‘More people in America watch ‘Friends’ than have friends.’

“Leading American sociologist Robert Putnam made this semi-serious claim in a talk he gave recently to a large audience at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Professor Putnam cites public health research which shows that people who are socially isolated are as much at risk of death as people who smoke.

Robert Putnam is the author of the term ‘social capital’, which refers to community bonds and interpersonal connections. These, he argues, are just as

important for the public good as economic wellbeing.

His bestselling book Bowling Alone: The Decline and Revival of American Community described how on many measures social capital has declined dramatically since the 1970s. Putnam analysed factors such as membership of voluntary organisations, how often people went on picnics, and levels of

philanthropy, and found sharp declines on all fronts.” abc.net.au