None of us are islands. Rugged individualism and prioritizing personal liberty might fuel libertarian wet dreams, but healthy communities require the resources that only come from the commons.

For decades, we’ve stepped back from knowing our neighbors. Gone are the days of party phone lines, nightly walks around the neighborhood, and social connectivity has too often been replaced by surrogates; the glow of television and personal electronic devices, which further alienate and balkanize us. People are social beings and face time with other humans is essential. Continue reading →