Robert Putnam in his award-winning book Bowling Alone recalls the work of Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America, who observes early Americans as having a unique experience of forming associations that take on a multitude of civic and political challenges.
Putnam argues that these associations create important social capital in America that is foundational to the success of our democratic republic, and, unfortunately, though some disagree, we have witnessed an erosion of this capital in recent years.
Data does show that Americans are experiencing a decline in community and connectedness to friends. This decline may be a cause of the deterioration of mental health in American children, according to one study.
Social connectedness is important as Tocqueville noted.
Mounting evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to reveal the invaluable connectedness of face-to-face interactions over mere digital-only links.
I would argue that we need a new “American Hour,” an hour set aside during the week or weekend that we mutually agree to hold open for friends and family to drop by our house, gather together in a pub, or meet for a donut or ice cream for in-person, face-to-face interactions.
In college, my university (Tennessee Tech) had a special block of time from 11 AM to Noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays that we called “Dead Hour.” No classes were to be scheduled during this time, which protected time for students to meet and socialize through a variety of associations.
This American Hour would serve a similar purpose. Suppose we all agree that on Sunday evenings from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, we will be open to having guests visit our homes, friends invite us for a beer, or acquaintances buy us a donut or ice cream. We collectively agree to hold this time each week open to random acts of kindness, drop-by visits, and pop-in conversations.
I’m not suggesting we legislate such a time, but rather simply that we build it into our culture. Our American culture–one that Tocqueville would recognize.
Be on the lookout! I might drop by next Sunday at 5:00 PM.
