Tom Lowe
July 4, 2000
A new book by Robert Putnam of Harvard provides us with some useful clues to improving our state, but only if we are willing to accept the highly unflattering position of Mississippi in the ranking of states by social capital. If, as Dr. Putnam implies, economic prosperity is dependent upon social capital, perhaps Mississippi has been putting the cart before the horse. Read the article.
In 1978, a small group of forward-looking Chicagoans came together to found the Center for Neighborhood Technology. As their experience has grown, their vision has also grown with it. They are now an influential organization, both in the Metro Chicago area, but also nationally. We could be learning from them.
Visit the CNT web site
Visit the Pratt Institute Center web site. PICCED is located in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Visit the PICCED links page. This is one of the best links collections we have seen on community and environmental development.
U.S. Science Policy - Making it Accountable to the People Affected On October 7th, 1998 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring that "Unlocking Our Future," a new report prepared by the House Science Committee, should "serve as a framework for future deliberations on congressional science policy and funding." Here is a critical view by Richard Sclove of the Loka Institute, author of Technology and Democracy. Sclove argues that for science and technology to serve the common good they must be made responsive to democratically-decided priorities. There is much food for thought here.
Read a Loka Institute Alert: Defining Public-Interest Research (7/9/99)