In his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Robert Putnam describes how Americans’ increasing isolation has led to a decreasing social capital. Others have documented that despite social media, the average American has fewer strong ties and weak ties. Depression, isolation, and social anxiety have grown as have suicide, addiction and other forms of self harm. One cannot help but wonder if the lack of connection has other affects as well: consider the number of mass shooters who were described as “loners,” and whose social meda posts could often been seen as a cry for attention and the desire to belong to something, anything. 

It is not unrealistic to imagine that much of the political balkanization and vitriol can also be attributed to the contraction of our social circles.

So the question is how to reverse these trends? Joining groups, clubs, and organizations where you encounter different types of people is great way to start. Dancing is a great example of an activity that is extremely social. Making connections doesn’t have to be big either, it could be small too — a conversation at a grocery store or in line for coffee…