599. The World's Most Valuable Unused Resource
Freakonomics Radio
Volunteering: A Slow Erosion of Commitment
After the events of September 11, 2001, a surge in volunteering was observed, with nearly 30% of Americans participating in formal volunteer activities. However, this sense of community and unity began to wane, resulting in a gradual decline in volunteering rates starting around 2010-2011. The decrease occurred so subtly that it often went unnoticed, akin to the metaphor of a frog adjusting to gradually heated water. As of 2021, volunteering rates in the US have reached their lowest point in recorded history over the past 50 years, highlighting an enduring downward trend in civic engagement.
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