Re: Anti-Social Americans | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Sofistic (Sofisticaol.com) | |
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 22:00:41 -0400 |
In a message dated 95-08-03 15:56:02 EDT, King Collins writes: >For me, the point is that neighborhood living for most Americans is very >limited, not much communication, few shared potlucks and meals, almost >never shared projects of any size. > >Except during disasters. In times of extreme stress and disaster, >neghborhoods suddenly come together and people share everything and express >their thoughts and feelings clearly and passionately to each other. >Suddenly life becomes more soical, more real and for most people, those >share moments of disaster are high points in their lives. > > IMHO, the crux of the matter goes something like this: "What is it that makes community?" I know people who find it impossible to live in a small town because they have no anonymity; I find others who find themselves "lost in a sea of humanity" in a large city. In each case, though, the common denominator is a sense of self. In the first case, above, people find their "ego-boundaries" (for lack of better words) are invaded by the closeness - and sometimes invasiveness - of a small community. In the second case, the sense of self is so fragile (God, I can't believe I am talking this way) that it is overwhelmed by too much input. In short: do you define your self as a member of a group or as an independent entity? Do I dare dredge up the "Inner/Other directed" paradigm? Somehow this all relates to Durkheim's "Organic" vs. "Mechanical" solidarity. It also relates to Pareto's 'Taxonomy of sentiments" and to Weber's analysis of "Oikios." Thoughts? Barry -------------------------------------------- Barry Savage Humboldt [at] aol.com The Humboldt Institute P.O. Box 3578 Eureka CA 95502 USA Using the Power of Research For Community Empowerment --------------------------------------------
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Anti-Social Americans Harry Pasternak, August 2 1995
- Re: Anti-Social Americans King Collins, August 3 1995
- Re: Anti-Social Americans Sofistic, August 3 1995
- Re: Re: Anti-Social Americans Harry Pasternak, August 3 1995
- RE: Anti-Social Americans Rob Sandelin, August 4 1995
- Re: Anti-Social Americans Fred H Olson WB0YQM, August 4 1995
- Re: Anti-Social Americans Fred H Olson WB0YQM, August 4 1995
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