“Join or Die” Documentary Is Carney in the Coal Mine and Inspires Taking Action


This 90-minute “Join or Die” documentary, based on Robert Putman's classic book “Bowling Alone,” played in Springfield last week. I brought it to the Alamo on March 19 and 20. The movie should be out on DVD toward the end of 2024.

The film explores the decades-long decline in civic infrastructure, and the community connectors that could help mend America’s unraveling democracy.

The movie is entertaining, but it also challenges me to get up off the couch and do something for the betterment of my community. That story doesn’t sell a lot of tickets right now. Just like Putman's book, this movie is the Carney in the coal mine, gasping its last breath and letting us know that we have a social problem that needs all of us to be involved to get fixed. 

Directed by brother-and-sister duo Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis, “Join or Die" is a film about why you should join a club and why the fate of America may depend on it. It traces America's civic unraveling through Putnam’s research and sheds light on our declining sense of community. But the movie ultimately provides a path out of our current crisis of democracy.

Putnam is a great main character; even those woefully uninterested in social science can appreciate the human story at the center of this film about Putman's road to discovery. Beyond that, Putnam's discoveries reveal much about humanity in a democratic society, and it's hard not to latch onto the concepts being presented to us. In short, people don't engage with one another on micro levels as they used to, which has catastrophic macro effects on society.

The movie effectively pulls you out of your seat and into action. You will want to join a club, start a club, or go bowling with a bunch of strangers because it will feel satisfying and something like civic duty.

For many years, I have said that I am not a joiner. Life is busy. My career demands more than 40 hours a week. I have other interests and a family to keep up with, too. At least those have been my excuses for not joining. But I now see the value in joining, not just for my own physical and mental health but also for the sake of my community. 

The movie also does a great job of explaining the value of social capital. I will write more on that in a week or two.

MORE INFORMATION

Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

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