Things fall apart

Without spaces that cultivate belonging and a shared sense of purpose, why do we expect anything other than high rates of loneliness, polarization, and attacks on our Capital building?

The changing dynamics of the American economy — from corporate consolidation to the decline of private unions — as well as dramatic changes in immigration policy, are noticeably missing from Putnam’s story.

the companies do little to encourage accountability, institution building, or integration with existing community structures

Americans used to live within “place-based networks” of clubs, churches, schools, commerce, and recreation that overlapped, wrapping individuals in social support. Local networks protected individuals from isolation and loneliness.

Those networks have largely disappeared, replaced by networks based outside the local community. We shop and interact ... See more

most social networks never prioritize place-based interactions, it seems that we’re left with little idea of what our cities are for but to serve us.

I realized that this was probably amongst the biggest challenges to helping US neighborhoods come together: most people don’t have good reasons to meet their neighbors.

this was probably amongst the biggest challenges to helping US neighborhoods come together: most people don’t have good reasons to meet their neighbors.

The painful reality is that the internet somehow makes it easier to find friends who live halfway across the world than to connect with the people who live down the street.