715: Douglas Rushkoff

In 'Bowling Alone', Robert D. Putnam presents extensive data showing how Americans have become disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and democratic structures. He argues that this decline in social capital has significant negative impacts on physical and civic health. The book explores various factors contributing to this decline, including changes in work, family structure, suburbanization, and the influence of technology such as television and the internet. Putnam also discusses historical precedents and potential solutions for reviving civic engagement and social connections.

In 'Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now', Douglas Rushkoff explores the human response to living in a world where everything happens in real-time. He argues that this 'presentism' has led to a collapse of narrative, displacing the traditional linear continuum of past, present, and future with a succession of moments. Rushkoff discusses how this phenomenon affects various aspects of life, including biology, behavior, politics, and culture, and offers insights into how to transcend the false immediacy of the digital age by favoring quality over speed and human quirks over digital perfection.