What creates community? Shared stories. Shared stories require three things, two of which are obvious: A story, or any kind of happening, even a small happening, like a game of cards. Some sharing, that is, a group of people who experience the same happening. But a shared story also requires: A first-hand, intimate knowledge that [...]
Tag Archives: Community
What creates community?
by Jon Swerens on April 24, 2008, in City culture, Downtown, Philosophy, Uncategorized
How to talk to strangers
by Jon Swerens on March 29, 2008, in Community
(Jon) Being nice to strangers is never easy and being polite in public never comes without some training. But it’s still shocking how incivility and rudeness have become so common even as technology makes communication easier. Today was communication day at the YLNI Leadership Institute — led by Anthony Juliano of Asher Agency and the [...]
Britney Spears, “American Idol” and the corporate Cassanova
by Jon Swerens on February 2, 2008, in Community, Philosophy
(Jon) Why did Britney Spears hit such a personal and professional low? It’s not a typical Good City question, but I heard the echoes of one of our themes in a story on MSNBC headlined, “Who Can Save Her Image?” Here’s the money quote from Eric Foster White, who co-wrote six songs on Britney’s first [...]
The four saddest words
by Jon Swerens on January 5, 2008, in Community, Theology
(Jon) What are the four saddest words you might hear after church on Sunday? “See you next week!” What a depressing sentiment! We saints gather together every Sunday under one roof. We enter the very sanctuary of God together, we praise Him together, we receive the Word together and share Christ’s body and blood together. [...]
41 books to read in 2008
by Jon Swerens on January 1, 2008, in City culture, Culture
(Jon) My first New Year’s resolution is: Stop buying books. I have enough books on church, culture, cities and community on my shelves to last me at least through December. And they all came highly recommended by those who have a love for the city. Take a look: Home From Nowhere by James Howard Kunstler [...]
Tearing apart the patchwork quilt of society
by Jon Swerens on October 19, 2007, in Culture, Philosophy
In their latest newsletter (PDF), my friends at AB417 lay a smackdown on the Internet: There is no such thing as a cyber community. At best, there already exists a community that perhaps can be enhanced through an online connection. The problem is not the intranet (sic), but a society that sees it fit to [...]
The Good City’s comments policy
by Jon Swerens on January 2, 2008, in Etc.
(Jon) A recent commenter wrote me a private email, saying that if I don’t allow comments from anonymous complainers, that I’m a big sissy chicken girl. (I may be paraphrasing.) That reminds me that I’ve been considering publishing an actual policy on comments here at The Good City instead of keeping it only inside my [...]