Not too long ago, we talked about how we were “bowling alone”. We were moving towards a disconnected future: disconnected family, disconnected friends, disconnected past times, and ultimately – disconnected democracy.
Tools have emerged that empower us to reconnect (The Nation), just when stakes have become highest in a generation. And we are using them! This isn’t as sudden as some might suggest, and it’s been happening under the radar of one too many pundits. Myself included. I got a feeling politics will be redefined as much as the music and publishing industries have been.
Despite the outcome of the election – I think it’s an exciting time.
First let me say that this is a great blog. I’m so happy I found it.
Great article reference. I don’t think enough has been said about the loss of community this country is facing and its implications. That being said, the virtual community is not a real community. It’s an aspect of community and a place where ideas and conversations can be had, but it is so much more limited than an actual physical community. One of things that Dr. Putnam addreeses in his book is the fact that while young people are volunteering more than they ever have, yet they are still disengaged — why is that? I submit it is the same reason the Deaniacs let their candidate slip away in the primaries — you must have substance to your volunteering and you must have connections to your virtual community.
Great blog. Keep it up!
Thanks Marty 🙂 Moving relationships from the virtual to in-the-flesh is quite a transition. It creates a situation where you start to form *real* ties and commitments. I think that how Meetup.com facilitates this is what makes it so novel.