Jamie | Day 17: Redefining Community

One gets a good look at one’s country from this perspective, and one learns to see one’s nation with double eyes, to feel what we have got and what we have not got. I’ve learned more about America in one month in Paris than I could in one year in New York. Looking at this country makes all the unimportant phases of the American problem fade somewhat and render the true problem more vivid.  -Richard Wright

Our community event was last night and it was a very rewarding, moving experience.  It made me think a lot about community and the differences between community here in Paris and back at home.  The idea is the same and yet the practice is so different.  Taking time to spend quality time with others has been an overarching theme during my time here, and I see how that is truly the foundation for real community-building and sustenance.  Otherwise it’s forced. What we tend to call “community” in the Bay Area, particularly in tech, sadly isn’t truly community at all. It’s become a catchphrase, a euphemism for “users” or a network.  But community in the truest sense isn’t that at all – it’s the bonding and binding that takes place when meaningful interaction and sharing occurs. It’s what I found in Paris and what I realize has been lacking in San Francisco.

Who did you meet?

I met the Airbnb Paris team, a bunch of new people at Mutinerie and some people who work for the national government on open data.  Also, walking home from work with Antonin, we ran into Robin Chase riding a velib along the canal.

What interaction stood out most and why?

I did a fireside chat at the Airbnb Paris office.  I was so moved by the team, their enthusiasm and how the culture is so much like HQ.

What was the biggest challenge?

Finding time for everything we wanted to do.

What new ideas did you have?

Thinking about the community we’ve built here, and the personal and professional relationships I developed without ever expecting to really made me realize that we truly do have our counterparts in all parts of the world.  I am particularly impressed by how strong the cultural alliances are in many ways between Northern California and France.

What did you discover about yourself?

I didn’t realize how much I would be building a community and life here.  

What’s something new you learned about the Vayable business/community?

There’s really a shift in industry that’s occurring right now and it crosses political, geographical and social boundaries.  It’s truly a swelling movement that’s merging the public and private sectors like never before. I’m very excited that we’re a part of this.