As we approach another pivotal election season, I find myself reflecting on the journey that led me to partner with Scott to create the first prototype of AllSides over a decade ago. I grew up in a small town surrounded by Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, educated and not. The quality of the character of each person had nothing to do with any of those different circumstances. We often disagreed, but got together and took care of each other when needed.

We have all seen a troubling shift away from that world. Friends and family members avoid discussing politics altogether, fearing arguments or strained relationships. And it seems that the more we avoid those discussions, the bigger and more frightening those differences seem. It seems like we're all speaking different languages, living in different realities. 

Major news media on both sides lie to us. The big lie is that they make us think that the other side is more extreme and dangerous than they really are. Sure, there are extremists on both sides. In a country of 335 million people, it is easy to find and showcase the worst extremes every day. 

So that is what they do. By “they” I am referring to most big media and big tech (from social media to search engines like Google). They push their own political agendas by manipulating us with fear and division. They make more money in the short term by highlighting the most extreme and sensational examples of the other side since this drives more clicks and more passion, leading to more ad views and more subscriptions. Politicians and political groups do the same thing to earn more contributions and votes.

The end result? In the short term at least, they make more money, get more votes, and further divide the country, making us more anxious, less informed, and more divided.

This growing polarization is a threat to our daily well being. When we can't talk with each other or agree on basic facts, how can we hope to get along at the dinner table or as a democratic society to solve the pressing issues that affect us all?

The Mission of AllSides

This is the problem AllSides was created to address. We believe that a healthy democracy depends on the ability of its citizens to understand diverse perspectives and talk with each other. That's why we've developed tools to help you:

• See news from across the political spectrum, side by side.
• Understand the bias of your favorite news sources.
• Develop critical thinking skills to navigate today's complex media environment.

Our goal isn't to tell you what to think but to provide you with the resources to think critically, talk with each other, and make informed decisions. By presenting multiple viewpoints, we aim to break down the barriers that prevent constructive dialogue.

Real Impact on Real People

The impact of this approach has been profound. One user shared how AllSides helped her reconnect with her estranged father. They had stopped discussing politics years ago, but using our platform, they found common ground and restarted meaningful conversations. Another user told us that AllSides opened his eyes to biases he didn't realize he had, allowing him to engage more thoughtfully with others.

Stories like these reinforce why our mission is so important. It's not just about consuming news differently; it's about healing divisions and fostering understanding in our communities.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

As we head into another election cycle, the stakes have never been higher. Misinformation is rampant, trust in traditional media outlets is waning, and political divisions are deepening. 

Yet, I remain hopeful. People now understand this is a real problem. They are looking for real answers, real solutions. After years of nearly zero advertising as we have focused on technology and systems for delivering credible information and civil dialogue, AllSides has seen nearly unexplainable growth - as much as 79 million views in a month and extensive use in schools in all 50 states. 

Every day, more people use AllSides to bridge divides and foster understanding.

This is a critical moment for our democracy, and we need your help to expand our reach. We're launching a crowdfunding campaign to bring our tools and resources to millions more Americans. By investing in AllSides, you're not just supporting a platform—you're championing a movement toward a more informed and less divided society.

How You Can Make a Difference

• Visit our crowdfunding page at wefunder.com/allsides to learn more about investment opportunities.
• Share our mission with your friends, family, and social networks.
• Utilize and promote our free tools at AllSides.com.

Together, we can challenge the status quo of polarized media consumption. We can encourage open dialogue, critical thinking, and mutual understanding. It's not just about this election; it's about the future of our communities and our nation.

In these uncertain times, let's choose connection over division. Thank you for being part of the solution.