Cohousing-L Mailing List: Introduction and question

[Sofistic (Sofistic]

Greetings:

I have been lurking on this list for about a week, and I would like to
introduce myself.  I am in the process of developing a research institute to
provide information and training to people involved in community development.

I am a sociologist by trade, and as I grow older I find my questions get
simpler.  I'm not quite certain if that is a result of entropy or wisdom.
 Anyway, for several years now, I have had this nagging question that seems
to be at the crux of a declining sense of community, and absurdly simple:
 When did all the front porches disappear from houses, to be replaced by
garage doors?

It was long before violence in the streets, and it was long before
"cocooning" became a buzzword.  It began in the 'burbs, but where and when?
 At first it seemed like a stupid question, but now it seems like turning
point in the alienation felt in industrial (post?) societies.

Go figure. :-/
Barry
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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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