School performance, public health, crime rates, clinical depression, tax compliance, philanthropy, race relations, community development, census returns, teen suicide, economic productivity, campaign finance, even simple human happiness - all are demonstrably affected by how (and whether) we connect with our family and friends and neighbours and co-workers.

Young Americans are dropping out of religion at an alarming rate of five to six times the historic rate.

Community connectedness is not just about warm fuzzy tales of civic triumph. In measurable and well-documented ways, social capital makes an enormous difference in our lives...Social capital makes us smarter, healthier, safer, richer, and better able to govern a just and stable democracy.

How well you do in life shouldn't depend on how well your parents did.

What really matters from the point of view of social capital and civic engagement is not merely nominal membership, but active and involved membership.

None of the people watching 'Big Brother' will bring you chicken soup if you get sick.

Positive people have more friends which is a key factor of happiness and longevity.