Friday, March 20, 2015

Democracy requires shared experiences..I think

But the opportunity for shared experiences is decreasing.

Examples:

Public Schools...the growth of religious schools, teach at home, plus charter schools reduces the requirement that everyone share the years of childhood with  children from all social, ethnic, and economic classes

Sports events...skyboxes separate the rich or celebrity from the public

Gated communities...riding through new..often..more expensive..neighborhoods was a Sunday afternoon family experience

Museums...at least in Washington where all the Federally supported museum are free remain equally accessible

Golf and tennis ..private clubs

Travel...increase in private car travel over public transportation...huge increase in use of private planes... and no scheduled airlines increase in separation of first class from other classes...the closing of the curtain between first class and coach always made me uncomfortable no matter which side I was on...

Military service...volunteer military makes military service mostly an economic decision rather than a patriotic one

TV and Internet...enables isolated enjoyment of  drama and art and sports...pre TV required getting out...plus virtual travel eliminates the interaction of travel

Voting...vote by mail..advance voting etc reduce the interaction with neighbors at pooling stations.

Climate control...isolates people within housing...less sitting on porches bringing neighbors into interactions.

Mega-churches might be a counter trend...or might just be reinforcing of similar world views

Wealth distribution by the economy...

Education distribution as a result of wealth distribution