Our Approach

Tango is an innovative tool designed to foster collaboration, mutual respect, and connectedness among individuals with differing beliefs and values.

Challenge

Social trust is eroding globally, threatening the foundation of democratic systems. There is an urgent need to rebuild trust and connections in communities. While dialogue is necessary, it’s often insufficient. Our challenge is to find a comprehensive, scalable solution to restore trust and collaboration in society.  

Vision

Tango works to achieve a more cohesive society where social, cultural, and political differences are pathways to cooperation, rather than insurmountable barriers. The tool brings people with differing viewpoints together as partners to build trust. Our strategy is backed by rigorous experimental research.

It takes you to tango

Tango is a tool for many different types of organizations.

For higher education, Tango can be seamlessly integrated into student orientation, classrooms, student organizations, and other campus initiatives. It can foster collaboration and mutual understanding among students, helping them learn to respect differing viewpoints and work together despite disagreements. 

For companies, Tango can build team cohesion and create a united, more respectful work environment. 

For bridgers, Tango can serve as a powerful tool to combat social and political polarization. 

FAQs

  • When the topic is “division” many people’s first thought is “dialogue.” Dialogue is important, but productive dialogue requires a basic level of respect that has been eroded across the US, and the world. Many people feel that it is not only unpleasant, but immoral, to have a dialogue with someone who disagrees with them about immigration, abortion, or violent conflicts abroad.

    Tango operates on a more basic level, generating the respect, curiosity, and openness that makes real and sustained dialogue possible.

  • Our cooperative quiz game harnesses the fundamental principle of mutually beneficial cooperation that sustains all living systems. When people work together towards a common goal, a psychological shift occurs - teammates develop respect and goodwill towards each other despite disagreements.

    The game first establishes a positive team dynamic through less controversial questions, allowing partners to build rapport. As controversial topics are introduced, the cooperative mindset persists - the goal is to win together by accepting facts, not reconciling values. Accepting uncomfortable facts from both sides fosters mutual respect when both benefit as a result.

    The fact-based nature is critical; by focusing on shared realities rather than clashing ideologies, the game cultivates an environment of cooperation and mutual understanding.

  • The quiz isn't meant to sway opinions on controversial topics or suggest the truth must be in the middle. Instead, it aims to demonstrate that truth isn't monopolized by any side and that valid points can arise from all perspectives. It’s designed to show people, through experience, that people can disagree and still be respectful.

  • We source Tango questions from the most reliable available sources. These include scholarly articles, non-partisan polling data, government statistics, non-profit research reports, and reputable journalism. We follow the standards and best practices of academic researchers.

  • Contact the Tango team at sravi@fas.harvard.edu. Please provide any relevant documentation concerning the apparent error. We will investigate further and let you know if we update the game content.