JD Vance & Trump's Racist Lies About Haitian Immigrants are Feeding Online Polarization

Robert Putnam, renowned political scientist and author of Bowling Alone and The Upswing, joins Offline to explain why bowling alone and scrolling alone are two sides of the same coin. Putnam has spent his life deciphering why social capital—our connection to each other and our communities—has been withering away for the last 50 years. The consequences of this trend are the focus of a new documentary, “Join or Die,” which explores the importance of civic engagement in America. Bob and Jon talk about the film, why social capital undergirds democracy, and why the internet is no substitute for joining an in-person club.

CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
2:08 - Robert Putnam joins
2:55 - What is social capital?
9:38 - The decline of social capital

Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America—a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission.

[gingermcintosh]

I got nothing. No social network, no friends nearby, I’m a loner. I’m realizing that needs to change. I’m in the process of moving (to save money) and I’m going to lay out a plan to build some networks. I’m autistic and have trouble communicating, but I have to try. Being alone is too hard. Thanks for this.

[MichelleGoldstein-Dresner]

Isn't JD Vance a Senator from Ohio. Shouldn't he be in Ohio helping take care of this "terrible problem" he's talking about?

[chelonnyamidas]

You're watching Friends rather than having friends. That's an excellent point.

[daemon]

This guy might have been the best guest for me in a long while of listening yall. Love it.

[lcflngn]

We had two 50 lb boxes of skittles delivered to our house early yesterday morning, different name, wrong address. My husband called the company that sent them & found out they were meant for a roller derby event a town over the next day. His back is out & he was worried that he couldn’t get them to the arena. I got up, heard the story, remembered the first name of the lovely young woman I’d met at our awesome block party a few weeks ago, that she played roller derby, and their house. Tah dah, problem solved. Yay for getting to know your neighbors!
Highly recommend block parties, so fun, & also so useful.

[ottohart]

Bob is the kind of person that will save America if people listen to him and follow his advice.

[maryblairtaylor]

This is so wonderful to hear right now. He lowers my blood pressure ❤❤

[sharonshelton]

We need to hear more from wonderful people like Bob. His essence is nerdy, kind, passionate, learned, the neighbor next door and so relevant.

[patrickdonohue]

The evangelicals of today don’t honor nor follow Christ’s teachings.

[MarkKeller]

Simply put, more equity and equality, less racism and prejudice.

[mariamcdonald]

Top 5 episode/guest. I love how much love is shown between Jon and Bob- their mutual respect is so clear. Wholesome, non-toxic masculinity in action!

[AzureSkyes]

Excellent interview with some very interesting ideas discussed. Thanks for not interrupting your guest but just letting him talk so that his ideas could be properly explained.

[lovesmusic]

I love this guest. What a beautiful spirit. So much wisdom here.

[daemon]

OMG please have this guy back. I’m gonna get his books but this is brilliant.

[mfavaloro]

I lived in Parma, OH. a Cleveland 'suburb ' for 7 years from the West coast. The neighbors were phenomenal, adopting this recent widow, welcoming me & helping me. Fast forward to a move now to Missouri years later & when i moved in to this suburban neighborhood, my neighbor across the street, A ROMANIAN IMMIGRANT, came over to help me unload my truck.
I'm the token liberal in my'hood', but everyone has been great .
We have an HOA, so there are no flags or signs in yards (thank god)😂
💙💙💙💙💙💙

[kassistwisted]

Reagan made us into a dog-eat-dog world, much like the America of the Gilded Age. Roosevelt solved that. Now we've forgotten that we, as humans, NEED community. Even if we make millions of dollars at our work, we still need the society of other humans to be healthy and happy. There needs to be a levelling.

[Catlvr]

Jon, you and the Pod Save America team have inspired me to run for office in my local area. Thank you for encouraging people to take action and make a difference!

[harriethowell]

Great interview! I am 80 and I agree with your guest. My grandson is almost 11. He watched the debate and had excellent question. The youth will change this world and usher in tolerance and peace. Thanks again for what you do! ❤❤

[danhirtle]

As to the face-to-face effect the professor refers to. I have been to Franklin BBQ in Austin twice in my life. If you've never been, this involves standing in line with total strangers for 2-3 hours. In both cases, once in 2015 (pre Trump) and the other in 2022 (post Covid) the experience was identically wonderful. My son and I conversed with some guys from Philadelphia about hockey, football and soccer the first time, and the second time my wife and I had a lovely talk with a couple from Boston over kids, jobs, family and travel. In neither case did politics come up for an instant. We haven't lost our ability to communicate and get along, we're just out of practice. Great interview. Thanks.

[HazelwithaZ]

When covid lockdown first started, I saw a boy sitting outside his friend's bedroom window with an xbox controller in his hands. They were playing together but still socially distancing, and it warmed my heart. We want to be together. ❤