This is Couchsurfing's motto, an organization based in SF whose website facilitates informal free lodging, in a sort of networked house-swap, plus other ways to connect. Members can sign up to browse available couches in their destination city, host visitors, and even join community activities with no travel required.
Before doing the research, I was surprised by their motto, because my only experience with CouchSurfing (CS) was via my younger brother, who found a pull-out couch in a co-op pad dubbed 'Rancho Relaxo' when he and his girlfriend first moved to Austin, TX. He made some friends, played some music, and even returned to visit the Rancho after landing their own Austin apartment. During SXSW, they have hosted backyard concerts. Great guys, but I couldn't immediately connect his stories with the greater good.
It seems my understanding of his experience only skims the surface of CS’s goal: to create inspiring experiences that help members explore the world and connect with one another, stemming from a belief that true social change starts with the individual, and that lasting education happens through personal experience. Impromptu lodging with strangers pushes both parties outside of their normal social interactions, and facilitates cross-culture exchange and a breakdown of prejudices, large and small. I can see how Rancho Relaxo lends no space to prejudice or judgement.
CouchSurfing is also naturally self-selecting. A certain personality is required to even want this kind of intimate at-home interaction, and guest and host have chosen this experience because they enjoy social exchange with new people, and are likely looking for some adventure. CouchSurfing.org explains that 'they are committed to helping the world become more understanding, more connected, and more generous across all borders, be they physical or psychological.' Generous, indeed: my initial reaction to CS has always been 'well, I'd be interested in crashing--but I wouldn't want to host.' How selfish--and missing the point, in that by hosting is that you not only give back to the communal pot, but that you benefit by meeting travelers who just might offer you some enlightenment in your own (literal) backyard.
In August of 2011, CS received 7.6M in venture funding, which immediately prompted skeptics to ask if the organization would 'sell out.' This article addresses the fact that in its five years of growth, the organization has already inherently changed in its demographic and community base, and that this funding would allow the organization to address some long-standing issues and improve its services and processes.
The article also addresses one of my biggest questions: crime. It seems that crime is very occasional, considering the number of surfers and hosts (over 23,000 surfers just last week!) but the site still doesn't have good reporting and response systems for reporting crime. Hopefully some of the 7.6M can address this and other concerns--like so many groups that started as a grassroots volunteer network, they are at the point of needing some serious infrastructure (and transparency). Will CouchSurfing be able to grow and keep its majority as adventure-seeking travelers, and not a crash pad for freeloaders and petty thiefs?
I choose to see the potential good in the tens of thousands of interactions going on each week thanks to CS, and the ability for it to grow as a socially responsible business (CouchSurfing is also a certified B Corporation). Besides, isn't it refreshing to see this level of trust in an online to personal exchange, whether or not you choose to participate? Surf's up.
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