IOP Pritzker Fellow Nancy French on "Why You Don’t Have Friends"

THIS SEMINAR IS OPEN TO CURRENT UCHICAGO STUDENTS ONLY

Monday, February 23

12:30-1:45pm

Writing for “the right” gave me a political and social cache in rural Tennessee amongst my fellow Republicans. My husband received the Ronald Reagan award at CPAC in 2012, where our family was said to represent the “best” of the conservative movement. That was the last time we’d be welcomed at CPAC, and my own personal relationships melted away once I decided not to support Donald Trump. Let’s explore the growing loneliness epidemic in America and the decline of everyday community life - and how this collapse has elevated our tribal loyalties above our collective identities as Americans. How has social capital - our networks of trust, shared activities and civic participation eroded over the last half-century? How can we as mere citizens rebuild social connection?

Suggested Readings:

• Bowling Alone | Robert Putnam
• Robert Putnam Knows Why You’re Lonely | Lulu Garcia-Navarro via The New York Times
• The Belonging Barometer | Over Zero & The American Immigration Council

Pritzker Fellows seminars are off the record and open to current UChicago students only. Seating in the IOP Living Room is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Ella Kumano-Maloney (ikmaloney@uchicago.edu).