Bowling Alone

Putnam’s argument in Bowling Alone is representative of a common worry of the late 1900s and early 2000s, that of community decline. The prevalence of strong social ties between individuals began to steadily decline, as we turned away from the traditional “main street” communities and became more and more self-isolated. Sociologically, this community decline has been attributed to many factors and can be dated back to the rise of industrialization and the move to urban centers. I understand Putnam’s concerns, and it would indeed be worrisome to believe that we as a society are gradually disengaging from social connections and are moving toward a more self-defined world. And while the evidence he presents is strong support in his favor, I would argue that he is suffering from a lack of foresight.

That lack of foresight is into the power of the Internet, which he dismisses seemingly without hesitation in the commentary following his piece. The Internet creates entirely new forms of conencting and engaging with the society around us. It is true that fewer people join the PTA, and fewer people know their neighbors, but that is restricting civic engagement and social connectedness to a singular, distinctly outdated form. Now, instead, people join Facebook groups and forums, social media brings users together around major national events, and the Internet has created a safe meeting place where people of all ideas and backgrounds (who would otherwise never cross paths) can share in the national dialogue. Now these new forms of community each come with their own problematic facets and obstacles to maneuver, but human beings are still the same inherently social beings. Looking at what has happened with movements like Black Lives Matter or around major global events like the Paris Attacks, it is impossible to say that we as a people have stopped caring. I would love to see Putnam rewrite this article today, and read his thoughts on the civic potential of the Internet and social media.