tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30289778.post554876277371500867..comments2023-12-01T00:34:23.424-05:00Comments on Knowledge and Experience: Explaining the Bowling Alone PhenomenonEvelyn Bristerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016286150526911445noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30289778.post-46914995328093982742008-04-29T10:06:00.000-04:002008-04-29T10:06:00.000-04:00Fred, I'm not exactly sure either. Was the perceiv...Fred, I'm not exactly sure either. Was the perceived threat to the Red Scare--and the response to it--a lot like the current perceived threat from Islamic terrorists and our leaders' rhetorical response to it? Is there a difference between a Cold War and a hot one?<BR/><BR/>I've found myself thinking more in terms of cultural responses to perceived threats--whether those responses produce alienation from each other or solidarity. <BR/><BR/>In particular, although I'm no specialist on this, I think that Cold War rhetoric was more about the nation acting in unity, while if you listen to today's talk radio and other political media, the message is that Americans are competing with each other. It is a divisive ethos.Evelyn Bristerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17016286150526911445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30289778.post-7628345294962735812008-04-28T10:35:00.000-04:002008-04-28T10:35:00.000-04:00I haven't read the article, but I'm about 80% of t...I haven't read the article, but I'm about 80% of the way through Putnam's book; he indicates that social capital was very high during the 40s, and peaked in the 50s-60s (during the Red Scare, although he doesn't use that term).<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure how that comports with your theory that social capital declines during period of preceived threats.Fred Goodwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320107750908238687noreply@blogger.com