If @WeAreTogetherSF has a single goal it's to build diverse "social capital" — a term popularized by @RobertDPutnam that refers to "social networks and the norms of reciprocity associated with them." Do you interact with other people and trust them? (1/6)

As it turns out, formation of social capital is (likely?) on the decline in America. Data on social trust from a piece by @isawhill (2/6)
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sawhill_Social-Capital_Final_07.16.2020.pdf

And data on neighbor-level interactions over the past ~50 years in America: (3/6)

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sawhill_Social-Capital_Final_07.16.2020.pdf

It might feel 'hippie-dippie' to talk about a bunch of neighbors getting along and holding hands. And yes, neighborhoods in America are deeply racially segregated, so what does it mean to get to know your neighbor? (4/6)

But, more recent analysis from @OppInsights and economist Raj Chetty show that strong social capital is a key factor in upward social mobility in America: (5/6)

https://opportunityinsights.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/atlas_paper.pdf

tl;dr meet someone in your city who doesn't look like you. Become friends. You might just change the world.

P.S. @WeAreTogetherSF makes that pretty easy to do. (6/6)