A new social experiment in San Francisco is using pay phones to link locals with Texans, in the hopes of fostering direct conversations across the blue state-red state divide.

The big picture: The setup, featuring a "Call a Republican" sign, is run by the biotech startup Matter Neuroscience, and encourages friendly conversation rather than polarized debate, while demonstrating that people separated by geography and politics can still find common ground.

• It also seeks to help people understand the "molecular background to happiness and in particular the impact of vitriol versus the value of finding common ground," company spokesperson Beth Stone told Axios.

State of play: Dubbed "The Party Line," users have reported chats ranging from vast topics like jobs, Cybertrucks and daily life to reflections on identity and political labels, often without hostility.

How it works: The San Francisco phone is placed outside Black Serum Tattoo on Valencia Street, with its Texan counterpart sitting next to a bookstore in Abilene.

• Anyone who picks up the bright red pay phone can participate. When someone picks one up, it automatically rings the other. Callers are not given prompts or topics. Conversations are unmoderated, though may be recorded to track the progress of the experiment.

What they're saying: "Our findings from the initiative so far are that people are open and thoughtful when given the opportunity to find connection over animosity," Stone said.

Between the lines: One conversation recorded by the San Francisco Chronicle involved an employee from Studio Aurora on Valencia Street and a correctional officer in Abilene, who shared insights about his work and a date he was on that day.

• "It's been really encouraging to see how quickly people connect over a shared interest or experience and how deep some of the conversations go in just a few minutes," Stone said.

My thought bubble: I attempted to participate in the project and called the phone several times to no avail!

• Perhaps folks in Abilene were too busy with their day to participate. Alas, I shall keep trying.

The bottom line: While it's not a fix for our nation's current political fissures in an era of online polarization, this low-tech project bets on direct phone calls to spark empathy and understanding between people with different political backgrounds.

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With tens of thousands of people expected to arrive in the Bay Area for the Super Bowl next week, it's time to map out which streets to avoid.

Why it matters: No one likes getting stuck in traffic, especially when we already lose way too much time to it.

State of play: Several venues in San Francisco are hosting NFL-sponsored events in the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.

Expected road closures:

🏢 Moscone Center/Yerba Buena: Howard Street from 3rd Street to 4th Street (Jan. 30-Feb. 10).

• Minna Street from 4th Street to the InterContinental valet (Jan. 31-Feb. 10).
• 4th Street from Market Street to Folsom Street (Jan. 31-Feb. 10).
• Mission Street from 5th Street to 3rd Street (Feb. 1-9).
• Jessie Street from Mission Street to 4th Street (Feb. 1-9).
• Minna Street from 3rd Street to New Montgomery Street (Feb. 5-9).

⛪️ Grace Cathedral: Taylor Street from Sacramento Street to California Street (Feb. 5-7).

• Cushman Street from Sacramento Street to California Street (Feb. 6-7).

What to expect: Highway 101 and Interstate 280 will likely see traffic disruptions throughout the week with people driving between San Francisco and Santa Clara for Super Bowl activities.

Other impacted locations

⚖️ YIMBY Law, a pro-housing group, plans to sue the city next month over its new family zoning plan, arguing it doesn't allow enough housing to meet state requirements. (SF Standard)

🎊 Eileen Gu, an Olympic gold medalist and San Francisco native, will serve as grand marshal of this year's Chinese New Year Parade on March 7. (SF Chronicle)

🫡 Autodesk, the SF-based maker of design and engineering software, is laying off 1,000 employees. (SFGATE)

🏛️ State Sen. Scott Wiener, who is running for Rep. Nancy Pelosi's seat, will step down as co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus after referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide." (SF Standard)

🎶 K-pop boy band BTS added a third show (May 19) to the Bay Area leg of its world tour. (KRON4)

Vacations this year are less about unplugging and more about leveling up.

Why it matters: Vacations are being redefined as investments in personal growth — a shift that's reshaping how people use PTO and how the travel industry sells time away.

By the numbers: 72% of people say they want time off work to explore a personal passion, skill or hobby, per Hilton's 2026 trends report.

How it works: Travelers opting into so-called "skillcations" use PTO for trips to embark on experiences ranging from yoga retreats and gourmet cooking to mastering mahjong. The idea is to leave refreshed and enlightened.

Yes, but: Such excursions can cost more than your standard beach getaway — the average is about $7,000.

The bottom line: This year's best vacationers might return with skills that outlast their tan.

Tell a traveler

🕶️ Shoutout to the team at Tacolicious for hosting a Bad Bunny look-alike contest in the Mission ahead of the Puerto Rican superstar's much-anticipated Super Bowl performance next week.

🎶 Si te quieres divertir... get there by 5pm in your best Benito-inspired look for a chance to win $100, a Tacolicious giftcard and immortal local fame.

• Stick around after the contest for a reggaetón dance party, a Lotería game and all the El Conejo Malo-themed food and drinks your heart desires.

💃🏽 Vamos a perrear, pa' la raza y la cultura (y tráete a tu amiga si te gusta la idea).

👉 If you go: 5-8pm on Feb. 5 at 741 Valencia Street.