I got nothing. No social network, no friends nearby, I’m a loner. I’m realizing that needs to change. I’m in the process of moving (to save money) and I’m going to lay out a plan to build some networks. I’m autistic and have trouble communicating, but I have to try. Being alone is too hard. Thanks for this.
I am an avid disc golfer and I travel for work, I don’t know if you’re into something like that, but, disc golf has provided me a community to step into in every town where I’ve been sent to work. There’s usually a pick-up doubles event every week at every course in America. You get randomly paired with another golfer, throw $5-10 into a pot and go play a round with this random partner and two other people also randomly put together. It’s a very laid back community, a sport with a hippie background, so there’s no pressure to compete or be good. I highly recommend disc golf.
We had two 50 lb boxes of skittles delivered to our house early yesterday morning, different name, wrong address. My husband called the company that sent them & found out they were meant for a roller derby event a town over the next day. His back is out & he was worried that he couldn’t get them to the arena. I got up, heard the story, remembered the first name of the lovely young woman I’d met at our awesome block party a few weeks ago, that she played roller derby, and their house. Tah dah, problem solved. Yay for getting to know your neighbors! Highly recommend block parties, so fun, & also so useful.
@@gceElwoodlol, I’m a big fan of social media, but face to face events are SO important, and also so fun! I’m an extrovert mostly & was still rly shy about going to our block party. Almost didn’t. But it. was. Awesome. Hopefully your block has a good organizer, it takes a bit of work, but the city was all in once we had the signatures. Had a fire truck for kids, good safety talk as well. We actually had a tree planting event many yrs ago, supported by the city, and our (very long and city-adjacent) block is now pretty well leafy green and lovely vs just a few trees before. SO much can be done with a little effort and a few super outgoing people. ❤️
@@lcflngn I remember a group of women planted trees on every lawn in town. Fast fwd 8 years and the power company cut the tops off all the trees because they were planted under the power lines. 😮
Excellent interview with some very interesting ideas discussed. Thanks for not interrupting your guest but just letting him talk so that his ideas could be properly explained.
And, I think Dr.Bandy Lee is another "voice of reason" in this "wilderness" of chaos and divisiveness. I am a retired Registered Nurse with ER experience and Labor and Delivery for 45 years. Much of my work was in County hospitals. Despite our differences, hurricanes and other disasters drew everyone together for a common cause. Now we are all recovering from the trauma of seeing mass graves & fear of an "invisible enemy". Add a malignant narcissist who has spread his mental pathology to a herd of susceptible citizens.
I agree, it’s eye opening on a large scale analysis. So fascinating and I already want to help our small community to have more gatherings face to face.
He is pumped up by causing misery and fear among people who live in his own state. Imagine how happy he will be if and when Trump becomes President and dies during his term, leaving Vance to run the show and do to America what he's doing to Ohio.
That is such a good way of putting it. I cldnt stop thinking abt Tim Walz and how he and Mr: Putnam both express themselves similarly. Never underestimate a teacher! :)
Thanks for bringing this amazing intellect and analyst to your show. I have enjoyed this enormously, taken to a better place where connection, kindness, neighbourhoods and conversations are properly valued. I am an unapologetic talker- happy to make conversation with the person at the supermarket, the passer-by, whoever. Conversation is free and can brighten someone's day but I do it because I like people. I'm not a pest just someone who will either reply or initiate a short casual conversation any time. I also work with people who are homeless who have never had social capital and our work includes the development of connection, trust, identity and safety. It's very affirming to hear this discussion.
Those are rather the results than the starting points of what Bob is talking about. When you invest in togetherness (social capital), equity, equality and less racism and prejudice will follow.
@@gceElwood That's like putting a band aid on a cut when the guy has a gun shot wound. Your not really addressing the biggest problem. These crazy people were here before social media and they will be here long after. They will find a way to communicate and spread their hate. I don't pretend to have the answer, but getting rid of social media ain't it.
Jon, you and the Pod Save America team have inspired me to run for office in my local area. Thank you for encouraging people to take action and make a difference!
I just love his unusual use of the English word 'reciprocity, because where I live in France, one uses this word often, without being at all pompous and it means, that Life is a two-way street and no-one gets to claiim the higher moral ground.
Great interview! I am 80 and I agree with your guest. My grandson is almost 11. He watched the debate and had excellent question. The youth will change this world and usher in tolerance and peace. Thanks again for what you do! ❤❤
The problem with "put your differences aside" rhetoric is when the difference is that the other person doesn't see you as fully human or believe you should have rights based on your race/gender/sexuality, or whatever it may be, it becomes exponentially more difficult or even dangerous to try to reach across the aisle. I think Contrapoints made some excellent points around this in her video about the Witch Trials of JK Rowling.
He magically skipped all the important issues of that supposedly golden era he was talking about, the homophobia, the racism, the sexism... Those people in that time got along "fine" because the only voice heard was a cishet white man voice. I dont think """""crime""""" started because they move to the city, but because opressed people started fighting for their rights again. Many, many red flags in this interview.
I can't thank you enough for this interview. I rate videos by how much they cause me to think and how much valuable information gets added to that process. I will listen more than once! When we are exposed to new perspectives, we grow. Many thanks!
As to the face-to-face effect the professor refers to. I have been to Franklin BBQ in Austin twice in my life. If you've never been, this involves standing in line with total strangers for 2-3 hours. In both cases, once in 2015 (pre Trump) and the other in 2022 (post Covid) the experience was identically wonderful. My son and I conversed with some guys from Philadelphia about hockey, football and soccer the first time, and the second time my wife and I had a lovely talk with a couple from Boston over kids, jobs, family and travel. In neither case did politics come up for an instant. We haven't lost our ability to communicate and get along, we're just out of practice. Great interview. Thanks.
You missed the point , his most important message is less social equality more alienation. You were standing in lin3 with those who can afford to stand in line. Do you eve n know there are people that can’t afford to stand in line. What you should be doing is helping everyone to be able to have the same experience as you. If people had a living wage, they too could stand in line. If people were not buried under huge medical debt perhaps they would be able to stand in line. Instead of being so self congratulatory actually think what YOU need to do to enable your fellow citizens to live their best lives. I don’t think you understood at all.
@@dianeshelton9592 “Self-congratulatory” is a little harsh, Diane; how be YOU find something positive about the pleasant interactions of strangers chatting while waiting in line? If you REALLY want to criticize someone, with just cause, may I recommend the likes of Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Kevin McCarthy and their ilk who sold their souls to the devil in the pursuit of personal power? They KNEW what they were doing and they did it anyway, betraying their constituents, their country and themselves; THEY are worth opposing!
@@dianeshelton9592this comment was a masterclass in how to alienate people. Castigating people for spending their free time on things they enjoy is a weird form of misery trolling. If OP wants to spend 2-3 hours of his vacation in line at a tourist restaurant, then people who also do that ARE his community. ETC: by community, I was referring to real life interactions and finding commonality beyond the steep cultural divides that seem to define our current society.
Wow I enjoyed the conversation. I recently moved to a small town in SW Nova Scotia. We could do with a major inheritance, but the social capital is out of the park. So it’s a happy place! Thanks for great guests and amazing conversations!
I also loved reading his books in my freshman polysci class. Remembered we read Bowling Alone alongside Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Which was a very average person focused point of view on the culture driving events and major upheavals in the US. My professor at BU also had Zinn (an emeritus) back in 2001 to pop in and guest lecture. We discussed how a bunch of people can drive greatness or drive destruction. This was on the heels of 9/11 happening that fall btw....so relevant. People powered the civil rights movements but also drove distructive fascist/othering movements. The interplay of social capital for good and bad was heavily discussed and all our term papers were based on our take-aways. IMO there is a social capital "stew" and if it's a you-help-me-I-help-you then the stew is good. Example would be mutual beneficial community-based groupings that bring people of different backgrounds together like card games/DnD or bbq parties. If the stew is a "social circle jerk" and too tribal (less individual background differences) me-vs-you then the stew turns bad. Example of this would be a sterotypical club that chooses members instead of being open to fit in a predetermined standard, like an exclusive fraternity or in the extreme the KKK. Mutual beneficial socializing versus selfish social capital is the key that I took away.
This resonated with me. Thank you. I think about “bridging” a lot. I’m a little chicken about doing it so this was fruitful for me. This is my bridging wish/inspiration……. Coming from personal experience. It can be embarrassing to be poor. In our culture it can feel like a personal failings. Having worked myself out of paycheck to paycheck living, becoming a white collar professional , I have the luxury of understanding that not having money was not a personal failing but a result of a lack of access, inspiration and for me, a perceptible path. I understand why Trump fans appreciate him. He makes them feel like they should be proud and hold their head up. They were ripe for the pickin’. I should say, I’m speaking about rural America or rust belt America. I hope, I so hope, we can bridge to them. I am through and through a Democrat but the truth is, I worry we don’t help those that really need it. Not the kids in the inner city, not those on the Appalachian mountains. Our party will hopefully give them opportunities and we can collectively support and help them try the options we fight for them to have.
It is a terrible thing about poverty in America that it is seen as a moral failing. "If you were a better person, you wouldn't be poor." It's awful programming to grow up with. I'm glad you've been come to absolve yourself of that in light of the real cause (lack of access, institutional racism, sexism barriers, etc.) What you say about Trumpists is so correct. He appeals to the need in them to be absolved of their (imagined) responsibility for their poverty. We need to show them the real solution: it isn't "us vs. them" but "we're all in this together."
@@kassistwisted thank you. It’s a vulnerable thing to discuss and your response is validating and comforting. I especially appreciate what you wrote. A very concise and elegant explanation of what I was trying to communicate. I do worry though. I hope we, as a collective, can have more discussions of this nature. I don’t see very many non standard media channels, on the left, broaching the subject. A lot of programs are not designed to reach those who really need it. They helped people like me, who although poor, not in poverty. Not that your words were incorrect, I’m just making the distinction for clarity. There are people living in abject poverty who we are not reaching. I think it starts with discussion. Platforming politicians who represent rural and inner city areas.
hey there! Thanks so much for this great interview and introduction to Bob Putnum. Just a thought, I know right leaning folk I would have liked to share this video with, but your title made it pretty hard. I don't think some of them would get past that.
The isolation during covid has accelerated the process. We've forgotten how to connect, or the trauma we experienced during covid has made us fearful of reconnecting with each other😢
As a carpenter/home builder. The disconnect is apparent in home construction over the years. For example, Victorian and colonial houses, were close to the street and had front porches. As people would walk ride by on their horse, they would meet the neighbors who were hanging out on the front porch. The back yard was a half acre or more of just grass. Now houses are set as far back from the street, hedges, fences, walls, block the street. Porch in the back yard. More hedges, fences, walls. Seclusion is what people wanted.
As someone who's traveled a lot and put a lot of effort into connections, I'm a bit appalled by how cold and unwelcoming many Americans are too strangers relative to others. Even if you work at it, people make it hard
When covid lockdown first started, I saw a boy sitting outside his friend's bedroom window with an xbox controller in his hands. They were playing together but still socially distancing, and it warmed my heart. We want to be together. ❤
Social capital, - This is how Japanese society works. After living in and raising a family there over past 20 years, returning to Australian & NZ, I feel the lack of social capital.
Wow. I had a person from NZ laugh at human and animal suffering when I mentioned that it was 45C, the comment was, “I hope global warming continues so it can be warm where I live.” The person has said it to me 3 times and I just laugh at the sociopathy. What ever happened to not making a joke at someone’s expense? There are plenty of things to laugh about, including how things go wrong when it’s hot. But to gloat about other people suffering?
@@nancychandler3673That’s a different concept altogether. This doesn’t mean that economic growth doesn’t benefit from social capital, but in theory this could’ve applied to other economic systems. (I suspect that the socialist experiments that survived longer without succumbing to corruption and the free rider problem did so because of high levels of social capital).
I’m Australian too but have a different experience. Lots of support and friendliness in my community. I have some brilliant neighbours and I consider everyone, from the dentist to people in the local supermarket my friends. It’s really nice to go for a walk and be able to say hi and get a smile from everyone, even strangers.❤
I lived in Parma, OH. a Cleveland 'suburb ' for 7 years from the West coast. The neighbors were phenomenal, adopting this recent widow, welcoming me & helping me. Fast forward to a move now to Missouri years later & when i moved in to this suburban neighborhood, my neighbor across the street, A ROMANIAN IMMIGRANT, came over to help me unload my truck. I'm the token liberal in my'hood', but everyone has been great . We have an HOA, so there are no flags or signs in yards (thank god)😂 💙💙💙💙💙💙
@floridamanrides863 it's just a 50 home suburban development that has rules to benefit the home owners . We vote on the rules, keep our homes up & support each other. It's pretty cool actually when you're like me, a 72 yr old disabled widow.🙂
John,, excellent show. Totally engaged in Bob's deep insights. History does repeat itself. 60m Americans can't all be wrong, just on wrong path. Eamon 🇮🇪
This was a DEEPLY valuable podcast for me. Am 65. Went to elite schools and had a cool career. But i live far from where I grew up... and find myself "under-connected." So I here volunteer to help YOU launch a series of conferences (AFTER the election), so that fans of this podcast could meet in person, learn, collaberate, and cook up ideas about how to collaberate.
Every problem comes back to the same thing every time. We can't move forward as a country until we address, educate, and talk about racism. That's the foundation of a lot of this.
Idk my personal project. I’m black btw for context. When I go to college and study up on this stuff. I want to campaign in places that no one does. Like poor white and black areas. Idk I see historic photos of politicians GOING to the people. And I think we should bring that back. But maybe that happens locally?
Yeah, nah... we need more racism, not less. The most racist countries in he world just happen to be the nicest to live in.... Japan, South Korea, Poland, Hungary... top tier civilizations.
Racism is a subset of one of the three key problems. These are: othering (discriminating against groups on the basis of identity and physical difference), economic exploitation (the foundational structure of the economy that drives wealth inequality, encourages waste, and requires continuous growth and prevents investment in personal and collective leisure time), and informed trust (encompassing the social and individual abilities to perform effective critical assessments of claims and information and to evaluate and design authorities which are worthy of broad based trust).
Astoundingly good. Distills so much of the questions around "what the fu** is going on in our society" into something simple, concise and so impersonal (scientific). This is an "us" problem as humanity. Not a "them" problem - which is what we must get away from. Couldn't love this discussion more and makes a lot of things click in my mind.
I'm part of a cat rescue group. A couple are T supporters. We really don't talk politics once we find out whom we support in the election. We have in common, saving cats. And move on to save the cats. My point being, we don't have to talk politics yet we're still "social capital".
Reagan made us into a dog-eat-dog world, much like the America of the Gilded Age. Roosevelt solved that. Now we've forgotten that we, as humans, NEED community. Even if we make millions of dollars at our work, we still need the society of other humans to be healthy and happy. There needs to be a levelling.
Hands down best video I've seen in Pod Save America. The world needs more virtues, character building, and spirituality. Only when technological development and spiritual development happen hand in hand will the world's problems start to be fixed
I totally understand the need to nerd out. Bowling Alone and Putnam 2020 book, the Upswing are on my bookshelf and his book Making Democracy Work is on !y to be read
Bowling Alone was 100% the most influential book I read as a political science major, much more than Locke, Kant, Marx, or any other political theorist.
re: the Taylor and Brittany issue; I have a hard time finding that kinship Putnam talked about with people on the political right. I'm a woman and I'm married to a trans woman. My neighbors voted in Ron Desantis and Trump, which I know because of the yard signs, truck flags, and bumper stickers I see constantly. Frankly, I don't trust them to be kind or respectful towards me and my wife. Not because they are an unknown quantity, but because I know their politics. Today's polarization isn't just about tax policy or gas prices, but about whether my wife is entitled to basic rights like using the bathroom. Our social capital HAS to be from online spaces if we don't want to risk violence from our neighbors or the state. I'm not interested in learning more about folks who would accost her in the ladies' room. Sorry if I'm ruining democracy. But I wonder how much Putnam has factored in situations like ours where in-person capital is actually dangerous BECAUSE of polarization.
Absolutely. He makes it sound like the burden is on you both to just be neighborly and ignore your mistreatment until those around you bother to see you as deserving of their respect. So sorry you have to deal with this.
@@andrewmcmanus9023 Yes! This is what bothered me about the interview. It reminded me of the tired refrain from conservatives about "Oh, look at the ~tolerant left~" which also places the burden on us to be the ones with an olive branch. We on the Left are apparently obligated to save democracy AND teach bigots to enlighten their views. That's a tall order and I don't know that bowling and book clubs are worth the risks.
I don’t know. As an African American woman who also has a PhD, I take issue with the claim that the US was “essentially Sweden” and equal in the 1960s. The differences between white and Black wealth in this country has never been anywhere near equal. I think he takes somewhat of a “colorblind” approach-at least in this interview. A “colorblind” approach will never help us…well it won’t help all of us. Editing to add: A colorblind approach only helps White people (I originally said liberals, which isn’t the most accurate). And in my opinion, it’s always a red flag when people glorify the 1960s (in any way). 👀 Editing again to add: I’m not necessarily invalidating Dr. Putnam’s argument about social connectedness. I’m challenging his claims that don’t seem to adequately consider non-White experiences and perspectives.
That’s the first thing that popped into my head, or anytime people talk about how much better some previous time was. We have some issues today, but as a whole you will almost never find a better time than the present. Steven Pinker makes that point I think?
Vance is prepared to throw his wife under the bus for power like Ted cruz. Trumplicans have learnt to get ahead in republican party they have to put trump first above everything. Above family, country and their God.
Watching this very interesting discussion on a screen. Without your screens and my screen I don't think I would've heard of Bob Putnam. So it's certainly not all bad. Absolutely agree with Putnam's thesis. Since I've retired I notice the diminished social capitalism. No worries; I've been fortunate to keep in touch with my former colleagues, and built some new capital with new people. Had not thought about this as a wider issue than just keeping old folks socialized but I totally see how this isolation could have country-wide implications. Dang it, Jon! You've made me buy another book, Bowling Alone, to start.
We were less polarized when the status quo was maintained for white males. When I was a child in the eighties, we were a brown middle class family. We had new cars every other year and my parents (interracial) were home owners. Everyone was ok with persons of color achieving to a certain point, so long as we all stayed within our respective lanes. So long as the white (Christian predominantly) male was the default leader and was understood as superior, we could coexist for the most part. Once we got “uppity” and started “getting ideas” that people of color or women could be leaders, could live in YOUR neighborhood, could make YOUR income and investments, not accept inferiority- we started getting into trouble. When the white males’ “legacy” is perceived to be threatened, we have big trouble. That’s when those in power see an opportunity to grow grievances amongst people who had been friends and neighbors, appealing to latent biases that we were able to suppress before. I watched my community play out like The Fox and the Hound. It was heartbreaking, but instructive.
My take on social capital: be a decent human being. Many religions call it The Golden Rule. I'm from New Jersey, so we call it 'don't be an assh*le'...
Thank you for your podcast. This reminds me of the king who wanted strong men for his army and decreed that the baby boys would not be touched and comforted by anyone and to his thoughts this would make them strong. All of the babies died.
As a swiftie deeply in the swiftie twitter sphere, I would say it’s difficult to tell people they should make friends with people who disagree with who they are on a fundamental level and wish to see legislation aimed against their person. I saw a lot of POC and those in the LGBTQ community getting frustrated because there was a faction saying-no it’s fine for Taylor to be friends with trump supporters, or it’s good even. And we may need social connection to get ourselves out of this hole, but I think that is asking a lot of people whose very existence is hated or at the very least dehumanized by the people we’re saying they should make social connections with.
This discussion really hit home. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1970's and believed in supporting others. Later my observation in the 2010's was that female volunteers were being used as cheap labor instead of paying workers properly. I quit volunteering entirely because of how I saw that being played out. I'm still skeptical of volunteering in my red state of Indiana for that reason.
I was so inspired by this interview. Now I've two books to read right away. Thank you, Jon, for introducing me to Bob Putnam. Thank you and nobody needed to say "fucking"!!
Fellow poli-sci (we call it 'Government and International Relations' here in Australia, but same thing...) and sociology major here. Bob Putnam is an amazing guest! I spent so much time studying his work, and the work it inspired. Now, if you can manage to get Manuel Castells on...
Part of the problem is how busy our American lives have become. There’s just no time with people working multiple jobs. Some are mentally and physically exhausted.
As a single person without children, I can tell you that the reason that I have, over the course of my thirties, withdrawn from the world of in-person social activity is not the lack of desire, but the erosion of buying power. I have no major financial responsibilities and still, my disposable income went from some to very little. That alone was enough to destroy my ability to participate. My point is that he can assert that it is lack of caring, but that has never been my problem. My problem has been one of economics. No disposable income, no ability to socialize in person. If there is a lack of caring to blame, it is a deficit on the part of the capitalists and not the laborers.
good point .. unless you are in the top 10% (the 1 + 9) that has 80% of the wealth .. what is the 'bottom' 90% to do while scrapping for the remaining 20% .. however depending on your location there are free events one could attend at museums parks libraries etc ....
There's also the onset of 'hustle culture' which has people perpetually working. Some people simply can't afford to stop working for a night of bowling or book club.
This shows how much our notions of socialization have been warped. We don't need to go out for coffee. Face-to-face conversation can be free. But as a society we've kind of forgotten that.
I implore you to reconsider that it takes a lot of money to be able to get social capital. Pleaee dont think hobbies are unavailable for you. It can be something simple as friends getting together for a book club. Or getting together with others for tabletop games like a board game/DnD night. Or it could be volunteering a couple hours on the weekend for some sort of community service through your city, like with the parks & rec department or habitat for humanity. It could be getting to know your neighbors better, like chat someone up if you're outside together doing stuff like gardening/walking a pet... and in doing so you can be the impetus for a frw neighbors hanging out socially. Or finding a sporty group via your local city reddit page if people get together for disc golf at the local park. It's really all about making yourself open to the experience of making in real life friends by being seen to be into participation.
❤ I am a millennial I'm the king of Dr Putnam in college also and have been a big fan bowling alone is a part of the reason I left school and joined the first Obama campaign in 2007. Thank you so much for this episode 5:37
Well , John , it turns out you are one of the lucky ones who met one of his heroes and was not disappointed, quite the reverse. The fact he has an interesting and profound way of looking at society BASED ON QUALIFIED FACT BASED ANALYSIS probably helps. Should be weedsy , but , he is such an engaging communicator I could listen all day . But ,he would want me out in my community 😁
In Australia our federal elections are pretty simplistic compared to the US. We get about 6 weeks notice that an election has been called, zero to just a tad political ads with no money is raising for any party. Our state and federal elections are always on a Saturday, we are given a pencil and paper ballots, compulsory voting ensures we have a load of election places to choose from, we waiting around 15 minutes, it takes 3 minutes, we leave and buy a hot dog. Hot dog stands out the front of election places is the traditional way to vote and then we get on with our day. People working on Saturdays are allowed time to vote and still be paid. Unlike your Electoral system which is baffling, the person with the most votes wins...raising $500,000 in a day insane. Don't buy my vote, earn it.
They're not hotdogs, they're democracy sausages, a sausage in a slice of bread. I know you said that so the Americans would understand, but I hope they'd be interested to know what we really eat.
@@grantc61 no our federal elections have nothing to do with local Members of Parliament. We do have the seperate right to vote in our electorate again nothing to do with federal elections.
Our infrastructure does not allow for community. Walking as a form of transportation is gone. Cars have isolated us. We have no common meeting spaces, ie town squares. Everything is commercialized, nothing is “free”. Not only aren’t kids outside, adults never venture outside. We don’t “bump” into others anymore. Everyone is so tired from working, we have no emotional availability to help others, to hang with others, to deal with the complexities of human relationships- people just want to hibernate. These aren’t my ideas, but I enjoy reading and listening to stuff like this. This is why America is collapsing.
I moved out of the States when I retired for many reasons. The USA culture has been in denial since its founding. Live outside the country for a few years and you can see it clearly. Robert is rignt on. Gracias to Pod Save America for this program. Vaya con Dios.
for some years now i am talking with friends, collegues and family about polarization (here in the Netherlands i.e. about Black Face, supposingly a fact of a traditional and historical children's event) and Trumpism around the world... we came down at a combination of aspects of modern life, including processed foods, screen time, loss of Nature, and so on. HERE i found the overall answer, the decline of social capital. Thank you so much for this - so many people should watch this, and law enforcement and politicians too.
I loved this episode! I am nearer his age and have lived a lot of what he has said! I sent this to my sister and will post this on Facebook lol! Best advice for these times as I have heard! Thank you both!❤️
I wonder the extent to which this idea of social capital is partially mythologised -- by this metric, America of the 1950s had great social capital, but this was partially by excluding black people and people of differing political convictions from local communal life, and excluding women from public conversation.
60s and 70s were better. Neighborhood groups, PTA, scouts, churches, etc. Now we work so hard to just keep up, no time for social groups. Income inequality is Def huge issue. Tax the rich and give money to start small businesses.
You are more missing a big factor-women are working. Women were joiners, had strong networks. Now, with work, kids, home, family, who has time for PTA and picnics?
What a wonderful guest and what a wonderful interview! Jon's joy and admiration was really palpable. What a treat! Interview more of your heroes, please! Also I just love the view scientists take and all the context and bird's eye view of the issues is so wonderful! 10/10 here!
Very popular comment on message boards for parents: “it’s so hard to make friends as an adult!”. Another very popular comment “I HATE going to birthday parties with my kid where I have to stand around in a jovial atmosphere making small talk with other attention starved adults that I have many things in common with and who live near me!” 🤷♀️
In the US we first abandoned villages, then the extended family, and THEN we built Suburban sprawl, and therefore the connection with the soil, and the value of human connections & essential collaboration. The “unpolarization” seems to depend upon our recognition of our interdependence in order to thrive as a Society… we NEED each other. And , I absolutely agree that we simply need to honor the fact that ALL of our networks are valid ways of communicating & making connections. It comes down to understanding the constructive ways of using them AND the responsibility inherent in their use. I am most grateful for the opportunity of having a much broader world view and the ability to learn from those who I may never get to meet in person, because of this technology we are sharing in the moment. One day we will comprehend that all media is “Social Media.”
When you make people work longer, and more hours, spend more time in traffic, they have less time for clubs, volunteering, etc. Those activities build connections.
Social capital is also strengthened by acceptance of ours neighbors values aligned universally. Growth across the spectrum of prosperity, all with peaceful discourse and integrity.
I think one of the toughest parts of putting myself in the shoes of someone who disagrees with me on trump is that most times we can’t even agree on basic facts.
I just started canvassing for Harris/walz, and I love it. It’s been life changing talking to strangers who often have very different values and experiences from me. Now I know that’s called “bridging,” and it feels really good.
Amen 🙏 God bless your motivation helping our vice president Kamala to win.. our family will be voting blue all the way against dictator by convicted Don old narcissistic man
I got nothing. No social network, no friends nearby, I’m a loner. I’m realizing that needs to change. I’m in the process of moving (to save money) and I’m going to lay out a plan to build some networks. I’m autistic and have trouble communicating, but I have to try. Being alone is too hard. Thanks for this.
You should be out, don’t be afraid. You may have more support than you know.
I am an avid disc golfer and I travel for work, I don’t know if you’re into something like that, but, disc golf has provided me a community to step into in every town where I’ve been sent to work. There’s usually a pick-up doubles event every week at every course in America. You get randomly paired with another golfer, throw $5-10 into a pot and go play a round with this random partner and two other people also randomly put together. It’s a very laid back community, a sport with a hippie background, so there’s no pressure to compete or be good. I highly recommend disc golf.
I have a son dealing with some similar issues. There is support out there. Good luck to you!
My daughter has suffered from the same issues being on the spectrum. Hope things work out for you.
Boardgames!
You're watching Friends rather than having friends. That's an excellent point.
In my case, I'm not going to the movies with friends. I'm watching and commenting as strangers react to movies on UA-cam.
@@MichaelJohnson-vi6ehI'm at the movies commenting to commenters who don't go to the movies about commenting while at the movies.
@@chelonnyamidas Honestly friends was before our time, it was HIMYM
This guy might have been the best guest for me in a long while of listening yall. Love it.
I was thinking the same thing!
I absolutely enjoyed this gentleman doing the 'academic geek-out' next to a desk cluttered with pipes and pipe-cleaners. Classic.
100% agree. This entire interview is fantastic
I agree. Very good.
We had two 50 lb boxes of skittles delivered to our house early yesterday morning, different name, wrong address. My husband called the company that sent them & found out they were meant for a roller derby event a town over the next day. His back is out & he was worried that he couldn’t get them to the arena. I got up, heard the story, remembered the first name of the lovely young woman I’d met at our awesome block party a few weeks ago, that she played roller derby, and their house. Tah dah, problem solved. Yay for getting to know your neighbors!
Highly recommend block parties, so fun, & also so useful.
In other words, get rid of social media and make people talk to/get to know each other FACE TO FACE.
@@gceElwoodlol, I’m a big fan of social media, but face to face events are SO important, and also so fun! I’m an extrovert mostly & was still rly shy about going to our block party. Almost didn’t. But it. was. Awesome. Hopefully your block has a good organizer, it takes a bit of work, but the city was all in once we had the signatures. Had a fire truck for kids, good safety talk as well.
We actually had a tree planting event many yrs ago, supported by the city, and our (very long and city-adjacent) block is now pretty well leafy green and lovely vs just a few trees before.
SO much can be done with a little effort and a few super outgoing people. ❤️
@@lcflngn I remember a group of women planted trees on every lawn in town. Fast fwd 8 years and the power company cut the tops off all the trees because they were planted under the power lines. 😮
"You said it was two boxes of skittles? How strange, I only see one huge box of my favorite candy..." 😅
@@gceElwoodyes! I was just talking to a friend about this same subject. We vowed we would give up social media and do things outside of our houses.
Excellent interview with some very interesting ideas discussed. Thanks for not interrupting your guest but just letting him talk so that his ideas could be properly explained.
This is so wonderful to hear right now. He lowers my blood pressure ❤❤
OMG please have this guy back. I’m gonna get his books but this is brilliant.
WOW, we need more of this!!!!!!!
YES!
Yes!
Yes. This was so much fun to listen to.
Bob is the kind of person that will save America if people listen to him and follow his advice.
Yeah. Bob is the best. Let’s get boys back in Boy Scouts and save the world. 😂😂😂
And, I think Dr.Bandy Lee is another "voice of reason" in this "wilderness" of chaos and divisiveness. I am a retired Registered Nurse with ER experience and Labor and Delivery for 45 years. Much of my work was in County hospitals. Despite our differences, hurricanes and other disasters drew everyone together for a common cause. Now we are all recovering from the trauma of seeing mass graves & fear of an "invisible enemy". Add a malignant narcissist who has spread his mental pathology to a herd of susceptible citizens.
I agree, it’s eye opening on a large scale analysis. So fascinating and I already want to help our small community to have more gatherings face to face.
I started watching this channel a couple of weeks ago. This is absolutely the best episode thus far... kudos.
We need to hear more from wonderful people like Bob. His essence is nerdy, kind, passionate, learned, the neighbor next door and so relevant.
Isn't JD Vance a Senator from Ohio. Shouldn't he be in Ohio helping take care of this "terrible problem" he's talking about?
No he’s too busy spreading the racism. It is a shame. I feel for the people that have to endure this nonsense.
Any non weird politician Dem or Republican would do what you say. Vance is not that.
You mean a problem he started?
Yes, he should be concerned about the people in his state
He is pumped up by causing misery and fear among people who live in his own state. Imagine how happy he will be if and when Trump becomes President and dies during his term, leaving Vance to run the show and do to America what he's doing to Ohio.
I love this guest. What a beautiful spirit. So much wisdom here.
Top 5 episode/guest. I love how much love is shown between Jon and Bob- their mutual respect is so clear. Wholesome, non-toxic masculinity in action!
That is such a good way of putting it. I cldnt stop thinking abt Tim Walz and how he and Mr: Putnam both express themselves similarly. Never underestimate a teacher! :)
Bob Putnam is a great listen. Someone actually recommended me his book Bowling Alone just a few weeks ago. Very interesting guy. 👍
Simply put...a sublime human being and wonderful guest! Thank you Jon!
Thanks for bringing this amazing intellect and analyst to your show. I have enjoyed this enormously, taken to a better place where connection, kindness, neighbourhoods and conversations are properly valued.
I am an unapologetic talker- happy to make conversation with the person at the supermarket, the passer-by, whoever. Conversation is free and can brighten someone's day but I do it because I like people. I'm
not a pest just someone who will either reply or initiate a short casual conversation any time.
I also work with people who are homeless who have never had social capital and our work includes the development of connection, trust, identity and safety. It's very affirming to hear this discussion.
Simply put, more equity and equality, less racism and prejudice.
Agreed. But more simply put, get rid of social media. That seems to be where it all started to go pear-shaped, imo!
Those are rather the results than the starting points of what Bob is talking about. When you invest in togetherness (social capital), equity, equality and less racism and prejudice will follow.
Stated another way, vote Blue up & down the ticket, be authentic, kind, stay curious & find ways to connect.
And Maga wants to eliminate these very words
@@gceElwood That's like putting a band aid on a cut when the guy has a gun shot wound. Your not really addressing the biggest problem. These crazy people were here before social media and they will be here long after. They will find a way to communicate and spread their hate. I don't pretend to have the answer, but getting rid of social media ain't it.
Jon, you and the Pod Save America team have inspired me to run for office in my local area. Thank you for encouraging people to take action and make a difference!
That's awesome! Good luck in your race!
Good luck in your race! Let us know how you did!
I just love his unusual use of the English word 'reciprocity, because where I live in France, one uses this word often, without being at all pompous and it means, that Life is a two-way street and no-one gets to claiim the higher moral ground.
Viva la France ❤
Great interview! I am 80 and I agree with your guest. My grandson is almost 11. He watched the debate and had excellent question. The youth will change this world and usher in tolerance and peace. Thanks again for what you do! ❤❤
The problem with "put your differences aside" rhetoric is when the difference is that the other person doesn't see you as fully human or believe you should have rights based on your race/gender/sexuality, or whatever it may be, it becomes exponentially more difficult or even dangerous to try to reach across the aisle. I think Contrapoints made some excellent points around this in her video about the Witch Trials of JK Rowling.
Karl Popper's Paradox of intolerance,was it Natalie that spoke about that? The Paradox, I mean.
He magically skipped all the important issues of that supposedly golden era he was talking about, the homophobia, the racism, the sexism... Those people in that time got along "fine" because the only voice heard was a cishet white man voice. I dont think """""crime""""" started because they move to the city, but because opressed people started fighting for their rights again. Many, many red flags in this interview.
I can't thank you enough for this interview. I rate videos by how much they cause me to think and how much valuable information gets added to that process. I will listen more than once! When we are exposed to new perspectives, we grow. Many thanks!
As to the face-to-face effect the professor refers to. I have been to Franklin BBQ in Austin twice in my life. If you've never been, this involves standing in line with total strangers for 2-3 hours. In both cases, once in 2015 (pre Trump) and the other in 2022 (post Covid) the experience was identically wonderful. My son and I conversed with some guys from Philadelphia about hockey, football and soccer the first time, and the second time my wife and I had a lovely talk with a couple from Boston over kids, jobs, family and travel. In neither case did politics come up for an instant. We haven't lost our ability to communicate and get along, we're just out of practice. Great interview. Thanks.
You missed the point , his most important message is less social equality more alienation. You were standing in lin3 with those who can afford to stand in line. Do you eve n know there are people that can’t afford to stand in line.
What you should be doing is helping everyone to be able to have the same experience as you.
If people had a living wage, they too could stand in line. If people were not buried under huge medical debt perhaps they would be able to stand in line.
Instead of being so self congratulatory actually think what YOU need to do to enable your fellow citizens to live their best lives.
I don’t think you understood at all.
And you missed a bunch of bbq spots that aren’t tourist traps.
@@dianeshelton9592 “Self-congratulatory” is a little harsh, Diane; how be YOU find something positive about the pleasant interactions of strangers chatting while waiting in line? If you REALLY want to criticize someone, with just cause, may I recommend the likes of Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Kevin McCarthy and their ilk who sold their souls to the devil in the pursuit of personal power? They KNEW what they were doing and they did it anyway, betraying their constituents, their country and themselves; THEY are worth opposing!
@@dianeshelton9592this comment was a masterclass in how to alienate people. Castigating people for spending their free time on things they enjoy is a weird form of misery trolling. If OP wants to spend 2-3 hours of his vacation in line at a tourist restaurant, then people who also do that ARE his community. ETC: by community, I was referring to real life interactions and finding commonality beyond the steep cultural divides that seem to define our current society.
@@Twosheets yeah but they're not as good. But you do you...
Wow I enjoyed the conversation. I recently moved to a small town in SW Nova Scotia. We could do with a major inheritance, but the social capital is out of the park. So it’s a happy place! Thanks for great guests and amazing conversations!
Robert PUtnam is FASCINATING!
It's Bob 😂❤
@@tammyburke9453 👍
I also loved reading his books in my freshman polysci class. Remembered we read Bowling Alone alongside Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. Which was a very average person focused point of view on the culture driving events and major upheavals in the US. My professor at BU also had Zinn (an emeritus) back in 2001 to pop in and guest lecture.
We discussed how a bunch of people can drive greatness or drive destruction. This was on the heels of 9/11 happening that fall btw....so relevant. People powered the civil rights movements but also drove distructive fascist/othering movements.
The interplay of social capital for good and bad was heavily discussed and all our term papers were based on our take-aways. IMO there is a social capital "stew" and if it's a you-help-me-I-help-you then the stew is good. Example would be mutual beneficial community-based groupings that bring people of different backgrounds together like card games/DnD or bbq parties. If the stew is a "social circle jerk" and too tribal (less individual background differences) me-vs-you then the stew turns bad. Example of this would be a sterotypical club that chooses members instead of being open to fit in a predetermined standard, like an exclusive fraternity or in the extreme the KKK.
Mutual beneficial socializing versus selfish social capital is the key that I took away.
This resonated with me. Thank you.
I think about “bridging” a lot. I’m a little chicken about doing it so this was fruitful for me. This is my bridging wish/inspiration…….
Coming from personal experience. It can be embarrassing to be poor. In our culture it can feel like a personal failings. Having worked myself out of paycheck to paycheck living, becoming a white collar professional , I have the luxury of understanding that not having money was not a personal failing but a result of a lack of access, inspiration and for me, a perceptible path. I understand why Trump fans appreciate him. He makes them feel like they should be proud and hold their head up. They were ripe for the
pickin’. I should say, I’m speaking about rural America or rust belt America. I hope, I so hope, we can bridge to them. I am through and through a Democrat but the truth is, I worry we don’t help those that really need it. Not the kids in the inner city, not those on the Appalachian mountains. Our party will hopefully give them opportunities and we can collectively support and help them try the options we fight for them to have.
It is a terrible thing about poverty in America that it is seen as a moral failing. "If you were a better person, you wouldn't be poor." It's awful programming to grow up with. I'm glad you've been come to absolve yourself of that in light of the real cause (lack of access, institutional racism, sexism barriers, etc.) What you say about Trumpists is so correct. He appeals to the need in them to be absolved of their (imagined) responsibility for their poverty. We need to show them the real solution: it isn't "us vs. them" but "we're all in this together."
@@kassistwisted thank you. It’s a vulnerable thing to discuss and your response is validating and comforting. I especially appreciate what you wrote. A very concise and elegant explanation of what I was trying to communicate. I do worry though. I hope we, as a collective, can have more discussions of this nature. I don’t see very many non standard media channels, on the left, broaching the subject. A lot of programs are not designed to reach those who really need it. They helped people like me, who although poor, not in poverty. Not that your words were incorrect, I’m just making the distinction for clarity. There are people living in abject poverty who we are not reaching. I think it starts with discussion. Platforming politicians who represent rural and inner city areas.
hey there! Thanks so much for this great interview and introduction to Bob Putnum. Just a thought, I know right leaning folk I would have liked to share this video with, but your title made it pretty hard. I don't think some of them would get past that.
Sadly yeah, they really do need to though..
The isolation during covid has accelerated the process. We've forgotten how to connect, or the trauma we experienced during covid has made us fearful of reconnecting with each other😢
As a carpenter/home builder. The disconnect is apparent in home construction over the years. For example, Victorian and colonial houses, were close to the street and had front porches. As people would walk ride by on their horse, they would meet the neighbors who were hanging out on the front porch. The back yard was a half acre or more of just grass. Now houses are set as far back from the street, hedges, fences, walls, block the street. Porch in the back yard. More hedges, fences, walls. Seclusion is what people wanted.
As someone who's traveled a lot and put a lot of effort into connections, I'm a bit appalled by how cold and unwelcoming many Americans are too strangers relative to others. Even if you work at it, people make it hard
When covid lockdown first started, I saw a boy sitting outside his friend's bedroom window with an xbox controller in his hands. They were playing together but still socially distancing, and it warmed my heart. We want to be together. ❤
great guest, thanks for having him on. would love to see a conversation between him and walz
The evangelicals of today don’t honor nor follow Christ’s teachings.
False prophets
Judgmental: they like to play God.
I hear he still checks in…😯
Except for a small group of progressive Evangelicals who is work and have always worked in social justice and the actual teachings of Jesus.
Ask me if I give a shit? You don't follow your prophet's teachings either... MLK would roll in his grave at the shit you're doing.
f outta here lol
Social capital, - This is how Japanese society works. After living in and raising a family there over past 20 years, returning to Australian & NZ, I feel the lack of social capital.
Otherwise known as Enlightened Capitalism.
Wow. I had a person from NZ laugh at human and animal suffering when I mentioned that it was 45C, the comment was, “I hope global warming continues so it can be warm where I live.” The person has said it to me 3 times and I just laugh at the sociopathy. What ever happened to not making a joke at someone’s expense? There are plenty of things to laugh about, including how things go wrong when it’s hot. But to gloat about other people suffering?
@@nancychandler3673That’s a different concept altogether. This doesn’t mean that economic growth doesn’t benefit from social capital, but in theory this could’ve applied to other economic systems.
(I suspect that the socialist experiments that survived longer without succumbing to corruption and the free rider problem did so because of high levels of social capital).
@@gabitamiravideosWould you say the Social Capitalism and Enlightened Capitalism are the same progressive policies?
I’m Australian too but have a different experience. Lots of support and friendliness in my community. I have some brilliant neighbours and I consider everyone, from the dentist to people in the local supermarket my friends. It’s really nice to go for a walk and be able to say hi and get a smile from everyone, even strangers.❤
I lived in Parma, OH. a Cleveland 'suburb ' for 7 years from the West coast. The neighbors were phenomenal, adopting this recent widow, welcoming me & helping me. Fast forward to a move now to Missouri years later & when i moved in to this suburban neighborhood, my neighbor across the street, A ROMANIAN IMMIGRANT, came over to help me unload my truck.
I'm the token liberal in my'hood', but everyone has been great .
We have an HOA, so there are no flags or signs in yards (thank god)😂
💙💙💙💙💙💙
The HOA stops residents from flying the American flag too?
@floridamanrides863 No. It stops political advertising and signs of all kind in yards but US flag is allowed
@@mfavaloro6052 👍🏾. Just reading what you wrote. Was unclear. I don’t and never would live in a HOA.
@floridamanrides863 it's just a 50 home suburban development that has rules to benefit the home owners . We vote on the rules, keep our homes up & support each other. It's pretty cool actually when you're like me, a 72 yr old disabled widow.🙂
Thank you so much for this.
John,, excellent show. Totally engaged in Bob's deep insights. History does repeat itself. 60m Americans can't all be wrong, just on wrong path. Eamon 🇮🇪
This was a DEEPLY valuable podcast for me. Am 65. Went to elite schools and had a cool career. But i live far from where I grew up... and find myself "under-connected." So I here volunteer to help YOU launch a series of conferences (AFTER the election), so that fans of this podcast could meet in person, learn, collaberate, and cook up ideas about how to collaberate.
Brilliant, thank you.
Every problem comes back to the same thing every time. We can't move forward as a country until we address, educate, and talk about racism. That's the foundation of a lot of this.
It is. It’s so simple but so complicated.
Idk my personal project. I’m black btw for context. When I go to college and study up on this stuff. I want to campaign in places that no one does. Like poor white and black areas. Idk I see historic photos of politicians GOING to the people. And I think we should bring that back. But maybe that happens locally?
Yeah, nah... we need more racism, not less.
The most racist countries in he world just happen to be the nicest to live in.... Japan, South Korea, Poland, Hungary... top tier civilizations.
Racism is a subset of one of the three key problems. These are: othering (discriminating against groups on the basis of identity and physical difference), economic exploitation (the foundational structure of the economy that drives wealth inequality, encourages waste, and requires continuous growth and prevents investment in personal and collective leisure time), and informed trust (encompassing the social and individual abilities to perform effective critical assessments of claims and information and to evaluate and design authorities which are worthy of broad based trust).
I think this attitude is very wrong and is exactly part of the problem.
Astoundingly good. Distills so much of the questions around "what the fu** is going on in our society" into something simple, concise and so impersonal (scientific). This is an "us" problem as humanity. Not a "them" problem - which is what we must get away from. Couldn't love this discussion more and makes a lot of things click in my mind.
I'm part of a cat rescue group. A couple are T supporters. We really don't talk politics once we find out whom we support in the election. We have in common, saving cats. And move on to save the cats. My point being, we don't have to talk politics yet we're still "social capital".
Reagan made us into a dog-eat-dog world, much like the America of the Gilded Age. Roosevelt solved that. Now we've forgotten that we, as humans, NEED community. Even if we make millions of dollars at our work, we still need the society of other humans to be healthy and happy. There needs to be a levelling.
We praised the wealth and wealthy and have slid back into social Darwinism
no more like roosvelt solved it .. and then reagan cancelled it .. and dems never brought it back ...
Putnam's book is great, it stays with you for sure.
What a wonderful conversation. You and Putnam are delightful to listen to and learn from. Thanks!
Hands down best video I've seen in Pod Save America.
The world needs more virtues, character building, and spirituality.
Only when technological development and spiritual development happen hand in hand will the world's problems start to be fixed
*Summary* ~ Declining social capital makes democracy vulnerable.
As you may know I hate one-on-one interviews. But this interview was thoroughly excellent.
Who are you?? I know now.
How would we know that? As you may know? How the hell would I know or would anybody else know?
Maybe we can all learn from the lessons of the video and be a little nicer to one another 😊
I totally understand the need to nerd out. Bowling Alone and Putnam 2020 book, the Upswing are on my bookshelf and his book Making Democracy Work is on !y to be read
I have this book too. I can’t remember if I have read it. I’m thinking it was one of or book club selections. Will dig it out.
Idk how to bridge a gap with someone that doesn’t want me exist as an lgbt person
Thanks for this, I appreciate this excellent conversation.
To my mind, Reagan steered us on to the modern self-centered path, i.e., neo-liberalism.
Bowling Alone was 100% the most influential book I read as a political science major, much more than Locke, Kant, Marx, or any other political theorist.
re: the Taylor and Brittany issue; I have a hard time finding that kinship Putnam talked about with people on the political right. I'm a woman and I'm married to a trans woman. My neighbors voted in Ron Desantis and Trump, which I know because of the yard signs, truck flags, and bumper stickers I see constantly. Frankly, I don't trust them to be kind or respectful towards me and my wife. Not because they are an unknown quantity, but because I know their politics. Today's polarization isn't just about tax policy or gas prices, but about whether my wife is entitled to basic rights like using the bathroom. Our social capital HAS to be from online spaces if we don't want to risk violence from our neighbors or the state. I'm not interested in learning more about folks who would accost her in the ladies' room. Sorry if I'm ruining democracy. But I wonder how much Putnam has factored in situations like ours where in-person capital is actually dangerous BECAUSE of polarization.
Absolutely. He makes it sound like the burden is on you both to just be neighborly and ignore your mistreatment until those around you bother to see you as deserving of their respect. So sorry you have to deal with this.
@@andrewmcmanus9023 Yes! This is what bothered me about the interview. It reminded me of the tired refrain from conservatives about "Oh, look at the ~tolerant left~" which also places the burden on us to be the ones with an olive branch. We on the Left are apparently obligated to save democracy AND teach bigots to enlighten their views. That's a tall order and I don't know that bowling and book clubs are worth the risks.
I don’t know. As an African American woman who also has a PhD, I take issue with the claim that the US was “essentially Sweden” and equal in the 1960s. The differences between white and Black wealth in this country has never been anywhere near equal. I think he takes somewhat of a “colorblind” approach-at least in this interview. A “colorblind” approach will never help us…well it won’t help all of us.
Editing to add: A colorblind approach only helps White people (I originally said liberals, which isn’t the most accurate). And in my opinion, it’s always a red flag when people glorify the 1960s (in any way). 👀
Editing again to add: I’m not necessarily invalidating Dr. Putnam’s argument about social connectedness. I’m challenging his claims that don’t seem to adequately consider non-White experiences and perspectives.
Agree!
That’s the first thing that popped into my head, or anytime people talk about how much better some previous time was.
We have some issues today, but as a whole you will almost never find a better time than the present. Steven Pinker makes that point I think?
Yes, thanks for your response. He definitely has an easily demonstrated "blindspot" regarding the 60s.
I *absolutely hated* the fact that he more or less completely dodged this issue when the Taylor Swift question came up.
My thoughts exactly. I mean his geniality and optimism is attractive and sweet but he is omitting a lot.
Im commenting twice. This is too good! Find a way to love one another. From there, growth and change begins (duh?)!
I wanna know who is going to tell Trump and Vance they are married to IMMIGRANTS who use curry?
Vance is prepared to throw his wife under the bus for power like Ted cruz. Trumplicans have learnt to get ahead in republican party they have to put trump first above everything. Above family, country and their God.
Trump's mother was an immigrant (English was her 'second' language).
Watching this very interesting discussion on a screen. Without your screens and my screen I don't think I would've heard of Bob Putnam. So it's certainly not all bad. Absolutely agree with Putnam's thesis. Since I've retired I notice the diminished social capitalism. No worries; I've been fortunate to keep in touch with my former colleagues, and built some new capital with new people. Had not thought about this as a wider issue than just keeping old folks socialized but I totally see how this isolation could have country-wide implications. Dang it, Jon! You've made me buy another book, Bowling Alone, to start.
I am learning so much. It's great to hear things I do think about, but I haven't put into words this clear and concise. Thanks, Jon and Bob!
We were less polarized when the status quo was maintained for white males. When I was a child in the eighties, we were a brown middle class family. We had new cars every other year and my parents (interracial) were home owners. Everyone was ok with persons of color achieving to a certain point, so long as we all stayed within our respective lanes. So long as the white (Christian predominantly) male was the default leader and was understood as superior, we could coexist for the most part. Once we got “uppity” and started “getting ideas” that people of color or women could be leaders, could live in YOUR neighborhood, could make YOUR income and investments, not accept inferiority- we started getting into trouble. When the white males’ “legacy” is perceived to be threatened, we have big trouble. That’s when those in power see an opportunity to grow grievances amongst people who had been friends and neighbors, appealing to latent biases that we were able to suppress before. I watched my community play out like The Fox and the Hound. It was heartbreaking, but instructive.
Thank you, this is what i missed in the interview, and speaks volumes.
My take on social capital: be a decent human being. Many religions call it The Golden Rule. I'm from New Jersey, so we call it 'don't be an assh*le'...
🤣
Positive vibes from New Hampshire, remember to be kind to each other and yourself during these trying times.
Thank you for your podcast. This reminds me of the king who wanted strong men for his army and decreed that the baby boys would not be touched and comforted by anyone and to his thoughts this would make them strong. All of the babies died.
Loved so many things about this. His wisdom and insight, and your mutual appreciation and enthusiasm for the topic!
As a swiftie deeply in the swiftie twitter sphere, I would say it’s difficult to tell people they should make friends with people who disagree with who they are on a fundamental level and wish to see legislation aimed against their person. I saw a lot of POC and those in the LGBTQ community getting frustrated because there was a faction saying-no it’s fine for Taylor to be friends with trump supporters, or it’s good even. And we may need social connection to get ourselves out of this hole, but I think that is asking a lot of people whose very existence is hated or at the very least dehumanized by the people we’re saying they should make social connections with.
This discussion really hit home. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1970's and believed in supporting others. Later my observation in the 2010's was that female volunteers were being used as cheap labor instead of paying workers properly. I quit volunteering entirely because of how I saw that being played out. I'm still skeptical of volunteering in my red state of Indiana for that reason.
I was so inspired by this interview. Now I've two books to read right away. Thank you, Jon, for introducing me to Bob Putnam. Thank you and nobody needed to say "fucking"!!
Brilliant interview! Thank you!
Fellow poli-sci (we call it 'Government and International Relations' here in Australia, but same thing...) and sociology major here. Bob Putnam is an amazing guest! I spent so much time studying his work, and the work it inspired. Now, if you can manage to get Manuel Castells on...
Part of the problem is how busy our American lives have become. There’s just no time with people working multiple jobs. Some are mentally and physically exhausted.
Just vote for freedom, integrity and democracy! KAMALA 🌊💙🇺🇸💯!!!
As a single person without children, I can tell you that the reason that I have, over the course of my thirties, withdrawn from the world of in-person social activity is not the lack of desire, but the erosion of buying power. I have no major financial responsibilities and still, my disposable income went from some to very little. That alone was enough to destroy my ability to participate.
My point is that he can assert that it is lack of caring, but that has never been my problem. My problem has been one of economics. No disposable income, no ability to socialize in person. If there is a lack of caring to blame, it is a deficit on the part of the capitalists and not the laborers.
good point .. unless you are in the top 10% (the 1 + 9) that has 80% of the wealth .. what is the 'bottom' 90% to do while scrapping for the remaining 20% .. however depending on your location there are free events one could attend at museums parks libraries etc ....
There's also the onset of 'hustle culture' which has people perpetually working. Some people simply can't afford to stop working for a night of bowling or book club.
Cat lady dont care
This shows how much our notions of socialization have been warped. We don't need to go out for coffee. Face-to-face conversation can be free. But as a society we've kind of forgotten that.
I implore you to reconsider that it takes a lot of money to be able to get social capital. Pleaee dont think hobbies are unavailable for you. It can be something simple as friends getting together for a book club. Or getting together with others for tabletop games like a board game/DnD night. Or it could be volunteering a couple hours on the weekend for some sort of community service through your city, like with the parks & rec department or habitat for humanity. It could be getting to know your neighbors better, like chat someone up if you're outside together doing stuff like gardening/walking a pet... and in doing so you can be the impetus for a frw neighbors hanging out socially. Or finding a sporty group via your local city reddit page if people get together for disc golf at the local park. It's really all about making yourself open to the experience of making in real life friends by being seen to be into participation.
❤ I am a millennial I'm the king of Dr Putnam in college also and have been a big fan bowling alone is a part of the reason I left school and joined the first Obama campaign in 2007. Thank you so much for this episode 5:37
Wow- I also studied his work at university- am nerding out here :) cheers from Botswana
Well , John , it turns out you are one of the lucky ones who met one of his heroes and was not disappointed, quite the reverse. The fact he has an interesting and profound way of looking at society BASED ON QUALIFIED FACT BASED ANALYSIS probably helps. Should be weedsy , but , he is such an engaging communicator I could listen all day . But ,he would want me out in my community 😁
What a show! It went by so fast and I had to send it to all my friends because It has every point in what I think of when I think of community.
In Australia our federal elections are pretty simplistic compared to the US. We get about 6 weeks notice that an election has been called, zero to just a tad political ads with no money is raising for any party. Our state and federal elections are always on a Saturday, we are given a pencil and paper ballots, compulsory voting ensures we have a load of election places to choose from, we waiting around 15 minutes, it takes 3 minutes, we leave and buy a hot dog. Hot dog stands out the front of election places is the traditional way to vote and then we get on with our day. People working on Saturdays are allowed time to vote and still be paid. Unlike your Electoral system which is baffling, the person with the most votes wins...raising $500,000 in a day insane. Don't buy my vote, earn it.
A simplistic summary. Yes, it seems less complicated than the US, but electorate redistribution and lobbying (vote buying) exists.
They're not hotdogs, they're democracy sausages, a sausage in a slice of bread. I know you said that so the Americans would understand, but I hope they'd be interested to know what we really eat.
@@neilwaldock6272 hahaha you fact checked me!! ☺️
@@grantc61 no our federal elections have nothing to do with local Members of Parliament. We do have the seperate right to vote in our electorate again nothing to do with federal elections.
@@anthecrawford3957 Yes, the Australian Electoral Commission is completely independent.
Jon I now understand why you and President Obama got on so well and you were so successful at your job in the White House.
Our infrastructure does not allow for community. Walking as a form of transportation is gone. Cars have isolated us. We have no common meeting spaces, ie town squares. Everything is commercialized, nothing is “free”. Not only aren’t kids outside, adults never venture outside. We don’t “bump” into others anymore. Everyone is so tired from working, we have no emotional availability to help others, to hang with others, to deal with the complexities of human relationships- people just want to hibernate.
These aren’t my ideas, but I enjoy reading and listening to stuff like this.
This is why America is collapsing.
What an amazing conversation! Thank you for bringing it to us❤
I’m so disheartened knowing our social capital is so unso
I moved out of the States when I retired for many reasons. The USA culture has been in denial since its founding. Live outside the country for a few years and you can see it clearly. Robert is rignt on. Gracias to Pod Save America for this program. Vaya con Dios.
'Make America Hate Again' would be a far more accurate slogan for Trump.
This may have been the best episode yet. So much information that is relevant , with a sliver of hope that things will change.
for some years now i am talking with friends, collegues and family about polarization (here in the Netherlands i.e. about Black Face, supposingly a fact of a traditional and historical children's event) and Trumpism around the world... we came down at a combination of aspects of modern life, including processed foods, screen time, loss of Nature, and so on. HERE i found the overall answer, the decline of social capital. Thank you so much for this - so many people should watch this, and law enforcement and politicians too.
I loved this episode! I am nearer his age and have lived a lot of what he has said! I sent this to my sister and will post this on Facebook lol! Best advice for these times as I have heard! Thank you both!❤️
It seems that the "Boy Problem" left a huge absence for the Forgotten Girls.
Don't take us BACK.
What a fascinating and inspirational show today. Thank you so much for sharing Robert Putnam with us!
I wonder the extent to which this idea of social capital is partially mythologised -- by this metric, America of the 1950s had great social capital, but this was partially by excluding black people and people of differing political convictions from local communal life, and excluding women from public conversation.
I was thinking something similar
60s and 70s were better. Neighborhood groups, PTA, scouts, churches, etc. Now we work so hard to just keep up, no time for social groups. Income inequality is Def huge issue. Tax the rich and give money to start small businesses.
This might be my favorite interview you all have ever done. Bob reaches up to great heights while being firmly grounded. Good ole Bob.
God, I love old academics. It's so nice listening to them.
Thank you so much for featuring Robert Putnam & his new work! He’s been a huge influence on me, and it’s exciting to hear his latest thoughts.
You are more missing a big factor-women are working. Women were joiners, had strong networks. Now, with work, kids, home, family, who has time for PTA and picnics?
WOW! What a conversation. Well done Jon and Bob,,
Fun and promoting Good Character is very good advice.
What a wonderful guest and what a wonderful interview! Jon's joy and admiration was really palpable. What a treat! Interview more of your heroes, please! Also I just love the view scientists take and all the context and bird's eye view of the issues is so wonderful! 10/10 here!
Very popular comment on message boards for parents: “it’s so hard to make friends as an adult!”. Another very popular comment “I HATE going to birthday parties with my kid where I have to stand around in a jovial atmosphere making small talk with other attention starved adults that I have many things in common with and who live near me!” 🤷♀️
In the US we first abandoned villages, then the extended family, and THEN we built Suburban sprawl, and therefore the connection with the soil, and the value of human connections & essential collaboration.
The “unpolarization” seems to depend upon our recognition of our interdependence in order to thrive as a Society… we NEED each other.
And , I absolutely agree that we simply need to honor the fact that ALL of our networks are valid ways of communicating & making connections.
It comes down to understanding the constructive ways of using them AND the responsibility inherent in their use.
I am most grateful for the opportunity of having a much broader world view and the ability to learn from those who I may never get to meet in person, because of this technology we are sharing in the moment.
One day we will comprehend that all media is “Social Media.”
When you make people work longer, and more hours, spend more time in traffic, they have less time for clubs, volunteering, etc. Those activities build connections.
Excellent interview! I just went to my library app to read Dr. Putnam’s books, and I’m happy to see that there’s a waiting list on all of them.
Social capital is also strengthened by acceptance of ours neighbors values aligned universally. Growth across the spectrum of prosperity, all with peaceful discourse and integrity.
I think one of the toughest parts of putting myself in the shoes of someone who disagrees with me on trump is that most times we can’t even agree on basic facts.
I just started canvassing for Harris/walz, and I love it. It’s been life changing talking to strangers who often have very different values and experiences from me. Now I know that’s called “bridging,” and it feels really good.
Amen 🙏 God bless your motivation helping our vice president Kamala to win.. our family will be voting blue all the way against dictator by convicted Don old narcissistic man
I got so much out of this. Thank you for this fascinating interview. It tied together a lot of threads I’ve been thinking about for a long time.