How to Build Social Capital?
- Wed 17th October 2007, 1:22 am
The Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America, an exciting initiative of Professor Robert D. Putnam at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, began in 1996 towards building the Social Capital in United States of America
He has also created a website
http://www.bettertogether.org/
In this website he has listed more than 150 ways to build social Capital.
If we closely assess the measures to be taken and the lifestyle conflicts of today’s world we clearly understand the significance of Web 2.0 Social Networking tools which could enable or kick start the bonding and establish the bridging of Social Capital acquisition in our Society.
Social Capital
- Tue 16th October 2007, 8:49 pm
There is a great degree of variation in lifestyles of communities which are technology deprived and technology abundant. One has enormous knowledge and comfort capital the other has none but the social capital which makes both the societies survive at their best
for one Standard of Living is great for the other Standard of Life is great
but it is with our best efforts that we could make both the worlds compliment on their strengths towards success in their livelihood.
This blog is to explore Community Networking abilities to make both the standard of living and standard of life great for all of us through technology marvels like web2.0.
German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies perceived "community" to be a tighter and more cohesive social entity within the context of the larger society, due to the presence of a "unity of will."
Our Knowledge Capital has acquired technology and comforts thas has provided a paradigm shift in our needs of life. The consequences of our lifestyle has pose some serious threats to our livelihood.
Social Capital Lost to Technology Marvels and Life Style Changes
So engrossed at the technology marvels and lifestyle changes along the course of our growth we have failed to notice that we have drastically lost the social capital which is the most vital fact of being in unity with freedom in this world.
Robert D. Putnam defines Social capital as "the collective value of all social networks (who people know) and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other (norms of reciprocity)." Putnam found that over the past 25 years, attendance at club meetings has fallen 58 percent, family dinners are down 33 percent, and having friends visit has fallen 45 percent in United States.
Now Technology Offers Solutions to Regain Social Capital
Technology which has deprived our concentration to social capital is offering us a solution to recreate and revitalize the social Network. The potential of this technology platform is currently utilized at a greater level by the teens and students. The focus of this network which could create magical results in our community benefits is mostly limited to strangers meeting, dating etc., with few exceptions to some of the european origin networks like Linkedin and Xing where business benefits are associated.
This technology platform which is webnative is popularly known as Web 2.0 and has amazing functions that can reap community magics in making our social neighbourhood a safe and happy one with better understanding of the Society.
The desire for communication within co existing social groups is enormous provided like minded individuals collaborate towards better understanding. People often assume social networking services function to introduce strangers; they often function more prominently to let people who already know each other (or know each other slightly) to communicate more fully.
The core value of the evolution of web 2.0 should be is to recreate the connections at a stronger level for a collaborative and happier living where life is made easy and interesting
McMillan and Chavis identify four elements of "sense of community":
1) membership,
2) influence,
3) integration and fulfillment of needs,
4) shared emotional connection
Sense of Web 2.0
Elements of Web 2.0 for Community Networking
1) Membership - Can Regiter and Provide Accessbility to Members profile for like mindedness
2)Influence - Can Invite and Participate with other Members
3) Integration and fulfillment of Needs - Individual Networking for Shared Interests benefits
4) Collective Strength of Community - Extends to larger community benefits of life.
Beyond all
Web 2.0 Provides Initiatives and enhance communication among neighborhoods to establish communal happiness by ensuring effectiveness in community safety and partnership for a collaborative success in life
Technology is now helping us to unite us lets embrace towards safer and happier united living which is the base of Humanity
Technology is becoming Humane.
Lets explore the various social gaps which are in immediate need of the web2.0 or the social networking engines. We shall also discuss the means to make our people understand and accept it as part of their live towards unity in living for safety and Happiness.
Lets make this world a secure lively and happy place.