital to shaping this platform. Below, you’ll find a survey to help guide this vision. But first, here’s a glimpse of what the retreats and courses could look like:
Retreats and Courses Overview
In-Person Retreats:
Retreats will foster dialogue and understanding through shared activities, such as storytelling workshops, outdoor excursions, and cultural exchanges.
Participants will explore themes such as identity, belonging, and bridging divides while honing their storytelling skills in real-life, immersive settings.
Online Courses:
The courses will combine live sessions with self-paced materials, focusing on storytelling and communication skills.
Topics may include crafting impactful personal stories, understanding cultural nuances, and engaging in respectful, meaningful discussions.
Subscriptions will include access to a growing library of resources, monthly workshops, and a community forum to connect with others.
ESL (English as a second language) students can also book additional private classes through englishforglobalcitizens.com.
Survey: Help Shape This Vision
Your feedback will make sure this platform and its offerings are tailored to your needs. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts:
On the App
On Retreats
On Courses
About You
General Feedback
What excites you most about this vision? What concerns you?
Conclusion
I hope to use the app and retreats to attract universities and organizations interested in deep democracy. However, I believe this is possible in collaboration with Substack.
I’ve often shared Notes pointing to the fact Substack pushes American discourse and excuses figures like Elon Musk, who dismantle democracies behind the deeply flawed rhetoric of free speech. Rather than complain, I’d like to take matters into my own hands. It’s time to organize events worldwide to show people what is possible on Substack. We can become a place that truly stands for diverse ideas rather than pushing ‘Merican cultural imperialism.
Your feedback is crucial to making this app and vision a reality. Together, we can create a platform that bridges divides through shared interests, the power of language, and storytelling.
Please share this with anyone you know who might be interested. I am also interested in collaborating with you and growing this together!
Born Without Borders is a reader-supported guide to the craft of nonconformity, cultural psychology, travel writing and how to salir de las fronteras que impone tu mente. Both free and paid subscriptions are available. If you want to support my work and help me upgrade to more than one cabin bag, the best way is to take out a paid subscription or Buy Me a Coffee.
More by Born Without Borders
The first thing we have to accept is that there will always be those who will never be interested in meeting across the great divide.
The next thing…learn from the West Indies. We were thrown together, from all ethnic groups, and though it isn’t perfect…because, people are just people…we’ve managed to really live it up, marry, have friends from diverse backgrounds.
Clearly this is something the world needs now more than ever. But that also means I think it will be even more challenging. Honestly, I feel so battered and bewildered by all of the news I just want to hide away. I'm not, but that's what I want to do...