Communication and You

Researching my Edmonton-in-the-depression project, I was stunned by the lack of distance exhibited between people of the day, a closeness increasingly magnified by the hardened economic times. Beyond even the artificially-brightened fuzzy lens one often views the 'good ol' days' with, a certain sense of shared responsibility existed, an element largely excised, or at least deeply repressed, in our current system. Modern communication and global travel have almost completely destroyed this feeling, as many no longer feel paramount allegiance to any particular nation, location or culture. At the risk of sounding like an overly PC 'FAMILY AND COMMUNITY VALUES ARE DISINTEGRATING' atavist, we need that feeling, for at least a couple more generations. 'The Garneau Block' was an evocative example of this rally-around-each-other sentiment, though any observer can agree that it seems a far departure from the Edmonton standard. Forced anonymity of the crowd/neighbors becomes a shield, from behind which not many can truly empathize. Stories of starving people getting foodstuffs from neighbors, not underfunded centralized foodbanks, were a revealing statement on society, about how person-to-person familiarity breeds social stability, or at the very least, weaves a safety net we can all fall back on. So, in essence, talk to that person beside you on the bus, or in the next apartment. You never know if he'll be the one with all the potatoes next depression.