So, I actually did the reading for class tomorrow. For tomorrow’s politics and public affairs, our professor included the first three chapters of “Bowling Alone”. I’ve been meaning to read it, and still haven’t read anything other than the first three chapters. But even in the midst of my end of semester slump it revitalized me. It’s a challenge. It says that we’re a dis-integrating society. That we are pulling out of our engagement in our community groups. And I want to pull us (well, some of us) back together. Obviously I can’t do anything on my own, and reknitting the social fabric is something that has to be done on a piecemeal basis rather than a single effort covering the entire country. But that’s something I’d very much like to be a part of.
Whether this is a book club, an outdoors group, or both of those and more, I still plan on participating. Whether I’ll drop my anti-social recreation to do this is a good question. But it’s a goal. And one that inspires me.
Hm
What’re MMORPGS in this picture? Anti-social or hypersocial?
I admit I haven’t read the book (never stopped me before), but I disagree with his argument. I don’t think we’re disintegrating. People are integrating still — look at how I met you — but it looks like we’re just dropping the antiquated versions of socialization for more evolved versions. Bowling leagues? Come on.
Maybe I’m just a little resentful. My job is putting people together. How dare he say I’m doing the opposite.
Re: Hm
I’d count them as anti-social. I’m going on face to face interaction here as the gold standard. MMORPG interaction tends to be fairly minimal even on a text to text basis. Livejournal I’d count as middling social. So I guess it’s about the depth and quality of interaction. Watching a movie together is probably marginally more social than MMORPG’ing.
Anyway, I think Putnam would claim that you and I are among those holding back the tide, or at least trying. And succeeding in limited, local ways.
Eh
He’s still antiquated, what with the bowling and the 1950s…
COME TO LOBBY DAY — stay for the crowd? =D