ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Talking Across Borders online conversation generated more than 150posts and several thousand comments in a private Facebook group from Aug. 8to Sept. 5. The project’s media partners included the Bay Area Newspaper Group, the Southern California Newspaper Group and Univision. It was designed and managed by Spaceship Media, an Alameda-based news venture that believes journalism and civil conversation can bridge political divides and decrease polarization. More than 60people from around the state took part in the conversation, and nearly all made it to the end, with a core group of about 25engaging in nearly daily discussions about topics ranging from legal immigration quotas to President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall. There were few rules, but memes, name-calling and abusive language were not allowed. Spaceship Media co-founders Eve Pearlman and Jeremy Hay, both veteran journalists, moderated the 24-7conversation. “People are so polarized these days and so eager to dismiss the person on the other side of the issue,” said TomBray, managing editor/news for the Southern California Newspaper Group. “I was impressed that most of the participants in this projectmade genuine attempts to try to understand why another participant felt the way they did. That didn’t mean that they swayed one another, but they tried their best to listen. And listening matters.”