t’s been a tough economy, and recently the unemployment level topped six percent. We typically think about unemployment in its short-term consequences, but there are also long-term impacts on individuals and their connection to the community. There’s new long-term research that shows a layoff early in your career makes you more less likely to become […]

When you think about globalization: Do you see yourself (or your country) competing against people from other countries? Do you see opportunities to connect with others? (partners, customers/clients, vendors, or suppliers) Your answer matters, and it may even shape your future. The old paradigm of “first-world, second-world, and third-world” will soon be relegated to history […]

The Economist’s Gulliver blog pointed me towards the following interesting gem: According to a study conducted for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, 35% would choose their PDA over their spouse–if they absolutely had to choose. Now, maybe that sobering statistic says something about the overall level of marriage satisfaction (and divorce rates) within contemporaty society. In […]

On Monday, a friend of mine, Marie, had her home broken into. I’d like to share her story, because it illustrates many positive points within social capital. Marie is not wealthy. She owns her own home, but she lives paycheck-to-paycheck, slightly above the poverty line. She’s the sort of person who lives frugally and manages […]