ABOUT THE PROJECT
We’re often confronted with binary choices: pro-vax or anti-vax. Pro-choice or pro-life. Woke or anti-woke.
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Choosing one or the other often leaves us with a partial view: vaccines shouldn't be taken always nor never, so the question isn't "pro-vax or anti-vax?" but "under what circumstances should vaccines be taken?" On abortion, most Americans don’t identify purely with pro-choice or pro-life, and instead favor abortion rights with limits. And on wokeness, the frame of oppressor and oppressed is mission-critical and historically overdue, but not always the most relevant frame with which to see a given situation.
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So, instead of choosing one side and getting a partial view, how might we integrate different perspectives and gain a bigger view? Faces of X is one humble answer to that question.
Faces of X a series of short videos that integrate different perspectives on complex social issues — like AI, free speech, and race. The series stars influencers who are known for independent thought — like game theory expert Liv Boeree in Faces of AI, and political commentator Destiny in Faces of Free Speech.
The format is simple: each video first presents the strongest arguments on each side — the thesis and the anti-thesis — and then attempts to integrate them into a synthesis perspective. Thesis, anti-thesis, and synthesis are all played by the same person. A good synthesis then becomes a new thesis in our evolving understanding of reality.
Faces of X a series of short videos that integrate different perspectives on complex social issues — like AI, free speech, and race. The series stars influencers who are known for independent thought — like game theory expert Liv Boeree in Faces of AI, and political commentator Destiny in Faces of Free Speech.
The format is simple: each video first presents the strongest arguments on each side — the thesis and the anti-thesis — and then attempts to integrate them into a synthesis perspective. Thesis, anti-thesis, and synthesis are all played by the same person. A good synthesis then becomes a new thesis in our evolving understanding of reality.
Faces of X launched in August of 2024, and the response has been incredible. Within 4 months of launch, the series received over 1.3 million impressions, 100K verified views, and was featured on various prominent platforms — like The Glenn Loury Show and Unspeakable with Meghan Daum. Since then, the Faces of X has been staged at TED and TEDAI, and been used in classrooms worldwide.
Amid today’s culture war, the potential pipeline of the series is endless. Synthesis Media intends to continue Faces of X — to expand hearts and minds at scale.
Amid today’s culture war, the potential pipeline of the series is endless. Synthesis Media intends to continue Faces of X — to expand hearts and minds at scale.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
The stars of Faces of X manage to hold seemingly-opposing views in a media environment that drives binary thinking. But the stars aren't neutral. No one is. They're also not paid actors, so their willingness to work on this project demonstrates their commitment to synthesis.
And, like anything, synthesis can be weaponized.
Some perspectives are inherently un-integrate-able. ‘Abortion never’ and ‘abortion always’ don't play well with other perspectives. Other perspectives are morally unwelcome. A meaningful synthesis on race isn't between anti-racism and racism, but between the anti-racism proposed by Ibram X. Kendi and the color-blindness proposed by Coleman Hughes. We must be discerning about which perspectives we’re integrating, and how we frame the sides of the debate.
And, like anything, synthesis can be weaponized.
Some perspectives are inherently un-integrate-able. ‘Abortion never’ and ‘abortion always’ don't play well with other perspectives. Other perspectives are morally unwelcome. A meaningful synthesis on race isn't between anti-racism and racism, but between the anti-racism proposed by Ibram X. Kendi and the color-blindness proposed by Coleman Hughes. We must be discerning about which perspectives we’re integrating, and how we frame the sides of the debate.
Ultimately, it’s unlikely that one side is entirely right. It’s also unlikely that all sides are equally right. It’s more likely that most of us are partially right, but some of us are more right than others. That doesn’t make for a great tagline, but it avoids the pitfalls of tribalism and both-sides-ism in pursuit of a more comprehensive view. Our view will always be partial, and we can always strive to see more faces of the diamond that is reality.
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It is said that the root cause of our interrelated crises is: our inability to see reality as a whole. It’s our inability to see that our department stores are stocked amazingly…due to sweatshop labor and polluted air, and that the values of choice and life…give each other meaning.
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Most of us are partially right, but some some of us are more right than others. |
We live in a media environment that divides us into warring tribes, and fragments reality into seemingly disconnected parts. Our media environment was itself developed by a fragmented consciousness that prioritizes short-term profit at the expense of other values. In its own small way, Faces of X seeks to cultivate our capacity to perceive the wholeness of reality.
Faces of X is brought to you by Synthesis Media — a non-profit production studio led by producer and storyteller, Stephanie Lepp. To support our work, join us on Substack or Patreon, or be in touch.
Faces of X is brought to you by Synthesis Media — a non-profit production studio led by producer and storyteller, Stephanie Lepp. To support our work, join us on Substack or Patreon, or be in touch.
LINKS
Find Faces of X and creator Stephanie Lepp on other platforms:
BIO
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Faces of X is brought to you by Synthesis Media — an independent production studio led by award-winning producer and storyteller, Stephanie Lepp.
Stephanie is the former Executive Director at the Institute for Cultural Evolution, a non-profit think tank that addresses political polarization at its cultural roots. Before that, she was the Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology, the organization at the heart of the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. Today, she leads Synthesis Media — a non-profit production studio devoted to expanding hearts and minds. |
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Stephanie’s work has been covered by outlets like NPR and MIT Technology Review, supported by institutions like Sundance and Mozilla, and exhibited throughout the United States and Europe. Her 2025 TED talk explores the power of integrating different perspectives.
Be in touch with Stephanie on X: @stephlepp.
Be in touch with Stephanie on X: @stephlepp.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Faces of X was developed with the generous support of individual donors and small family foundations, including: Mediators Foundation, the Mistler Family Foundation, Kevin Waldman, Lisa Sternlieb, and David and Lani Mariel Yadegar. Guidance on the project was graciously contributed by: Jay Hirschton, Jonah Sachs, Andy Mills, JD Heyman, Jeff Salzman, Carter Phipps, Greg Thomas, Stephen Hawkins, Greg Johnstone, and Justine Simons. The contents of Faces of X do not reflect the views or speak on behalf of the funders or contributors.
Faces of X by Synthesis Media is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
