About us
Framechange is a nonpartisan publication that brings you viewpoints from multiple sides of today’s issues. We help you develop an informed, independent perspective and understand the viewpoints of others.
Join us by signing up for free. Or learn more about our mission and approach below.Already a subscriber? Let us know what stands out to you so far and any future changes you’d like to see.
Why we do it
Our mission is to promote a stronger democracy by reducing polarization. We believe understanding multiple perspectives is the most efficient way to stay informed while developing empathy for those you may not agree with.
It’s easy to tune out opposing voices. Often it can be out of fear. It may also be driven by an assumption that people who disagree with us have malicious intentions or are misinformed. Often neither are the case – people with different views have their own stories and their own sincere intentions.
We hope Framechange helps you broaden your knowledge, engage in more nuanced conversations, and evolve your thinking along the way.
How we do it
Each week, we send you a newsletter summarizing viewpoints from multiple sides of a current issue. We deeply research each topic with consideration of existing perspectives expressed by everyday citizens, politicians, academics, industry leaders, and other experts from across the spectrum.
We write each viewpoint from the perspective of the individual(s) expressing it, taking on their hypothetical voice and summarizing where possible for digestibility. The viewpoints written are not those of Framechange.
We don’t rank or rate the viewpoints, nor claim any one viewpoint is factually bulletproof. We surface those that help paint a broad picture of the arguments and supporting points that are out there. And we always link to our sources.
How we decide what viewpoints to include: We aim to surface viewpoints that are commonly held, frequently cited, or represent a noteworthy minority perspective. The primary goal is to give you a highly informed sense of the topic. We don't aim to include every viewpoint that exists.
We’ll also frequently include supporting data cited by individuals with certain viewpoints. We don’t claim validity or accuracy of all linked data, but we do our best to filter for information that has some level of acceptance or support from multiple groups or experts. We do filter out hate speech, conspiracy theories, and apparent disinformation.
We aim for balance: That means representing multiple sides of an issue in as equal weight and depth as possible. You won’t see frequent use of the terms “left” vs. “right” on Framechange. We find it more informative to use specifics like “for” or “against,” given the high variability of perspectives within and across the political spectrum.
You won’t always agree: That’s the point! We expect you to see viewpoints and support that you don’t agree with. We’re hoping this ultimately excites you.
We won’t always get things right: We may omit a viewpoint that you think we should have included or mischaracterize an argument. Let us know anywhere you think we missed the mark. We’ll always be transparent with corrections.
Format of each edition
Our current weekly edition has 6 sections:
Snippets: Quick-hit headlines from the past week.
What's happening: Brief background and context on the featured topic.
Notable viewpoints: The meat of the edition. "Summary viewpoints" are bolded and slotted under broader sections categorizing their position on the topic (e.g., “For…” or “Against…”). Each summary viewpoint has bullet points underneath it representing more specific viewpoints and support (e.g., statements, data, quotes) that align to it.
From the source: Links to primary sources and other relevant data.
Be heard: A call to action to share your own viewpoint with us and the community.
Music on the bottom: A fun song recommendation to tie things off. Let us know what you can’t get out of your head and we may feature it.
Team
Eric Thompson, Founder
I'm Eric Thompson. I started Framechange as a way to address the polarization and oversimplified thinking I was experiencing in interactions with friends, family, colleagues, strangers, and the media.
I love connecting people with information, particularly information that surprises them or helps them evolve their thinking. Before Framechange, I co-founded 6Pages, a market intelligence platform used by thousands of investors, business leaders, and students. I also spent a decade in management consulting and research, running several publications focused on tech and business trends.
I’m using my research rigor and passion for informing to make Framechange the best product possible for you. My sole focus is to bring you a fair, balanced, and digestible summary of multiple perspectives in one place. I’m far more interested in bringing you information that will help you shape your own thinking than I am in touting my own viewpoints (which evolve frequently).
Krysia Sikora, Research Advisor
I’m Krysia Sikora and I joined Framechange because I believe the best way to reduce polarization is by fostering empathy for different perspectives. Starting in 2016 I witnessed several of my closest friends and family members targeted by influence campaigns and conspiracies, which reinforced echo chambers to divide society. Since then, I have dedicated my career to creating a healthier information environment to counter polarization.
In addition to Framechange, I’m a researcher for the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a DC-based think tank that analyzes foreign influence operations and creates policy to counter them. Prior to that, I received my master's degree in Eurasian, Russian, and East European studies from Georgetown University where I centered my research on disinformation and democratic decline. Fun fact, I also played professional soccer in Poland for two years!