Re: Anti-Social Americans
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
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