I'm Steve, or Steven. I am a technology person currently living in Montreal, Canada. I spend a lot of my time talking about data privacy, the effects of social media on kids and teens, and broadband inequality. I run a small creative firm that makes content for startups, and am a fellow at a US think tank where I work on tech policy in the US and Canada. I bounce around between vegan, vegetarian and jain diets, although I'm trying to remain fully vegan moving forward.

A few years ago I completed a 3-month, 20000+ KM motorcycle trek through Canada, the US midwest and gulf coast, and Mexico, often couchsurfing. I just completed another, similar trip this fall, from Montreal to the Yukon, then down the pacific coast, Baja California, and back here. It was epic in every sense of the word.

Friends would say I'm a shy-but-friendly, fun, socially conscious young(ish) introvert. I have a darker sense of humor and am not easily offended nor often politically correct. Life is short. Lighten up.

I've taught English and French as a volunteer. I'd like to improve my Spanish and learn German.

There are so many great things to see and do in the world. See and do as many as you can, and along the way, make it easier for others to do the same.

Thyself / y'all / youse.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've recently moved and completed a motorcycle trip across the continent and was treated regally by couchsurfing hosts. I've actually hosted a couple couchsurfers too but for some reason our references are not showing up. Head-scratch emoji. I love meeting new people, hearing new accents, learning new stories, sharing new food, discovering new music. I like new. And we are almost all new to one another. So let's meet, share, and be kind to one another. We have a lot to learn.

Interests

Our interests reflect what we enjoy doing in our spare time, and don't always necessarily need to reflect our core values or belief systems. You can be an environmentally conscious progressive in favor of stricter gun control laws, and still enjoy traveling by motorcycle and going to the shooting range. We've become too dogmatic and all that's accomplished is to alienate the very sisters and brothers we're trying to connect with. Allow for some mental and emotional flexibility and meet people where they are comfortable instead of trying to drag them kicking and screaming into your worldview. You'll have a better time.

• dogs
• writing
• photography
• human rights
• beer
• motorcycles
• politics
• technology
• video games
• board games
• traveling
• hip-hop music
• hiking
• camping
• urban exploration
• social justice
• winter
• climbing
• spicy food
• vegetarian cooking
• cuba
• open source
• helicopters
• quebec

Music, Movies, and Books

Very wide variety of taste here, most kinds of movies except for anything gratuitously violent.

Music is always playing in my house. Love discovering / sharing new music! My roommate is a pretty great musician and hosts concerts in the apartment once in a while.

I enjoy reading biographies of public figures or historical figures.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Being chased on my bicycle by a swarm of butterflies in Cuba. Hiking Mount Washington from dusk till dawn. Buying a big box of fresh figs for 2 euros in France (I love figs). Dipping my feet into the waters of the Gulf Coast after riding down on my cruiser from Canada. Climbing up the Dawson dome and taking in the Yukon's beauty.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: English, French, Tech stuff, privacy / cybersecurity, Linux, photography.

Learn: Spanish, psychology, mechanics, German, Helicopter piloting (who knows?), cooking.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I generally travel with my photo gear, so I can take some great photos with/of you and show you some cool tricks. Love cooking / learning cooking, or going out to eat / drink at awesome local restaurants. I very much enjoy learning about my hosts, their viewpoints, beliefs, stories, dreams, etc. I'm very tidy and make an effort to leave things the same or better than I found them. I believe that every connection we make is incredibly important in how we shape ourselves and the world around us during the short time that we have here.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Colombia, Cuba, France, Hungary, Mexico, United States

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