JEANNE’S REVIEW

Is it absurd to believe that joining a club could save democracy? Harvard professor and social scientist Robert D. Putnam, author of the wildly successful research book, “Bowling Alone”, is convinced this is exactly what all Americans need to do.

Directed and produced by siblings Rebecca and Pete Davis, the documentary JOIN OR DIE explores this hypothesis. Since the 1970s there has been a significant decline in the number of Americans who have participated in meetings of any kind --- or taken any type of leadership role. And shockingly there has also been an even greater drop-off in the number of picnics attended annually. Who knew?

And it comes as no surprise to learn that since the 1960s, religious memberships of all kinds have also declined. Bowling leagues have become almost extinct. People are spending more and more time alone --- and isolated --- exacerbating our social decline.

These trends are causing social scientists to search for explanations and Putnam has been at the forefront of this research. He’s masterful at weaving his findings into illuminating stories which he shares with audiences all around the U.S. He’s written 14 books, but it was “Bowling Alone” that set him on a path to national fame.

In 2012, Putnam was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama. As it becomes more and more apparent that our social fabric is disintegrating, interest in Putnam’s work is increasing. JOIN OR DIE does spotlight six community groups which are focusing on revitalizing American civic life.

The Davises utilize interviewees from all walks of life, including Putnam, Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, Raj Chetty, Priya Parker and Eddie S. Claude, Jr.

All these participants --- and more --- are plagued by the questions: “What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And --- “What can we do about it?” The answer seems to be “Join Up!”

                    In theaters Friday July 19th

Opinion: See It Now!

DAVID’S REVIEW

Have you ever noticed the dearth of bowling alleys in America? I know, a strange way to start a movie review. JOIN OR DIE is a documentary that discusses the decline of organizations in our country, like clubs and other former strongholds of community togetherness, i.e. churches, PTAs and yes, bowling alleys, which have a harmful impact on our democracy.

All of the above have seen a steady drop and many people attribute this to technology changes like social media and the fact that faces are buried in cell phones much of the time. Author, social/political scientist and Harvard professor Robert Putnam is the focal point of JOIN OR DIE, as is his book “Bowling Alone”.

His writing has been a key source for influential people who see wisdom in discussing what to do with an American society leaning ever so steadily away from democratic ideals. This group includes the likes of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Barack Obama and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. It was Obama who awarded Putnam the prestigious National Humanities Medal for his efforts to re-invigorate American society. Putnam coined the phrase “social capital” which means essentially --- how many friends do we really have?

Putnam was personally very affected when, as a young married man, he witnessed John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech in which the former president passionately declared “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” When an interviewer brings up JFK’s name in the film, Putnam tears up at the memory of that speech and states, “It was the arc of my life”.

JOIN OR DIE gives concrete examples of the decline in various types of community groups. From the 1960s to the 2020s, religious congregation memberships fell 35 per cent. Union membership from the 1960s to the 2010s fell 66 per cent. From the 1970s to the 1990s there was a 50% decline in the number of times Americans attended a club meeting the prior year. And in that same time frame, there was a 60% drop in picnics attended annually.

JOIN OR DIE, directed and produced by the sister and brother team of Rebecca and Pete Davis, won a slew of awards at various film festivals around the country. But now the Davises have the ability to reach many more viewers through theatrical release.

Ergo, do the country a favor --- dig out your old bowling shoes and join a league, so you won’t be “bowling alone”.

                    In theaters Friday July 19th

Opinion:  See It Now!