Rob/Lauren, I see what Lauren is saying with regards to “in a world driven by fear…”. If anything, I’d like to know what neighborhood you live in Rob. I live in one of TX’s master-planned communities and I’ve seen less interaction between neighbors in what is supposedly a neighborhood that increases social interaction expectations. I think people feel safer behind a computer screen. With that said, Rob, I agree that global networking via Twitter, etc., does allow more quality conversations to happen little by little, despite the negativity that sometimes surfaces.

Again, I donlt know where you live. I live in the 7th largest city in the US - and I know my neighbors (may not like them all, but I know them). There is no fear here. And yes, I have borrowed groceries from neighbors - and brought them food when they were ill.

We walk the dogs, kids play in the yards. I think my experience is closer to reality then yours.

Again, I see no signs of “fear” - even when I think I should be seeing them.

You noting church groups, PTA and other declining memberships isn;t a direct correlation with fear - I mean, you are not making that argument are you? And if you are, what facts back it up? Perhaps we are just less religious, less social with our immediate communinity - perhaps, just perhaps, we have found closer social ties in ideology, etc with our online communities then we have with a community that is geographicall based - meening, maybe I found cooler people to hang out with then my neighbors - who, at best have one thing in common with me - a street address.

But to presume these changes are based on fear is a SWAG. And almost certainly a wrong SWAG. IMHO.

Rob

@Geoff - you can do better than that! “many people are fear driven”? Well, many people are driven by the belief they will be reborn with X number of virgins! That doesn’t equate to a country riddled by fear - hell we all stopped talking to our neighbors not after 9/11 - but long before that - when we became more nomadic. We aren;t growing up with the family next door anymore - we move often enough that we don;t get to know our neighbors - we aren;t growing up with them.

But calling that “fear” is not accurate. It is more like, “I don’t care who my neighbors are - my social circles are not defined by my block”. The world has gotten smaller - this is an artifact of that, at best. It isn’t fear.

And I live in San Antonio (well, Castle Hills, but totally surrounded by San Antonio). Three miles from the airport, eight miles from downtown - and people are out and about in my community whenever the weather is nice.

I completely disagree that we are living “in fear”. We may be more private, or more busy - but I don;t see any signs of fear (otherwise why would anyone venture to a mall?)

Rob

It’s that simple. Look at Amanda Chapel, look at North Korea, look at Dick Cheney. It all boils down to two primary emotions fear or love. I know one local CEO who sells “Fear and Opportunity.” He believes in primal leadership (I really don’t agree with him).

Point being, not everyone has the same motive system, and many people live in fear…

Robert Putnam began studying civic engagement decline in the 70’s. He continues to research the impact of electronic networks on social capital formation. Very insightful.

My point is more people are moving their social circles to social media networks/communities, thus making the online social capital pool larger. Fear is only one factor driving people online. I agree an “I don’t care attitude” is also a factor. There are many forces driving people to online communities, but the point is this is a dramatic shift.

Rob, my grandparents used to live in Caste Hills, so I know the neighborhood you are referencing. Many suburban neighborhoods are not like Wisteria Lane.