Community Quote by Ben Hewitt
““(On producer/consumer relationship in subsistence farming) This is the sort of interconnectedness that once defined every outpost across our emerging nation. But outposts grew into towns, towns grew into cities, and cities grew into metropolises, necessitating a push into resource bases far beyond these population centers. Even as this occurred, the conveniences of modern life--electricity, indoor plumbing, the automobile--took hold, further eroding any sense of shared responsibility for the community's survival. From the standpoint of our most basic needs, we became islands unto ourselves, despite the ever-increasing population density.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Rural Sociology, 2018
Modern conveniences have turned once interdependent communities into isolated individuals, weakening collective responsibility for survival.
In simple terms: Modern life isolates people, reducing community responsibility.
Recognize and foster local interdependence.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- rural development
- urban planning
- community building
- policy making
- education programs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we rebuild shared responsibility in dense urban areas?
- What policies encourage local interdependence?
Isolation can increase vulnerability to crises and reduce mutual aid.