Ponderly

Unlike other social media apps where there is hardly any attention paid to the validity of peoples’ arguments, this app does a great job of presenting viewpoints that are based on evidence. There is a trade off when it comes to the concise nature of the articles. Stronger arguments can be made with longer articles BUT I don’t really use social media to read long articles anyway. Overall, the articles present digestible information that you can look into further if you are interested enough.

At first I wasn’t sure because who needs another social media app right? This is so much more than that. It’s simple to navigate. I would like to see more color themes in the actually app. I definitely like the way it presents opposing views on certain events and situations. What you find on a lot of other social media sites is you are basically being guided into what to think by what’s the next “viral post”. In Ponderly you’re presented with both sides of the situation so you can come to your own conclusion. The app is both relaxing and professional which is very rare to find in/on social media. I hope it continues to grow. I’m a fan.

I LOVE the concept. Polarization is a real problem and the media is failing us by being both biased and deceptive. The app fulfills its promise of being unbiased by providing an affirmative and negative perspective on each issue. It does a great job of presenting each issue as undecided so you can form your own opinions. However, it fails in three critical ways. In descending order of importance: 1. It does not explain the cheap tactics each side uses to straw man and denigrate the other. Knowing the messaging tactics of each side would go a long way to helping people resist the pull of agenda bearing media outlets. 2. It does not focus on the most controversial, divisive issues. Those should be front and center. 3. It does present the BEST form of each argument. It’s helpful to get an idea of why the perspective of one person who stands for one side of the issue, but unfortunately reading the opinions in the app feels like reading cheap arguments written by high school debaters. They cherry pick stats and anecdotes that support their points rather than getting to the heart of the issue. There is no way to see how each side would respond to the opinions of the other.