Comments for Social Capital Blog

Comment on Does activism make you happy? by Jonathan Rowson

Jonathan Rowson — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:20:17 +0000

If happiness is associated with being in a ‘morally infused’ social network, as you suggest above…

And if activism involves being part of a morally infused social network as as the Kasser and Klar study above suggests…

And if happiness is ‘contagious’ as the Fowler and Christakis study (BMJ 2008) suggests…

And if we all want to be happy…

Wouldn’t it be good if activism was also contagious?

Comment on Young Americans dropping out of religion, other American Grace findings by Putnam/Campbell by Greg

Greg — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:58:10 +0000

Great blog thank you for having it. I really appreciate what you have posted so far and look forward to reading more from you soon. We need more sites like this on the internet. Good, Christian sites proclaiming the word of the Lord. I have a Bible blog that I hope you will check out and let me know what you think. God’s Peace!

Comment on What leads to happiness? by beatcoach

beatcoach — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:58:29 +0000

The article makes it sound as if happiness were a science. Not a chance. For the unhappy, happy people are people who lack the brains to understand they should be unhappy. For the happy, unhappy people are just that – people who made the choice to be unhappy. People who go through life waiting to be made unhappy are rarely disappointed.

Comment on The underworld of Internet trolls by K41N

K41N — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:13:18 +0000

if one gets trolled and takes it serious, it is ones mistake

Comment on Malcolm Gladwell’s new book: The Outliers by Rich

Rich — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:44:30 +0000

One of my music instructors once said, “Practice makes permanent, not perfect”. Then he went on to explain that if you practice your technique incorrectly, that is, without frequent regularity or without the intent to improve your skills such as accepting criticism (not to be confused with attacks) and applying corrective behavior, as mentioned above, in accordance with that criticism, then that is what will become permanent, and you will never master your instrument.”

I recently heard Mr. Gladwell in an interview on CNN and found his views interesting, but not earth shattering revelations.

Comment on Anti-Shyness Spray? by RMPS

RMPS — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:19:06 +0000

Liquid Trust is a perfectly legal spray that contains a tiny amount of oxytocin but nevetherless has helped me noticeably improve my confidence and overcome my shyness when meeting new people.

Comment on Stepped-on toes, sleaze and miscues in the GPS social dance by Jaime

Jaime — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:21:10 +0000

That’s pretty interesting. I also heard of people who are always on facebook are thought to be lonely. Once I heard that it kind put me off to the whole thing. Anyway I love the article.

Comment on Anti-Shyness Spray? by Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Stephen Fitz-Gerald — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:12:15 +0000

I am interested in experimenting with this substance to see if it enhances telepathy,active imagination,and remote viewing.
I just saw the latest Harry Potter movie in which there was featured a potion called “liquid luck”with striking similarities in it’s effects. Seems like a curious synchronistic coincidence…

Comment on Anti-Shyness Spray? by Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Stephen Fitz-Gerald — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:07:05 +0000

I would like to conduct my own experiments with this substance. Is it controlled…legal ?
Where might I acquire it?

Comment on The looming financial crisis and middle class engagement by Heidi

Heidi — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:02:09 +0000

[I know this is a really old post, but couldn't resist]

I must respectfully disagree. The belief that social capital will decrease neglects the fact that a shared experience among members of a class will undoubtedly bring them together. This may take place in the form of going to local parks instead of theme parks, taking public transportation instead of a car, or… brace yourself now… getting frustrated enough to become involved in community government. You’re absolutely right this is where the next political movement will come from, but it will be created because of the displaced social capital, not the complete absence of it.

We cannot overlook the importance of a shared experience in creating social capital, and thus I suspect those in the “new middle class” will migrate towards each other and develop social capital of their own. Instead of loss of identity, I believe this will create new identities (which may be more socially rewarding) that may very well carry them into the next decades.