Community

Robert Putnam and others have written much on how disconnected we modern Americans have become from our neighbors and colleagues, even from our friends and families. We join fewer social clubs, lodges, recreation leagues, and congregations than our grandparents did. We vote less. We volunteer less. We spend less time with our extended families. We know fewer of the people living right next to us, and we're not as close with the ones we know. 

This is in some ways a natural result of changes in our politics, economics, technology, and transportation. We live in an age of expanded opportunities for women, racial minorities, the disabled, low-income children, and others. No one is tethered for life to one town, one employer, one pre-set life path. We can live anywhere, marry any person, aspire to any career  we want. And it's easier than ever to travel home or stay in touch. Our loved ones, our news, our entertainment--it's all merely a click away. We don't need to rely on community. Everything's at our fingertips.

And that's all fine. That's progress. But I believe in the midst of that excitement and opportunity we're losing some of the social capital that forms our support structure and strengthens our common bonds.

I believe we can rebuild and restore that sense of community, without losing the great progress we've made as a society. I say keep your blog. Move across the country. Buy your gifts online. Stream your movies at home. But also take the time to shake hands across the fence. Volunteer to help those in need. Join a club of people who share your interests and share some laughs face-to-face. If you're a spiritual person, find a faith community and worship together. Put a little effort into learning about the lives being lived around you. You'll be better off, trust me. I know I am.