a social question

[zimu]

So i've got this essay to write, and i'm all out of ideas... was hoping i could start some discussion and get some people to throw out ideas as well as any suggestions/ sources i could use for my argument.

question is:

"How can we increase social capital and encourage civic engagement in the new millennium?"

i've started the normal boring paper, but i'm also thinking of writing in an alternate fashion, saying that social capital and civic engagement is NOT necessary, and that we need not increase these....

whatever throws out the best ideas i guess, plus the second idea would be an interesting twist but a lot harder to write.

ideas anyone?

 

[Jfur]

parents with spoiled, whiny children should get their own mini-country and be taxed heavily by us, a foreign power

 

[zimu]

ok seriously now...

what does it take for people to start doing thier civic duties, to help out more in society without compensation, to spend more time with family etc?

 

[gopunk]

not going to happen. nobody will do the stuff without compensation... they have to get something out of it, whether it is personal satisfaction or whatever. our society is very individualistic. focusing on things taht don't bring success will only weaken your ability to succeed like others do. because our society doesn't value family as much as finance, family takes back burner.

 

[Jfur]

<< ok seriously now...

what does it take for people to start doing thier civic duties, to help out more in society without compensation, to spend more time with family etc? >>



sadly, perhaps "wakeup calls" like 9/11 are the only thing that will do it. Look at cultures where there is more cooperation that way and see what is different.

 

[Looney]

what does it take for people to start doing thier civic duties, to help out more in society without compensation, to spend more time with family etc?

If you find the answer let us all know... you'll make this world a better place.

 

[linuxboy]

If you find the answer let us all know... you'll make this world a better place.

see my answer here. I was rambling as usual, but if enough people realize what's going on, they may start caring a little more. I wish I could do more since seeing the somnabulists around me brings me very great pain. In any case, that was just an idea. This problem is as old as humankind, and we're still working on it


Cheers !

 

[linuxboy]

sorry, I didn't answer the original poster. I'm not too bright so I don't understand what "social capital" is. Are you suggesting we use humans as currency and return to days of indenturetude and slavery? :Q

If you mean to ask how we can somehow make a change, the formula is simple. Only a group of determined, like-minded individuals create change for the better. The rest of the people are too busy with their all-important lives to see we are drowning in our own filth (literally in some cases). If you want this executed on a grand social scale, I'm afraid no amount of policy will solve the problem. Decentralization is key.


Cheers !

 

[HOWITIS]

everything is done out of selfishness. just some people get emotional pleasure out of helping (thus the selfish reason).

most people are not like that. its a stupid topic, you shouldn't try and force peeps to do what they obviously do not want to do.

the only way is to make them feel bad/stupid for not helping, which is also disgraceful

 

[Cosmo]

Read "The Plague" by Albert Camus

 

[Ameesh]

i think earning your citinzenship like in startship troopers is a very interesting idea.

 

[TuffGirl]

<< the only way is to make them feel bad/stupid for not helping, which is also disgraceful >>


I agree, humiliation (avoiding it) is a great motivator.