At the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Laguna Beach, California, on October 17, 2017, billionaire investor Bill Ackman floated one of the most dangerous ideas we’ve ever heard. He proposed an unexpected approach to increase population replacement rates. He suggested that individuals take the initiative to approach strangers in subway stations, promoting social interactions that could lead to more relationships and ultimately more families.
Ackman’s recommendation did not come out of his personal concern for the happiness of the next generation. He emphasized the pressing need for society to address declining birth rates and the implications this has for future generations. His advice has since gone viral, with thousands of people trying out his subway method.
The Four-Word Solution
To facilitate these encounters, Ackman proposed a simple yet impactful four-word phrase: “May I meet you?” This simple catchphrase, he contends, acts as a great little ice breaker that raises the ability to reduce the first barrier to entering potentially awkward conversations with new people.
He thinks this focus works for heterosexual and same-sex relationships alike. It lets us revisit and recreate ancestors’ journeys and acts as a go-anywhere, complex emotion-capturing device.
“I think the combination of proper grammar and politeness was the key to its effectiveness,” – Bill Ackman
Ackman argues that civility increases the power of this tactic. This is indicative of a larger trend of honest, open communication. Mutual respect goes a long way.
Personal Experiences and Broader Implications
Reflecting back on his adolescent life, Ackman shared that he had a favorite pickup line. He knew that years at the helm of such a project had changed his life for the better. His own personal experience brings a deeper level of authenticity to his sound advice. He emphasizes what works in social interactions, based on his own successful experiences.
The approach works best when you have everyone on the go. Interacting with others in bustling spaces, such as subway stations, creates an even more organic environment for discussion.
“Works much more effectively when you are moving,” – Bill Ackman
His comments on mobility and interaction resonate with those who understand the challenges of initiating conversations in today’s fast-paced world.
Controversial Background and Public Reactions
As important as Ackman’s perspectives on social capital are, his past actions have sometimes stoked controversy. He’s been steadfastly enthusiastic about the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza. His position has welcomed discussion and rebuke among almost all sectors.
His short subway advice stubs from social media are going viral on the internet. As a result, many more users are taking to social media to express their discontent and outrage at his proposal. This response expressed a combination of interest and disbelief about the feasibility of doing this kind of work to strangers in those sorts of environments.
As this civic dialogue continues, we hope that Ackman’s unconventional play will ignite a new boom in social capital-building. Such interaction between young people and elders would improve population outmigration trends, to positive effect.