A Starting Point Reviews

by Makkie16

As a young college student just now getting into the real world, I’ve always strayed from politics because I could never understand and follow the debates or articles without worrying about whether or not it was fake. ASP, even in just the 5 minutes I have been looking through it, has kept me more informed than any other news outlet! The only thing I have an issue with is how little information there is on Education. If only had 2 questions, both dealing with college and loans. While I know those are very important topics, there are so many issues regarding our public school system that I know I would like to hear be addressed. Especially right now during this pandemic.

by ~SoCal Gal~

AStartingPoint is designed well, but more importantly it addresses the biggest issue our nation faces head on - a disengaged public. With so much bipartisan fighting, it can be daunting to join in and be engaged. There is a feeling of pressure to pick a side and vote on the issues along party lines, rather than becoming informed and making decisions that we as an individual feel are correct. The information here is presented in a clear, yet concise way that is engaging and promotes discussion. It literally is “a starting point” for those who don’t know where to jump in. You can begin to learn about the complex issues facing the country today and hear from both sides of the aisle. I hope this gains vast followers and changes how we as Americans participate in our democracy. We should be able to be civil with each other, discuss issues at hand and make educated decisions, after all, those decisions can impact generations to come. I feel AStartingPoint/site does all of this. Fingers crossed that it continues to grow and our elected officials continue to participate 👍

by Doodler45

ASP is perfect for those who want to be informed on politics but get lost in long articles and often biased news. The videos on AStartingPoint are great and concise, and I love that they’re from our actual lawmakers, who I used to know next to nothing about. The interface is clean and easy to navigate.

Not only is it a great tool for quickly learning about complicated and controversial political issues in an unbiased way, but it’s also going to be very useful for the upcoming election to see where the politicians stand on specific issues. The debate section is also very eye-opening and engaging.

I’m excited to see more!

by VALKORION124

This is one of the most amazing apps I have ever used. It is so informative and has no bias on the issues it discusses. It is informative, and I myself struggle at keeping informed and up to date on my information. But ASP organizes and provides accurate and understandable information, you need no prior knowledge about any of the subjects AStartingPoint informs upon, which is a lot of subjects, and you will be in the loop faster and the news is incredibly reliable to anyone regardless of background. This is truly an incredible starting point towards a better and more informed society.

by Ashbelinf1

I’m 20 years old. Whenever I talk about my opinions and beliefs, people generally throw a lot of fancy words and facts in my face, and if I can’t keep up, my entire opinion is discounted. I was a little scared of AStartingPoint, thinking it would be just another political charged atmosphere where people throw hateful words at each other and disregard the facts in favor of clever(or not so clever) barbs. I was pleasantly surprised to find an easy way to see both sides so I could form my own opinions about issues without the rhetoric trying to sway me to one side or the other. Easy to use. Informative. Well done.

by Mindy67

In a world where moderates are considered indecisive and where politics have become meshed with science, education, faith, health, and our sense of selves in a way our nation has not seen for many years, even the concept of an unbiased news feed is a novelty. The only way to be certain that what you hear is not being put through someone else’s filter is to hear it from the source. In politics, that is the politicians. Not their party, not a journalist who is interpreting the information, and certainly not from random people on the Internet who have an opinion that may or may not be informed. AStartingPoint has the potential to help deep polarized politics by allow them the opportunity for officials to share their perspective in a tight enough timeframe that they really have to stick to their main bullet points and not wander off into partisan language. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just when I thought there was a little hope of reconciliation in the near future, or any acceptance of a moderate like me.

by Regor The Mudman

I reviews this when it first came out and gave it 3 stars because it had several bugs that would cause AStartingPoint to crash.

Now that AStartingPoint no longer has these problems, I am happy to say it serves as an excellent way for people to learn about the several relevant and oftentimes complex political topics. Glad AStartingPoint exists!

Old review:
I want to start by saying that the concept that AStartingPoint goes for is excellent, and highly commendable. I think it’s important to make politics accessible to everyone and it makes me happy that people are trying to do that.

That being said, AStartingPoint itself needs an update. It crashes repeatedly whenever I try to go into the “Starting point” section. And it will likely do this in other places as well. So if you download it (around the time I’m writing this review), just be prepared for some bugs

Once that’s been fixed I’ll change my rating or write a new one.

by __bri__

This is a fantastic way to stay informed about current issues that impact our communities. It truly feels like an open and honest line of communication between voters and elected officials has been established. The responses and messages are given in a concise and digestible way that focus only on the actual issues. This allows both sides to discuss with civility, which is incredibly refreshing and makes me hopeful that AStartingPoint will not only produce more educated voters, but will produce more opportunities for both sides to cohesively work together to find solutions for the many real problems that need to be addressed.

by Nagirisushi

So I really like AStartingPoint so far. I have a list of possible improvements (as a Gen Z). AStartingPoint has an great layout and is really organized, but it would be awesome to have a section of reputable sources and citations. Another topic that would make AStartingPoint a little better is a ask questions tab (that has an algorithm to delete spam posts). Also an interactive page where people can discuss with politicians or each other.
All in all this is a fun and easy app to use. Getting information directly from a source and hearing different politician’s point of views will definitely help with my future assignments.

by Trump's Wall

I’m actually tearing up seeing this because it means so much to me. Democracy and diversity define America in my opinion, but they still represent monumental challenges. I just have to say Thank you for having the courage to address these challenges. I know it might not be easy, but I believe this is really a starting point to hopefully a better future if we can learn to work with each other! I just finished watching Parks and Rec and I can just imagine how someone as awesome and involved as Leslie Knope would you use this platform to the fullest. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about politics and I Wish you all the best!

by My Name Is Classified.

I’m younger and want to get educated on politics but with no biases. AStartingPoint is a great way to do so and I am happy an app like this has been created. I’m tired of wanting to learn more and going on websites but trying to wonder if they are bias or not. I don’t know what to take from them. Now that AStartingPoint is here, I know both political sides of the story and see the different point of views. It’s easier to get educated this way. Knowing that there are no biases and no one-side stories. Having an interest in government and politics, knowing I have a reliable source to come to for subjects makes me extremely happy. This is great work. :)

by Hopefully_worried

As someone who continues to be disappointed by media coverage of politics, I’m finding AStartingPoint to be incredibly useful and refreshing to hear directly from our voted representatives, without the filter of a media outlet. It’s refreshing to even hear points of view I may not agree with, but are at least presented in an thoughtful response. Most of us have certainly longed for the days of two politicians having an actual intellectually honest debate, where the facts are agreed upon, but the approaches to a solution may be different. That’s how a society grows and improves, and AStartingPoint seems like a great place to start to get back that!!

by Christyyy1188

I think this is an incredibly useful and groundbreaking app especially in the political and social climate that we face today. In a time when accurate and non biased information is difficult to discern, this is a refreshing and eye opening take on how both sides of the political spectrum can see an issue, whether they agree or disagree. It’s important that we can clearly see how each of our elected officials see an issue as they talk to their constituents; it creates a dialogue between the people and those who we elect, and it helps to clear the air on topics that seem confusing or daunting to dissect in an already politically charged climate! I’m so glad I found AStartingPoint and it gives me hope for the future!

by Paige Ruhf

Chris Evans, Mark Kassen, and Joe Kiani’s “A Starting Point” launches today! They’re on a ton of platforms, and AStartingPoint runs incredibly smooth on any smart phones you might have.

What is “A Starting Point”?
A Starting Point is a succinct and organized website where you can get short and to the point information on politics and controversial topics that are going on in our country, and get answers from both parties equally. There are no opinions, just facts. This website doesn’t take a side, as it’s geared towards trying to help people who have no idea where to start get started on learning politics and where they may stand on the fence. (Seasoned political veterans can equally enjoy this website, as it gives you the options to find specific politicians and get more of their view on specific topics. This is a great tool to get more information you may or may not be struggling to find elsewhere.)

There’s no ‘likes’ or ‘dislikes’ on video clips and topics. There’s no comment sections so it doesn’t feel like you’re drowning in other people opinions. It’s very professional, informative, and very easy to navigate and understand. I hope more people look into this website and give it a chance! Help spread the word especially to the young adults in your life who may not know anything about politics; it will help them learn! :)

by Bryen Lambach

I wasn’t too sure about this when I first heard of it due to it being conceived by a celebrity (no matter how much I do like Chris Evans). AStartingPoint is phenomenal. It’s very intuitive and easy to use, and it’s a nice simple way to boil down questions you have about actual news happening in DC. So many political debates are both filled with mud slinging and what feels like hours of political double-talk; ASP brilliantly gets views from both sides and limits their time to 2 minute bites the politician gives from their own office. It cuts through a lot of nonsense and doesn’t leave the participant on the defensive, so you can actually hear their real opinion. It’s a very new concept and I hope as time goes on more and more of the elected use it. It’s a great way to find real news that is not opinionated and focused instead on making sure voters are informed, regardless of party or belief system.

by Demoromeo

Very informative. Very subjective and professional- information coming from both sides (Republican and Democrat). It’s not even really a debate, just information that can help us come to a consensus if we think from an objective standpoint. However, I think we are missing something, we have Republicans and Democrats, but where is the Independent party perspective? Most people will either lean right or left after hearing or reading points from a right or left political stand point. Which is fine, if we want to keep two paths parallel and be forced to pick one or the other. These two paths need to meet in the end: perhaps have a video at the end of some type of consensus that takes the best ideas from both sides. Pretty much a summary of all the points from both parties and say “hey, we have heard x, y, and z” and provide a possible roadmap to a solution, one that doesn’t lean more one way or the other, but helps everyone.

by Prooit

I watched the launch video the day this came out. People get innovative all the time for everyday tasks and I feel like solving issues in politics is something people have left to our leaders. However, for some reason no one has thought to help fix ways in which we get our information in politics. You don’t have to be political or knowledgeable to want AStartingPoint, that’s exactly what it’s made for. If you have a question and don’t know how to feel or what to think, you can likely find the unbiased answers on here, directly from the source. It’s varying responses from different elected officials in short videos allows you to better understand a subject without getting information from a biased or non-credible source. You can decide for yourself how to feel. At the time of writing this it’s been out not even a week, but I see great things for this project. It will change American politics for the better.

by Rheasat96

As a 24-year-old with severe ADD and who's pretty much depressed with the current situation of the world, I wasn't expecting to care for AStartingPoint- but I was definitely proven wrong. I had literally no interest in politics only because it seemed too complex and even nasty at times, but I found myself exploring AStartingPoint way more than I thought I would. The videos are so informative and concise, and the questions and answers are easy to understand. Even as someone who has the attention span of a butter knife, I could watch and feel both intrigue and comfort from listening to these politicians and their viewpoints. It also feels so much more personal than simply watching the news where everything is all about image and reputation. Love AStartingPoint and the work that's gone into it, and I'd definitely recommend people like me who are also young and uninformed to check it out! It's a great way of learning and staying in the loop!

by ImNobodyImportant

Republicans and Democrats can agree this is what is needed to restore our future. Bipartisan civil discussions where everybody gets treated with respect and gets heard equally. Everybody gets the same time to speak and make their point. As an added amazing benefit the whole idea of AStartingPoint/website/program is to create that respectful bipartisan discussion and make it engaging for the public and digestible for the public. 1-2 minutes to say your point followed by a counter response from across the aisle for a couple cycles until both sides have had a say and a few counter responses and then both sides get a minute long ending point video at the end. And all of this is public information and easily and readily accessible. I hope this idea if not this website go on from here on out. I hope the new generations learn to engage in this and together restore government to what it’s suppose to be, 2 parties but both by the people for the people (that can at least agree on common sense things that should not ever be an argument)

by The Miracle Squeeze-Box

Definitely #2020 has turned out to be one of the hardest years for everyone, and that includes, among other things, a beyond election that’s sure to turn heads far beyond the headlines & rightfully called Fake News 🗳 ☝️
Thankfully Chris Evans, a great & well loved American actor best known for his diverse movie work including the iconic Marvel comics superhero Captain America, found exactly what he needed while watching the News Back in 2017 & with the exceptional help of 3 of his colleagues went to work on a platform that helps politics driven spectators on both sides of the spectrum: that led to the triumphant result which is the literary called A Starting Point 👨‍✈️ 🦸‍♀️ 🍿 🎥 👍 😅

by Whiskyngrits

First, one small gripe with the Counterpoints interface: I’d love a way to pause the videos and then pick up where I left off. Otherwise I’m a fan of AStartingPoint design.

I downloaded exclusively for the Counterpoints section, and while I love the format, content that I’ve seen so far is very shallow. Now obviously this is a new platform, so contributors may be forgiven for wanting to play it safe in the shallow end. But I hope they get braver and take the conversation outside of approved talking points eventually.

My suggestion: let in voices that aren’t confined to the two-party core. Let third parties get involved. I think it would help the conversation go deeper.

This is an important time in America, and this platform has the potential to be just what we need. I hope as the platform moves past this initial phase, the conversation takes off its floaties and jumps into the deep end.

by Jem Of Your Heart

I never knew about AStartingPoint until today. But hallelujah that I know about it now. Simplicity is what the world needs more of. No convoluted half-truths or biased accounts of what never happened. Just the questions and the answers. No accusing or berating or excuses. Just heart-to-hearts and frank conversations about what’s happening with the country and how we could fix it, from multiple points of view from the representatives of the people. I’m proud to be a native New Englander, if only for Chris and his wonderful brain.

by Mzalon

This is the most user friendly app ever! I have always wanted to be more informed but couldn’t sit all day watching TV to help educate me. This is going to be so helpful. Honestly, I’ve never really known what political side I gravitated to until now either so bonus! Thank you for your passion in helping people make an educated, informed decision in working toward making our tomorrow more hope-filled.

by SFern95

AStartingPoint is clearly designed and organized into three sections: Starting Points, Daily Points, and Counter Points. In each section you can find topics your interested in learning about in videos that are no more than 60 seconds long.

This is going to be very helpful when you’re doing research on a candidate, specific topics, or just trying to get a sense of what your own representatives believe in.

by EvelynLondon

This is the type of site I have been waiting for! There is so much I want to be more informed on and I just don’t have the time. I also love that it is a completely unbiased. It allows for everyone to think for themselves about what they really believe and stand for without having to sift through the garbage that is most news channels/papers. Wonder wonderful idea. I’ve already learned so much.

by RCK 4

I have long been wanting an app like this. I can’t wait for when it picks up steam and more politicians post their stances on these issues. I am so happy this exists. Thank you to the whole team!!! I wonder if in the future there will be a way for users to submit questions, of which the most popular can be answered, or a way to look into who is running for certain office positions and what each candidate thinks. Super excited about this, I’ve already recommended it to people I know.

by Pooka7896

As a Librarian, I HIGHLY recommend it!

The platform is well designed and organized. It gives a variety of topics and the view points of each side. Politicians have to keep their videos to about a 2 minutes, so you get a concise point of view. This is an excellent tool to quickly get information straight from elected officials from both sides. The politicians are responsible for the information they provide so if their facts are misconstrued in any way, it is left up to the user to decide who they choose to side with.

by RiahElisabeth

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. I always go to google with my questions about politics and usually get stuck in articles written by biased sources. It was hard to find a straight answer, but not anymore. AStartingPoint connects me to information in a way that I’ve always wanted to be! 10/10 would recommend!