We are currently either executing or planning, as indicated, the following initial programs.

For ease of reference we assign descriptive names to each.

Program 1 — “LISTEN”: Develop a rapid, scalable method of understanding why people with opposing viewpoints think the way they do on any controversial topic. Ultimately, partner this with an interface that enables the public to more easily understand opponents.

  • Status: Launched May, 2021, now active. See updates here.
  • Results: The system has been deployed successfully four times and is on standby pending resources necessary for its next iteration.
  • Illustrative application: We explored why people do or do not trust COVID vaccines and unearthed several surprising findings.
  • Future: The tool can be applied against any controversial issue to understand the rationales behind opposing viewpoints. But its true potential will be realized when those results are presented in a user-friendly public portal, enabling citizens to quickly answer the question, “Why do those other people, over there, think that?” on any controversial topic. We have a vision for that application, which is the next step for Project LISTEN.

Program 2 — “INFLUENCE”: Develop a method of influencing public attitudes toward collaboration with opposing viewpoints.

  • Status: Launched April, 2022, currently in early phases. See updates here.
  • Results: Building on the tools of Project LISTEN, successfully refined the polling system needed to measure attitudes before and after our messaging campaign. Now recruiting resources necessary for deploying the messaging piece.
  • Illustrative application: Target a specific political district with messaging aimed at encouraging voters to value in their candidates the ability to “accomplish-things-across-the-aisle.”
  • Future: If we can achieve measurable results with this system, applications are widespread. At the moment we just need to assess if it is possible.

Program 3 — “collaboRATING”: Launch a system for rating elected representatives on the spectrum of demonstrated behavior at collaborating across parties to get things done.

  • Status: Anticipate beginning development late 2022

Program 4 — “LINKAGE”: Sponsor university research attempting to document if a linkage exists between (a) improved attitudes toward collaboration and (b) improved outcomes on joint tasks.

  • Status: Anticipate beginning development in 2023

Media programs: We have several concepts around media initiatives aimed at scalably exposing broad audiences to others’ perspectives, to improve awareness around issues of open-mindedness, tolerance and collaboration.

Status: All media programs are in early phases of consideration.

e.pluribus.US conceives of, builds and tests interventions to scalably improve public attitudes toward working with political opponents.

Track the Movement

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Project LISTEN is opening minds!

LISTEN scalably helps us understand why opponents think as they do.
Learn more >

Project INFLUENCE near launch.

INFLUENCE works to
enhance support for cooperation.
Learn more >

Thoughts from across the aisle...

“A family from Mexico who arrived here this morning, legally, has as much right to the American dream as the direct descendants of the founding fathers. … when the blood of the sons of immigrants and the grandsons of slaves fell on foreign fields, it was American blood. In it you could not read the ethnic particulars of the soldier who died next to you. He was an American. And when I think of how we learned this lesson, I wonder [how] we could have unlearned it.”

— Bob Dole, 11-year Senate Majority Leader (R-KS), WW2 purple heart veteran

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